communication and understanding come literally. Figurative speech is difficult and problematic for a young mind to grasp. This is explicated in the short story “Salvation” by Langston Hughes. Langston goes through a dilemma during salvation, defined in the sense of Theology as “the deliverance from sin and its consequences,” (“salvation, n”) when his aunt apprises him of Jesus coming down in the form of bright light for his liberation. His literal interpretation of his aunt’s metaphoric language
Salvation Langston Hughes, born on February 1, 1902, was an American poet, novelist, and social activist. His work depicts the hardships and poverty of the Negro life in America. Langston became one of the most popular writers during the Harlem Renaissance. His books include The Negro Mother (1931), The Ways of White Folks (1934), The Big Sea (1940), and etc. Salvation, a short chapter in The Big Sea, describes a horrific event in Hughes’s early life as he approaches the age of 13. Hughes attended
Innocence In most people's lives, there comes a point in time where their perception changes abruptly; a single moment in their life when they come to a sudden realization. In Langston Hughes' "Salvation", contrary to all expectations, a young Hughes is not saved by Jesus, but is saved from his own innocence. "Salvation" is the story of a young boy who has an experience of revelation. While attending a church revival, he comes to the sudden realization that Jesus will not physically come save him
interpretations of the word. The main issue that Langston Hughes raises is the need to feel saved at a young age. In Hughes’ essay, “Salvation”, he demonstrates the issues that are raised through the implementation of faith for children that are of a young age. Through his use of a childhood perspective, Hughes demonstrates to the reader the thoughts that go through the mind of a child, to demonstrate the irony of himself not actually being saved on that day in church. Hughes
Salvation by Langston Hughes 'Salvation', by Langston Hughes is part of an autobiographical work written in 1940. The author narrates a story centering on a revival gathering that happened in his childhood. During the days leading up to the event, Hughes' aunt tells him repeatedly that he will be 'saved', stressing that he will see a light and Jesus will come into his life. He attends the meeting but when Jesus fails to appear, he is forced by peer pressure to lie and go up and be 'saved'. Hughes
life. Langston Hughes, born James Mercer Langston Hughes, was a famous author of this era. He put out his first poem out in 1926, so 21 years after he was born. Around 1921 he was a part of a cultural movement Harlem Renaissance. He wrote many short essays, including “Salvation”. Hughes demonstrated how parents influenced the child in religious beliefs. He showed how this pressure made kids lost their faith in Jesus. He displayed this influence by a cruel tone in the reading. “Salvation,” by Langston
something that is not a part of the visible world. “Salvation” by Langston Hughes is a prime example of how some children receive the unseen world, specifically a higher power. Hughes at a young age is forced by his aunt to go to her church for a revival. The then twelve-year-old is told that he will see a light and feel Jesus’ presence from there on out. At the revival, the young girls in the group of children claim to be saved immediately. Only young Langston and another boy are left waiting to experience
Langston Hughes’ short essay, “Salvation,” is a controversial yet interesting story that brings many conflicts between people in society. He discusses his personal point of view about his religious experience. Although religion has impacted many people throughout the years, it is still an extremely debatable topic. Many people believe that if you go to church you’ll be good for the rest of your life and just because you convince them as kid to behave a certain way, it will stop them from making poor
spiritual journey. In Langston Hughes’ essay, “Salvation”, Hughes is influenced greatly along his own road to salvation by the older generation in whom he has placed his trust. As he recounts this tale of his own childhood in church, he describes a perversion and destruction of salvation that ultimately leads him to the conclusion that he has not obtained salvation. This exposes a fault within the Christian community in regards to its treatment of children, which has in turn made salvation seemingly unattainable
with one’s family. One may ask if this conformity is worth the guilt that comes with lying to one’s family and self. Saying one thing but doing another can inflict an enormous amount of guilt on a person, especially a young child. In Langston Hughes’s story, “Salvation” (1940), the reader gains insight into what happens when a twelve year old conforms into a religion they do not truly believe in. People may view conformity as easier to partake in then rebelling. When a person conforms they do not