Langston Hughes’ autobiography essay “Salvation” goes in depth about an experience he went through when he “was going on thirteen.” In this narrative, Hughes’ illustrates himself as a young boy, whom decisions at church one evening, reflects the human race intuitive tendency to conform and in a sense obey societal trends. That week Hughes’ Aunt Reed had been pressuring him about approaching the alter, accepting Jesus as his savior, seeing the light and having a spiritual awakening. Hughes’ wanted to see Jesus dearly and experience salvation. Realizing Langston was not able to see Jesus and others could, he found himself in unexpected position with the community in the church. This also made him disappointed in himself. He could not fully understand why all the other kids were seeing Jesus except him. Why had God not done anything to the little boy Westley, who used Gods name in vain and for lying in the church? Langston’s guilt intensified because it was getting hotter as the time of day passed within the church. So Hughes’ trying to avoid embarrassment, lies about seeing Jesus. He was not saved by his love for Jesus like the people in the church hoped, but he was saved by his desire to obey and please not only his Aunt Reed but also the congregation of the church. If he would not have stepped forward what would have happened? Would they have been patient in hot church until he had seen the light of Jesus? …show more content…
Hughes’ fear of rejection, and being taught at a young age being saved “was seeing the light, and something happening inside you”, made him fall into his own trap of trying to please those around him. Influenced by the uncomforting heat the congregation was suffering, and his own discomfort Hughes’ claimed to experience “seeing the