Salvation By Langston Hughes Essay

LangstonHughes'Salvation

Inmostpeople'slives,therecomesapointintimewheretheirperceptionchangesabruptly;asingle momentintheirlifewhentheycometoasuddenrealization.InLangstonHughes''Salvation', contrarytoallexpectations,ayoungHughesisnotsavedbyJesus,butissavedfromhisown innocence.

'Salvation'isthestoryofayoungboywhohasanexperienceofrevelationWhileattendingachurch revival,hecomestothesuddenrealizationthatJesuswillnotphysicallycomesavehim.

Inthefirstthreesentencesoftheessay,thespeakeradoptsaverychildlikestyleHemakesuseof simplewordsandkeepsthesentencesshort,similarinstyletothatofanearlyagedteenager.But sincethetextshowmorecontent

(182)prayingatthechurch,orhearthesoundof?mightywailofmoansandvoices?(182).Anditis almostimpossiblenottofeelthewarmthcontainedinthe?hot,crowdedchurch?(181).Inshort,the techniqueusedbyHughesissettoputthereaderinthesameambiancetheyoungboyisin,thus givingusacloserlookathisinnocence.

Theinnocenceshownbytheyoungboyatthebeginningofthestorycanbeattributedtomany factors,themainreasonbeinghisAuntieReed.Shegoesontalkingfordaysaboutthebigrevival. Justlikeanyotherkidwould,Hugheslistensandbelievesword–for–wordwhathisaunttellshim:? ShesaidyoucouldseeandhearandfeelJesusinyoursoul.?(181)Thisnaiveteischaracteristicof youthsofthatagegroup.Afterall,he?heardagreatmanyoldpeoplesaythesamething?(181)and itseemedtohim?theyoughttoknow?(181)Withallthehypeandanticipationsurroundingthis event,Hughesiscertainsomethingisboundtohappen.Hisdisappointmentismanifestedwhenhe doesnotliterallyseeJesus.Fromwhathehasbeentold,Hughesisexpectingtoseeahuman incarnationofJesus.Heisactuallymorethanjustexpectingtoseehim;hebadlywantstobesaved! SeeingWestleygiveupsocarelessly,triggersanawkwardfeelinginsideofHughes.Thethought thatJesusisnotgoingtoshowupafterallisstartingtogrowThatleadshimtoeventuallygiveup andjoinWestleyinlying.Itisonlyatnightthathecomes

...Getmorecontent...

"Seeingisbelieving."ThisidiomisacommonsayingintheWesternculture,andknownbypeople ofallages.However,thisismorethanjustasayingforsomebutaphilosophyoflife.Specifically, childrentendtoresonatewiththisidiom.Adultsdonotseemtounderstandjusthowharditisfor youthtobelieveinsomethingthatisnotapartofthevisibleworld."Salvation"byLangstonHughes isaprimeexampleofhowsomechildrenreceivetheunseenworld,specificallyahigherpower Hughesatayoungageisforcedbyhisaunttogotoherchurchforarevival.Thethentwelve–year–oldistoldthathewillseealightandfeelJesus'presencefromthereonout.Attherevival,the younggirlsinthegroupofchildrenclaimtobesavedimmediatelyOnlyyoungLangstonand anotherboyareleftwaitingtoexperienceasignfromChrist.Westley,theotherboy,decidesheis goingtolieandsayheissaved.Hughesisleftonthealterbyhimself,whichleaveshimpressured tolie.Thiseventcausestheyoungboynottobelieveinahigherbeingbecausehehasnophysical evidenceofone.Physicalevidencemeaningwhatadultstoldhimhewouldexperienceduring salvationMakingchildrenconformtoreligiousideaspushesthemawayfromfaith,losesthe messagethatreligiontriestospread,allwhileneglectingothers'experiencesofspirituality.Tobegin with,forcingchildrenintoacceptareligionofanydenominationcanpotentiallyleadtoopposition offaith ...Getmorecontent...

LangstonHughesSalvationEssay

IntheshortstorySalvationbyLangstonHughes,Hughestalksabouthisfirsttimebeingsaved.

