Places

Since the novel is about a journey, the setting changes with nearly every chapter. The story begins in the village of Much-Trembling, set deep in the Valley of Humiliation. Its inhabitants are a combination of Shepherd's servants and those who despise the Shepherd. The first setting change is when the Shepherd leads Much-Afraid through the fields of the Valley to the base of the mountain. Much-Afraid climbs with her companions, Suffering and Sorrow, who then lead her into the desert, also called the Furnace of Egypt. There are great pyramids in the desert where the Shepherd takes Much-Afraid to learn many lessons. After the desert, Much-Afraid walks for a long time on the Shores of Loneliness with the sea on one side and the desert on the other. In order to cross the sea, Much-Afraid must climb over the windy Old Sea Wall to reach the woods on the other side.

The Great Precipice Injury is a massive, steep rock face Much-Afraid must scale in order to reach the High Places. However, when she reaches the top, she must first walk through the Forests of Danger and Tribulation where there are vicious, blustering storms. For several days, Much-Afraid waits out a storm in a hut nestled in the forest. After the storm, Much-Afraid and her companions walk through a deep, dark mist to reach the Valley of Loss, which is actually quite pleasant with beautiful fields and colorful flowers everywhere. The Shepherd brings Much-Afraid to the Place of Anointing and places her before the Altar of Love. Much-Afraid then travels to a chasm that is to be her Grave on the Mountains where she makes her final sacrifice. After washing in the Healing Streams, Much-Afraid finally reaches the High Places and the Realm of Love.