Langston Hughes Salvation

Individual Belief in the Face of Social Expectations: A Commentary Report on Langston Hughes' Salvation

As an autobiographical essay written by Langston Hughes, “Salvation” describes his personal experience at a religious revival meeting when he was twelve years old. With vivid and sensory language, the author provides the reader with a glimpse of African Americans’ struggles in the early 20th century. Notably, Being one of the pioneers in the Harlem Renaissance, Langston Hughes’ works mainly deals with the social and psychological vacuum of African Americans after slavery was abolished. In "Salvation", the issues of faith and religion are questioned from the perspective of a young boy. The young narrator grapples with the pressure to conform

At the revival, twelve-year-old Hughes and other children sit on the bench, waiting to be saved by Jesus. Hughes firmly believes the words told by his aunt that as soon as he sees a light, he will be saved. With the congregation singing and praying, some of the children get up and claim that they’ve found Jesus. But Hughes still keeps waiting patiently for salvation to occur. Finally, all the young people have gone to the altar except Westley and Hughes. Tired of waiting, Westley gets up, leaving Hughes alone on the bench. Hughes becomes increasingly anxious and fearful of being left behind. Eventually, he goes to the altar and pretends to be saved. Since no real salvation occurs, Hughes feels shame and betrayal, having lost faith

The decreasing number of children remaining on the bench is one of the reasons. Hughes becomes increasingly anxious as his peers get up one by one. The environment is also a motive. For instance, the author describes the church as a “hot, crowded, and noisy place”, which makes the narrator restless. Furthermore, the elapse of time causes him to be ashamed of himself since he keeps the whole crowd of people accompanying him for so long yet still can’t be able to go through what they want him to do. Overwhelmed by the ongoing songs, the minister’s urging, and a crowd of people, Hughes feels obligated to lie to “save further trouble”. This confession of faith is not because Hughes has no sense of belief, but due to social expectations that make him feel compelled to