Langstonbelievedthatoncehegotsaved,hewouldseeGodandhaveaspiritualfeelingflow throughhimashisauntmadehimbelieve.Butonthenightoftherevivalathisaunt'schurch,he didn'tseeGodorfeelanydifferent.Butthatdidn'tstopLangstonfromgoinguptotheAltertobe savedHedidn'tgouptobesavedbecausehewantedto,butbecausehewasforcedThechurch madethedecisionthatallchildrenmustcomeuptotheAlterandnoonewouldleavethechurch untileverychildhadbeensaved.ForcingLangstontobesavedchangedLangston'sbelieftoward GodLangstonnolongerbelievedGodexistsimplybecausenothingsuperspiritualhappenedwhich to...showmorecontent...

Forsomepeoplethismaybeacceptable,butformostbeingtoldwhenyou'regoingtobesaved weatherreadyornotcanbetraumatic,causingyoutoquestionsyou'rebelief/religion.Sadlythisis notthecaseforonChristianhouseholdsbuthouseholdofmanyreligions.Inmostcasesmany childrenaretoldwhatreligiontheyareexpecttobelieveinandwhentheywillpracticethebeliefs ofthatspecificreligion.ForexampleinLangston'scasewhenallthekidswhohadnotbeensaved, wereaskedtogouptotheAlterattherevivaltobesaved.Mostofthosekidsprobablyhadnoidea whatitreallymeanttobesaved.IrememberwhenIwasachildandIwentuptobesavedforthe firsttime,Ihadnoideawhatwasgoingon.Ijustfiguredthepastorwasprayingformebutitwas muchdeeperthanthat,atthatmomentIhadacceptedGodintomylifewithoutknowingthetrue meaningforit.Myexperiencewasn'tastraumaticasLangstonbutIdidn'ttakeitasseriousasI shouldhave.UnlikenowthatIamolderandIunderstandwhatitmeanstobesavedandwhyIchose tobe

...Getmorecontent...

IntheshortstorySalvationbyLangstonHughes,Hughesdescribersatimewhenhisauntandthe peopleofthechurchpredictedLangstonwouldbesaved,notinGod'stimingbutintheirown timing.Asaresult,LangstonquestionedifGodwasreal.Believeitornot,mostofushavehadan experiencewhereourlovedonesorsomeonewe'velookuptoholdsusaccountabletomaintaina certainimageorexpectationToavoidhurtingtheone'swelove,wedowhateverittakestoliveup tothisexpectationevenifithurtsus,asinLangston'scase.Langstonbeganthestorytalkingabout therevivalathisAuntReed'schurch,atthisrevivalallthechildrenwhohadnotyetbeensaved wouldbeLangstonseemedexcitedtofinallybesavedIbelievethisexcitementcameshowmore content...

AccordingtoLangston,hisauntexplainedthatoncehewassaved;hewouldseeGodandfeelthe HolyGhost.Speakingfromexperience,youdoinfactfeeltheHolyGhostonceyouaresaved.But asfarasseeingGod,noonehasorwillseeGoduntilhereturnstoearthattheendoftimeoryou meethiminheavenButLangstonbeingonlytwelveyearsoldbelievedhewouldseeGodWhichis expected,anytwelveyearoldwhodoesn'tknowmuchaboutbeingsavedorthewordofGodwould believeit.LangstonexplainshowhewaitedtoseeGod,asifoncehesawGodthatmeanthewas saved.ButLangstonneversawGod,hewaitedandwaitedbutneversawhisface.Sowhenitcame timeforthechildrentogouptotheAltertobesaved,Langstondidn'twantedtogo.Whenhefinally wentup,itwasn'tbecausehefeltleadto,butbecausehefeltpressuredAsidefromthechurch servicegoingonlongerthanexpectedbecauseofLangston'sdilemma;Langstonwassurroundedby deacons,prayingmothersofthechurch,andhisauntsobbingathisfeet.Nowifyoueverbeentoa Christianchurch,onceyouaresurroundedbythedeaconsandprayingmothersyouwillnotleave that

...Getmorecontent...

