Salvation by Langston Hughes Summary

Langston Hughes, a famous African American writer, wrote a short story called “Salvation” that talks about his childhood experience with religion. This story is part of his autobiography, “The Big Sea,” and it tells us about a time when young Langston went to a church revival meeting. What happened there changed how he thought about faith and made him question what he believed.

In this post, we’ll look closely at “Salvation” and try to understand what Hughes was trying to tell us. We’ll break down the story, talk about its main ideas, and think about why it’s still important today.

Who Was Langston Hughes?

Before we dive into the story, let’s talk a bit about the writer:

Langston Hughes was born in 1902 and died in 1967. He was a big deal in American literature, especially during a time called the Harlem Renaissance. This was when African American art and writing became really popular and important.

Hughes wrote all kinds of things – poems, stories, plays, and essays. He liked to write about what it was like to be Black in America. He often talked about everyday life, dreams, and the struggles people faced.

What made Hughes special was how he wrote. He used simple words and rhythms that sounded like people talking or like jazz music. This made his writing easy to understand and enjoyable for lots of people.

The Story: What Happens in “Salvation”?

Now, let’s look at what actually happens in the story:

1. The Setting: The story takes place at a big church revival meeting. A revival is when a church has special services to get people excited about their faith.
2. The Characters:
   • Young Langston: He’s 12 years old and the main character.
   • Auntie Reed: Langston’s aunt who brings him to the revival.
   • Westley: Another young boy at the revival.
   • The preacher and other church members.
3. The Plot:
   • Langston’s aunt tells him that when you’re saved, you see a light and Jesus comes into your life.
   • At the revival, the preacher asks for children to come forward to be saved.
   • Many kids go up, but Langston and Westley stay in their seats.
   • Westley gets tired of waiting and goes up, saying he’s lying just to get it over with.
   • Langston stays, hoping to really see Jesus.
   • As time passes, Langston feels pressured. Everyone is praying for him and waiting.
   • Finally, Langston goes up too, but he doesn’t actually see Jesus or feel saved.
   • That night, Langston cries in bed because he lied and because Jesus didn’t come to him.

The Big Ideas in “Salvation”

Now that we know what happens in the story, let’s think about what it all means:

1. The Pressure to Believe

One of the main things Hughes shows us is how much pressure there can be to believe in something, especially for kids. Young Langston feels like he has to say he’s saved, even though he doesn’t really feel it. This pressure comes from:

• The adults in the church who keep praying and waiting for him
• His aunt who expects him to have this spiritual experience
• The other kids who have already gone up to the front

This pressure makes Langston do something he doesn’t want to do. It shows how hard it can be to stand up for what you really think or feel when everyone around you expects something different.

2. The Gap Between Expectation and Reality

Another big idea in the story is how what we expect isn’t always what really happens. Langston’s aunt tells him he’ll see a light and feel Jesus when he’s saved. But when Langston goes to the front of the church, he doesn’t have this experience.

This gap between what Langston is told will happen and what actually happens is really important. It makes him start to question what he’s been taught about faith and salvation.

3. The Loss of Innocence

“Salvation” is also a story about growing up and losing some innocence. At the start, Langston believes what the adults tell him about salvation. But by the end, he’s learned some hard lessons:

• Sometimes adults can be wrong about important things
• People sometimes lie to fit in or meet others’ expectations
• Faith and spiritual experiences aren’t the same for everyone

These realizations are part of Langston growing up and starting to think for himself.

4. The Complexity of Faith and Doubt

Hughes doesn’t give us easy answers about faith in this story. Instead, he shows how complicated it can be. Langston wants to believe, but he also can’t ignore his own experience. This mix of faith and doubt is something many people struggle with.

The story suggests that faith isn’t always simple or straightforward. It can involve questioning, struggling, and sometimes even pretending.

The Writing Style: How Hughes Tells the Story

The way Hughes writes “Salvation” is just as important as what he says. Here are some key things about his style:

1. First-Person Narration

Hughes tells the story from Langston’s point of view, using “I” and “me.” This makes us feel close to Langston and understand his thoughts and feelings better. For example:

“I was really crying because I couldn’t bear to tell her that I had lied, that I had deceived everybody in the church, that I hadn’t seen Jesus, and that now I didn’t believe there was a Jesus anymore, since he didn’t come to help me.”

This direct insight into Langston’s mind helps us connect with him and feel the weight of his experience.

2. Simple, Clear Language

Hughes uses words that are easy to understand. He doesn’t try to sound fancy or complicated. This makes the story feel more real and honest. For example:

“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.”

This straightforward language helps us feel like we’re hearing the story from a real 12-year-old boy.

3. Vivid Descriptions

Even though Hughes uses simple language, he’s really good at painting a picture with words. He describes the scene in the church so well that we can almost see and hear it:

“The whole building rocked with prayer and song. Some women cried, and some of them shouted, and some of them, in the back row, moaned.”

These detailed descriptions help us imagine we’re right there in the church with young Langston.

