Summary of “Salvation”
In the essay, “Salvation,” famous 20th Century author Langston Hughes describes an incident which occurred when he was a young boy which made him recognized himself to be an atheist. “I was saved from sin when I was going on thirteen but not really saved.”(Hughes). And he represents himself as a young child, who was raised with Christian values and Jesus Christ as our savior. During the big “revival” at his aunt’s church, all the children were going to be “saved.” Langston wanted to see Jesus, and he thought that Jesus Christ comes in a bright light to be in our heart and be “saved,” whoever believes in God. He did not know that the Holy Spirit is felt within our hearts, whoever accepts him. All the young children went to the altar and were “saved.” Hughes and Westley were the only one left on the mourner’s chair waiting to see Jesus. After all the waiting, Westely got up to be saved because he is tired of being pressured by the congregation. After a few minutes, young Hughes followed Westley. “So I decided that maybe to save further trouble, I’d better lie too, and say that Jesus had come, and get up and be “saved” (Hughes). Hughes decided to lie about seeing Jesus Christ, and he did what his aunt and worshippers wanted him to do. That night, he cried because he wanted to experience of being saved, but it never happened. Hughes did not believe in Jesus Christ anymore, and it was his defining moments (Hughes).
Work Cited
Hughes, Langston. "Salvation." The Literature Network Forums. 20 Feb. 2012. Web. 21 Apr. 2015.