LangstonHughes'shortessay,"Salvation,"isacontroversialyetinterestingstorythatbringsmany conflictsbetweenpeopleinsociety.Hediscusseshispersonalpointofviewabouthisreligious experience.Althoughreligionhasimpactedmanypeoplethroughouttheyears,itisstillan extremelydebatabletopic.Manypeoplebelievethatifyougotochurchyou'llbegoodfortherest ofyourlifeandjustbecauseyouconvincethemaskidtobehaveacertainway,itwillstopthem frommakingpoorchoices,butitdoesnotalwaysworkthatway.Religionhashistoricallybeena problemforsolong;ithasdividedhumanityinsomanyways.Thisstoryrepresentshowmuch religioncanusefeartogainpower,butitalsobringsasenseofhopeshowmorecontent Hegoesintodepthabouthopingforsomethingtohappen,anything.Heexpresseshimselfofwhat wasgoingthroughhimexcitedlyforexampletheauthorsays,"SoIsattherecalmlyinthehot, crowdedchurch,waitingforJesustocometome."(182)Hedescribeshissituationattemptingto makesomesortofrelationshipwithGod.Hecreatesananxioustoneinordertodemonstratejust howimportanthavingaconnectionwasvaluabletohimWhyhavingaconnectiontoGodwas importantatthattimeisbecausebeforethebigrevivalwasovertheycalledthekidstoconvert them.Whenitwastimetobringhisspiritualneeds,hewastoldbyhisaunt"whenyouweresaved yousawalight,andsomethinghappenedtoyouinside!AndJesuscameintoyourlife!...Ibelieved her."(182)Hughespunctuationcreatesanethostoneofvoicebybeingpersuadedbyhisaunt.The authormayemploypathosthroughhisemotionallanguageThisrhetoricalappealisoftenusedto emphasizehisemotionalresponsetowardshowhefeelsaboutbeing"saved."Theoutpouringofhis emotionstowardsgetting"saved"wasabigconcernthathewastryingtoachieve.Heimplicated hownotonlywasheexpectedtobetouchedbythepresenceofGod,buteveryotherkidhisage Thisishowthewriterwasdiscussingabouthimbeingopenabouttheideaofbeing"saved."3–WhiletheideaoffindingGodistodirecttheyouthontherightpath,itseemslikeit'smostlydone

...Getmorecontent...

TheshortessaybyLangstonHughestakesplaceinKansasduringtheyear1915.Langton'smother hadleftandwentnorthinsearchofajob.Meanwhile,hisfatherabandonedthefamilyandwentto Mexico,withnoplansoncomingback.LeavingLangstontolivewithhisgrandmother.However, afterhisgrandmother'sdeath,MaryandJamesReedtookLangstoninandbegantoraisehimasif heweretheirownIn"Salvation",focusingonaspecifictraumaticevent,Hughesdescribesthe memoryofhisauntandarevivalheldatherchurch,touchingontopicssuchasfamilypressureand peerpressurealike,fearofdisappointingorbeingadisappointment,rightfromwrong,andtheguilt experiencedduringtheaftermathPressurefromadultsaswellasshowmorecontent Duringtherevivalservice,despitehowhardhetries,Langstoncouldnotseemto'see'Jesuswhichis theonlyqualificationheneedstobe'saved'."WhatwasIsupposedtodo?PretendlikeWestley?"

LangstonobservesthatWestleynever'saw'Jesusnorwastruly'saved'.Infact,theonlyreasonhe stoodupandrushedthealterwastonolongerhavetositontheMourners'Bench.Westley technicallyliedunderthedefinitionLangstonhadknownalietobeWashetolieaswell?"Ibegan towonderwhatGodthoughtaboutWestley,whocertainlyhadnotseenJesuseither,butwhowas nowsittingproudlyontheplatform,swinginghisknickerbockerlegsandgrinningdownatme, surroundedbydeaconsandoldwomenontheirkneespraying.GodhadnotstruckWestleydeadfor takinghisnameinvainorforlyinginthetemple.So,Idecidedthatmaybetosavefurthertrouble, I'dbetterlie,too,andsaythatJesushadcome,andgetupandbesaved"Bysharingthisthoughtin detail,Hughesdemonstrateshispointofviewfromachild'sperspectivethatoftengetslostwhen lookingthatthebiggerpicture.Hisauntandtherestofthecongregationonlywantedwhatwasbest forhimSadly,thatintentiongotovershadowedandbecameoneofstandardtoLangstonSaying, throughtheiractionsof"mightywailsofmoansandvoices",thisisthe

...Getmorecontent...

SalvationByLangstonHughes

"Salvation"byLangstonHughesisatrue–lifedramainhischildhood.Herevealshowhewas pressurizedtoseeJesus.HewastoldbyhisauntReedandpreachers,ifheseesalighthewillbe savedfromsinandJesuswillcometohislife.Hehasbeenwaitingbutnothinghappenedevenhe andaboyWestleyleftwaitingforlight.Aftersometime,Westleytoldalieandleft.Now,hewas allalonethereandeveryonewantshimtosayhealsosawthelightHedidn'tseeanythingbutdue tothepressureofpeoplehealsosaidhehaswatchedthelightandsavedfromsin.Now,everybody washappyandshoutingbuthewasashamedandhashisbelievetoJesusbecausehedidn'tsee

...Getmorecontent...

InLangstonHughesshortstorySalvationAgrowing12yearoldboyfromJoplin,Missouri, experiencesthehardshipoffacingreligiousexpectationsthathisfamilyholds.Asaddeningstory thatnotonlyemotionallytorehimdownbutintheprocessstrengthenedhisreligiousbeliefsHughes findsclarityasaresultofalie.InoneofthelastlinesofSalvationHughesexpresseshisfeelingof beingalonecryingthewords"Icried,Icried,inbedalone,andcouldn'tstop"Whichcomesasa resultofhimlyingtohisauntandtherestofthecongregation.Theoverwhelmingpressureandhis expectationtocometoJesusandthelightaseveryotherchildhaddonebeforehimhadtakenatoll onHughesHughestakingeverywordliterallyasmost

...Getmorecontent...

LangstonHughes'sSalvation

InLangstonHughes'sshortstoryentitled"Salvation"hediscussesaboutthefirsttimeheisgoingto besavedfromsin.Thestorytakesplaceonthenightofthebigrevival,Langston,ayoungboy aroundtheageofthirteen,wasbroughttohisauntReed'schurchtoseeJesusandbesavedfromsin. AuntReedhadtoldhimthatifhewassavedhewouldseealight,meaningJesushadcomeintohis lifeLangstonbelievedherAlso,hehadheardotheradultsmentionthesamelightSohesatin church,waitingtoseethismysteriouslightandforabigchange.SinceThepreacher'ssermonwas verypowerful.Hiswordsmadesomeyounggirlscry,andrushtothepreachertobesaved. However,manycontinuedtositandwaitEvenaftermanyadultsprayedatthechildren'sfeet,the narratorrefusedtomoveuntilhesawJesus....showmorecontent...

Westleywhisperedthathewastiredofsittingthereforawhile,Westleydecidedtogetupandbe savedasifhehadseenthelight,sohemightbesavedtoo.Thoughhisauntcontinuedtoprayfor him,nothinghappened.Hecouldnotunderstandthisandfeltashamed.HewonderedwhatGod thoughtofWestley;Godhadnot,afterall,punishhimforlyingSothenarratordecideditmight makelesstroubleifhe,too,liedaboutseeingJesus.Sohestoodup,andthewholecongregation burstintoshoutsofjoy.Forthefirsttimeinhislife,laterthatnight,hecried.Whenhisauntheard, shebelievedthetearswerecausedbytheHolyGhost,butthenarratorwascryingbecausehecould notbeartotellherhehadliedtoherandthecongregation.NotonlyhadhenotseenJesus,the wholeexperiencelefthisbeliefin

...Getmorecontent...

WhatIsTheThemeOfSalvationByLangstonHughes

Therearefewaspectsofourlivesmoreintimatelypersonalthanourfaith.Thefoundationofour moralcompass,itispainstakinglyshaped–chiseled–byourboundlessexperiences.Rarely absolute,itscomplexityaddstoitsfervency."Salvation"byLangstonHughesspeaksofthesingular experiencethatisone'sfaiththroughtheeyesofayoungboy.Asa12–year–old,heattendsarevival athisAuntieReed'schurchLikemostchildren,heisobligatedtoparticipateand,onthelastnight, isparadedtothefrontofthechurchwithalltheotherchildren.Hehasrepeatedlybeentoldthat, "whenyou[are]savedyou[see]alight,andsomethinghappen[s]toyouinside"(paragraph2)and, therefore,takesthisdirectionliterally,expecting

...Getmorecontent...

MelodyWhalinMs.HakeENG1018December2017WaitingtoSeeJesusIfonebelievestheyare saved,aretheyreallysaved?InChristianculture,childrenareexpectedtoanswerthisquestion,not onlyforthemselvesbutfortheadultswholeadthemintheirspiritualjourneyInLangstonHughes' essay,"Salvation",Hughesisinfluencedgreatlyalonghisownroadtosalvationbytheolder generationinwhomhehasplacedhistrust.Asherecountsthistaleofhisownchildhoodinchurch, hedescribesaperversionanddestructionofsalvationthatultimatelyleadshimtotheconclusion thathehasnotobtainedsalvation.ThisexposesafaultwithintheChristiancommunityinregardsto itstreatmentofchildren,whichhasinturnmadesalvationseeminglyunattainablebythechildrenon whomtheyputsomuchpressure.WhenHugheswasbroughttotherevivaltobesaved,hewasonly twelveyearsold.Atthisyoungage,hewasintenselyconfrontedbyacomplexdecisionofwhether ornottobesavedHisaccountisverydetailed,describingasifwereyesterday"oldwomenwith jet–blackfacesandbraidedhair,oldmenwithwork–gnarledhands"(947).Hughesseriouslyand honestlycametothiseventwithanopenheartandabrightmind.Itisnevertobeassumedthata childisnotcapableofgraspingreligion;itistheiruniqueintelligencethatactuallygivesthema chanceatdivineunderstandingthatmostadultscannotseemtocommunicate.Althoughhewas likelyanintelligent

...Getmorecontent...

LangstonHughesSalvationEssay

"Salvation"byLangstonHughesisanEssaywrittenaboutthepressuresyoungadultscanfacein theirlifetime.ItrepresentedthelifeofayoungboyandthepressureshereceivedtoacceptChrist intohislife.Thestoryreflectedlies,sarcasm,andhypocrisyfromhispeers,hisfamily,both immediateandchurch.ThisyoungboywastoldthatJesuswouldcometohim,hewould"See" Jesus,hewouldknowHewasfacedwiththemisconceptionof"How"Jesuswouldcometohim,he wasmisguided.Theyoungboywentforwardanyway,walkingtothepulpit,andacceptingChrist. AlthoughhehadneverexperiencedJesuscomingtohim,hehadneverseenJesus,hegoesanyway, pretendingtobesavedduetosocialpressuresLaterhereturnshomeandcries

...Getmorecontent...

LangstonHughesSalvationEssay

"Salvation,"byLangstonHughesisashortstorywhichistheautobiographyofayoungmanwho hasanemotionalconfrontationwithreligion.Oftentimesitisdebatedwhethertheshortstoryisa seriouspiece,ratherthananamusingpiece.Salvationisaseriouspieceduetoitsrecognitionofpeer pressurewhiledisprovingtraditionalchurchbeliefandindicatingameaningfulpointintheauthor's lifeSalvationillustratestheinfluencepeerpressurecanhaveonaperson'sthoughtsanddecisions Intheshortstory,Langstonhadbeenparticipatinginaceremonytorelievetheyoungchildrenofsin and'bringthemtoJesus.'Despiteeverybodyinthechurch'sexpectation,Langstonstillhadnot"saw Jesus,"resultingintheentirechurchtoengageinprayerforLangston,whichincludedLangston' auntcrying,onherknees,forhimtobesaved.Feelingguiltyfordisappointingthechurchmembers andmoreimportantlyhisaunt,Langstonliedandpretendedtobe'saved'tosatisfyeverybody.While lyingisasinonitsown,lyingwhileinsideofthechurchisconsideredhighlypunishable,show morecontent...

Althoughthestoryismostlyanautobiographicalexperience,thereisaserious,slightlyindirect, themethattypicalChristianreligiousbeliefsmaybealie.Manyolderfolktoldataleofhowyou wouldseealightandsomethingwouldhappen,indicatingthatyouhavebeensavedbythelord. DuringtheceremonyofwhichLangstonparticipatedin,allofthechildrenamongsthimclaimedto havebeensavedexcepthimandanotheryoungman,Westley.Duetotheireventualimpatience, bothLangstonandWestleyliedclaimingtheyhadbeensaved,withWestleyusingGod'snamein vainduringtheprocess.Thosetwoactionsaredeemedhighlypunishableinreligiousbeliefyetboth ofthemwentunpunished.Bysharingthispersonalexperience,Langstontargetsthemisleading beliefsunderwhichchurchgoerslive

...Getmorecontent...

SalvationbyLangstonHughes

'Salvation',byLangstonHughesispartofanautobiographicalworkwrittenin1940.Theauthor narratesastorycenteringonarevivalgatheringthathappenedinhischildhood.Duringthedays leadinguptotheevent,Hughes'aunttellshimrepeatedlythathewillbe'saved',stressingthathe willseealightandJesuswillcomeintohislife.HeattendsthemeetingbutwhenJesusfailsto appear,heisforcedbypeerpressuretolieandgoupandbe'saved'.Hughesuseshisstoryto illustratehoweasyitisforchildrentomisinterpretadultsandsubsequentlybecomedisillusioned

Adultssometimesforgetthatchildrencommunicateonamuchmoreliterallevelthantheydo;their conversationisoftenshowmorecontent

Astimepassedthecongregationbecamemoreandmoreanimated,wailingforHughestocomeup andbesavedHughesbecamemoreandmoreimpatientandextremelyagitatedAtthesametimehe musthavebeenverycuriousastowhyalltheothersweregoinguptothealtar.

Duringchildhoodwebegintolearnthemeaningofintegrity.HavingpatientlyawaitedJesus? appearanceforwhatmusthaveseemedaninterminableamountoftime,thepressureonHughesto getupandgotothealtarmusthavebeenponderous.Finally,whenJesusfailedtomakean appearancethateveningHugheshadachoiceofcontinuingtowaitorrisingandsatisfyingthe expectationsofthecongregation.Inmakinghisdecisiontoapproachthealtar,Hughesisfearful,as mostchildrenarewhendisobeyingthe?rules?.Hughes?reticenceincomingforwardprobably reflectshistypeofupbringing,andhewatcheshisfriendtoseewhatpunishmentGodwillmeteout andbaseshisdecisiononthefactthatnothingappearstohappen.InembracinghisfriendWestley?s deception,inbeingsavedwithoutseeingJesus,andbecauseofhisownupbringing,Hugheshadto acknowledgehisowndishonesty.

Childrentrustthewordsofadultsanddespitethemisunderstandingassociatedwiththewordshis auntused,Hughesbelievedherunquestionably.LaterthateveningwhenhisauntheardHughes cryinginbed,sheassumeditisbecausehehadbeenmovedbyhisexperienceatchurchinreceiving

...Getmorecontent...

LangstonHughesSalvationAnalysis

Faithandconformitycangohandinhand.Whenonehasfamilymembersthatbelongtoareligionit iseasiertoconformtokeepthepeacethentorebelandstrainrelationshipswithone'sfamily.One mayaskifthisconformityisworththeguiltthatcomeswithlyingtoone'sfamilyandself.Saying onethingbutdoinganothercaninflictanenormousamountofguiltonaperson,especiallyayoung childInLangstonHughes'sstory,"Salvation"(1940),thereadergainsinsightintowhathappens whenatwelveyearoldconformsintoareligiontheydonottrulybelievein.Peoplemayview conformityaseasiertopartakeinthenrebelling.Whenapersonconformstheydonotneedto explaintheirdifferentviewpointtocloseopposersliketheirfamilyandfriendsThereisno opposition,thereisonlypeace.However,thispeacecanbeseenexternallytofriendsandfamily. Internally,thepersonwhoisreluctantlyconformingtokeeptheamityisrackedwithguiltandpain. ThiscanbeseenwithLangstonHughes'swrittenpiece,"Salvation"(1940).LangstonHughes dramaticallydescribeshisrelationshipwithfaithin"Salvation"(1940).Manyoftheparagraphsare accentedwiththeatricalwordsandmentionsshowmorecontent

In"Salvation"(1940),LangstonHughesmakesitclearthatwhenhedeceivedeveryoneatChurch byhavingthembelievehewassaved,ittookatollonhismentalwell–being."Icried,inbedalone, andcouldn'tstop.Iburiedmyheadunderthequilts,butmyauntheardme"(Hughes,1940,para. 15).Itisnotnormalforatwelveyearoldtocryexcessivelyandloudly.Hisextremecryingafterthe deceptionprovesthatwhenhiswordsdidnotmatchhisactionsguiltensuedHughesmentionshe primarilyfeltguiltyforlying."ButIwasreallycryingbecauseIcouldn'tbeartotellherthatIlied, thatIhaddeceivedeverybodyinthechurch"(Hughes,1940,para.

...Getmorecontent...

HowtobeSaved

Differentpeoplehavedifferentthingstheyfeeltheneedtobesavedfrom.Itisnaturalforpeopleto havedifferentfeelingstowardsthemeaningofbeingsaved,howeverthefeelingsthatpeoplehave aboutitcanpavewayforseparateinterpretationsofthewordThemainissuethatLangstonHughes raisesistheneedtofeelsavedatayoungage.InHughes'essay,"Salvation",hedemonstratesthe issuesthatareraisedthroughtheimplementationoffaithforchildrenthatareofayoungage. Throughhisuseofachildhoodperspective,Hughesdemonstratestothereaderthethoughtsthatgo throughthemindofachild,todemonstratetheironyofhimselfnotactuallybeingsavedonthatday inchurch.Hughesshowmorecontent (181).

Inhisdepictionofthemindofachild,andalsotheinnocencethatchildrenhaveinregardsto religion,Hughesuncoverstheironythatrevolvesaroundhimselfbeingnotactuallysaved,andalso theironyoftheword"salvation".

OneofthemanyotherwaysthatHughesdevelopshistopicisthroughtheuseofsyntax/diction interweavedintothetextAfewexamplesofhisuseoftheseincludehisuseofbothrepetitionand strongimageryintheattempttomakethereaderfeelmoreconnectedtothestory,andalsotomake hispointmorecleartotheaudience.Hugheswrites,"Thenhesaid:'Won'tyoucome?Won'tyou cometoJesus?Younglambs,won'tyoucome?'"(180)Theuseofrepetitioninthisaspectofthe textfurtherprovestheironyofthestorybyshowingthechurch'sdesireforthechildrentocometo Jesus,althoughthechildrenmayknowlittletonothingaboutthereligionthattheyarebeingforced tocomplywith.Intheessayhealsowrites,"Agreatmanyoldpeoplecameandoutaroundusand prayed,oldwomenwithjet–blackfacesandbraidedhair,oldmenwithwork–gnarledhands"(180). ThisheighteneduseofimagerybyHugheshelpsthereaderbetterunderstandthesituationthathe wasin,andthepressurethathe

...Getmorecontent...

SavedFromInnocence

Inmostpeople'slives,therecomesapointintimewheretheirperceptionchangesabruptly;asingle momentintheirlifewhentheycometoasuddenrealization.InLangstonHughes'"Salvation", contrarytoallexpectations,ayoungHughesisnotsavedbyJesus,butissavedfromhisown innocence.

"Salvation"isthestoryofayoungboywhohasanexperienceofrevelation.Whileattendinga churchrevival,hecomestothesuddenrealizationthatJesuswillnotphysicallycomesavehim Inthefirstthreesentencesoftheessay,thespeakeradoptsaverychildlikestyle.Hemakesuseof simplewordsandkeepsthesentencesshort,similarinstyletothatofanearlyagedteenager.But sincethetextiswrittenshowmorecontent

Justlikeanyotherkidwould,Hugheslistensandbelievesword–for–wordwhathisaunttellshim: "ShesaidyoucouldseeandhearandfeelJesusinyoursoul"(181)Thisnaiveteischaracteristicof youthsofthatagegroup.Afterall,he"heardagreatmanyoldpeoplesaythesamething"(181)and itseemedtohim"theyoughttoknow"(181).Withallthehypeandanticipationsurroundingthis event,Hughesiscertainsomethingisboundtohappen.Hisdisappointmentismanifestedwhenhe doesnotliterallyseeJesus.Fromwhathehasbeentold,Hughesisexpectingtoseeahuman incarnationofJesusHeisactuallymorethanjustexpectingtoseehim;hebadlywantstobesaved! SeeingWestleygiveupsocarelessly,triggersanawkwardfeelinginsideofHughes.Thethought thatJesusisnotgoingtoshowupafterallisstartingtogrow.Thatleadshimtoeventuallygiveup andjoinWestleyinlyingItisonlyatnightthathecomestotherealizationthathewasfooledAll thestoriesandpreachingheheardwerejustfabulations.HewantedtoseeJesus,butJesusdidnot comeathisrescue.Hisperceptionchangedbecausehewentfrombeinganinnocentchildto someonewhohasacquiredthepersonalexperiencetomakehisownjudgements.Through "Salvation",LangstonHughesoffershisthoughtsonhowyoungindividuals'mindscanbe manipulatedbyreligiousauthoritiesHowever,hestressesthatitisimportanttokeepastrongmind tobe

...Getmorecontent...

LangstonHughesSalvationAnalysis

BeingsavedwasmeanttobeanimportantmomentforHughesasachild.Hehadexpectationsofan amazing,lifechangingexperienceofseeingandacceptingJesusintohislife.Themainpurposeof LangstonHughes'Salvationwasabouthisexperiencewithreligionasachildandhow,insteadof thepositiveexperiencehehadexpected,hewasleftwithdisappointmentandevenguilt.Thisevent wasimportantinhislifebecauseitchangedthewayhefeltabouthisreligionHughescreatedwhat soundedlikeachaoticscene.AchurchThat"grewbyleapsandbounds"shouting,singingand praying.WhiletheministerinsistedHughesgouptothealtertobesaved,Ibelieveitwashisaunt thatpressuredhimthemostbybuildingupthismoment

...Getmorecontent...

LangstonHughesSalvation

Tochildren,communicationandunderstandingcomeliterally.Figurativespeechisdifficultand problematicforayoungmindtograsp.Thisisexplicatedintheshortstory"Salvation"byLangston Hughes.Langstongoesthroughadilemmaduringsalvation,definedinthesenseofTheologyas "thedeliverancefromsinanditsconsequences,"("salvation,n")whenhisauntappriseshimofJesus comingdownintheformofbrightlightforhisliberationHisliteralinterpretationofhisaunt's metaphoriclanguageledtoahostofemotionsandconfusiononhispathtoredemption.Theessay becomesoneofconsternationandcynicismtowardhisreligion.

Livingwithhisauntanduncleatthetime,Langstonwasnow13andreadytobesaved Regrettably,...showmorecontent...

Itis,thus,apressuringandlife–changingmoment.LangstonHughes,theauthorandnarratorofthe composition,"Salvation,"ismetwithabarrageofthoughtandemotioncomedeliverance.Langton's naivetemistookhisaunt'smetaphoricdescriptionofsalvation,andthisledtoanabsenceofspiritual epiphanywhenthetimecameUltimately,thisevokedgreatdismayandskepticismtowardhis indoctrinatedideology,causinghimtolosefaithinthechurchand

...Getmorecontent...

CriticalEssay–"Salvation"byLangstonHughes

Salvationisdefinedasthedeliverancefromsinanditsconsequences.InaChristianitysense, salvationiswhenapersonacceptstheLordJesusChristastheirsavior,andtheybelievethefactthat hediedforthesinsofChristiansThetermofsalvationisoftenreferredtoasbeing"saved" SalvationiswhenonedeliversnotonlytheirbodyinaphysicaltothechurchandGod,butitisalso acommitteetoJesusmentallyandspiritually.Gettingsavedcanbeaverypressuringandlife changingdecisionThatissometimesforceduponyoungadolescentsUltimatelyitcancauseoneto questiontheirspirituallysometimesevendamagingtheirbeliefinJesus.InLangstonHughes'...show morecontent

Thisisnotcase,whensomeoneissaveGodcomestoyouspirituallyandmentallybutnotinthe physical.Langstonwholemisconceptionofthisconceptofbeingsavedultimatelycausesheto believehisdecisiontobesavewasadeceitfuloneInreturndamagingLangstonbeliefinJesusand thetruemeaningofsalvation.Thepressureofseeingallhisotherpeersalsoplayedamajorrolein hisdecision.Hisfearofbeing"leftallaloneonthemourners'bench"incitedhimtobecomesaved. Whenhewitnessedthelastboyonthebenchgofourthandbesaved,Langstonsuddenlyfeltthe pressureofthewholechurchcomedownonhim.EspeciallythatofhisAuntReed,shesobbedto Langston"Langston,whydon'tyoucome?Whydon'tyoucomeandbesaved?Oh,LambofGod! Whydon'tyoucome?"ThiswasthelaststrawthispressureeventuallycausedLangstontogetsaved outofdeceit.WhenLangstontriedtogotobedthatnighthisfeelingsofdishonestyhadovercome himHecriednottearsofjoybuttearsofregretandconfusion"ButIwasreallycryingbecauseI couldn'tbeartotellherthatIhadlied,thatIhaddeceivedeverybodyinthechurch,thatIhadn'tseen Jesus,andthatnowIdidn'tbelievetherewasaJesusanymore,sincehedidn'tcometohelpme."He criedbecausehefeltinhisheartthatheliedtohisAuntReedandthewholechurch.

...Getmorecontent...