4. Humor Mixed with Seriousness

Hughes includes some funny moments in the story, even though it’s about a serious topic. For example, when Westley gets tired of waiting and decides to lie about being saved:

“‘God Damn! I’m tired o’ sitting here. Let’s get up and be saved.’ So he got up and was saved.”

This mix of humor and seriousness makes the story feel more real and human.

The Historical and Cultural Context

To really understand “Salvation,” it helps to think about when and where Hughes was writing:

1. The Great Migration

During the early 1900s, many African Americans moved from the South to the North of the United States. This was called the Great Migration. Hughes was part of this movement, and it influenced his writing.

The church was really important for many Black communities during this time. It was a place for spiritual guidance, but also for community support and social gatherings.

2. The Harlem Renaissance

Hughes was a key figure in the Harlem Renaissance, a period in the 1920s and 1930s when African American art, music, and literature flourished. During this time, many Black artists and writers were exploring their identity and experiences in their work.

“Salvation” fits into this trend. It’s a personal story, but it also touches on bigger questions about faith, community, and growing up as a young Black person in America.

3. Changing Views on Religion

In the early 20th century, some people were starting to question traditional religious beliefs. New scientific discoveries and changing social norms made some people look at faith differently.

Hughes’ story reflects some of this questioning. Young Langston’s experience shows how some people were struggling to reconcile traditional religious teachings with their own thoughts and experiences.

Why “Salvation” Matters Today

Even though Hughes wrote this story a long time ago, it’s still important and relevant today. Here’s why:

1. It Encourages Critical Thinking

The story shows us it’s okay to question what we’re told, even about important things like faith. This encourages readers to think for themselves and not just accept everything they hear.

2. It Talks About Peer Pressure

The pressure Langston feels to conform is something many people, especially young people, still experience today. The story can help readers think about how to handle situations where they feel pressured to do or say things they don’t believe.

3. It Explores the Complexity of Faith

In a world where discussions about religion can often be polarized, “Salvation” offers a nuanced look at faith. It shows that belief and doubt can exist side by side, which is a reality for many people.

4. It’s a Coming-of-Age Story

The theme of growing up and losing innocence is universal. Many readers can relate to Langston’s experience of realizing the adult world is more complicated than he thought.

5. It Discusses Important Social Issues

While the story is about a personal experience, it touches on broader issues like the role of religion in communities and the expectations placed on young people. These are still important topics today.

How to Read “Salvation”: Tips for Understanding the Story Better

If you want to get the most out of reading “Salvation,” here are some tips:

1. Read it More Than Once: The first time, just enjoy the story. Then read it again and look for deeper meanings.
2. Think About Your Own Experiences: Have you ever felt pressure to believe something or pretend to believe? How does that compare to Langston’s experience?
3. Look for Symbols: For example, the “light” Langston is supposed to see could be a symbol for understanding or revelation.
4. Consider Different Perspectives: How might different characters in the story (like Auntie Reed or Westley) view what happened?
5. Think About the Ending: Why do you think Hughes chose to end the story with Langston crying? What does this tell us about his experience?
6. Look at the Language: Notice how Hughes uses simple words to describe complex feelings and ideas.
7. Consider the Title: Why do you think Hughes called the story “Salvation”? Is it meant to be ironic?

The Impact of “Salvation” on Literature and Culture

“Salvation” has had a big impact since it was first published:

1. In Literature: It’s often studied in schools and universities as an example of autobiographical writing and as a key text in African American literature.
2. In Discussions About Faith: The story has been used in many discussions about religion, especially about the experience of faith for young people.
3. In Understanding the Harlem Renaissance: “Salvation” helps us understand the kinds of issues and experiences that writers of the Harlem Renaissance were exploring.
4. In Popular Culture: The story has been referenced in other books, movies, and songs, showing its lasting influence.
5. In Personal Essays: Many writers have been inspired by Hughes’ honest, personal style in “Salvation” when writing about their own experiences.

Conclusion

“Salvation” by Langston Hughes is a short story, but it’s full of big ideas. It talks about growing up, questioning what we’re taught, and the complicated nature of faith. Hughes uses simple, powerful language to tell a personal story that many people can relate to.

By looking closely at this story, we can learn a lot about Hughes as a writer, about the time he lived in, and about human experiences that are still relevant today. Whether you’re reading it for the first time or coming back to it again, “Salvation” is a story that makes us think and feel deeply.

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FAQs

1. Q: Is “Salvation” a true story? A: “Salvation” is part of Langston Hughes’ autobiography, so it’s based on his real experiences. However, like many autobiographical works, some details might be changed or enhanced for storytelling purposes.
2. Q: How old is Langston in the story? A: In the story, Langston is 12 years old.
3. Q: What does the title “Salvation” mean in the context of the story? A: The title is somewhat ironic. While the church revival is meant to bring salvation to the children, Langston’s experience leads him to doubt rather than belief.
4. Q: Why doesn’t Langston see Jesus like he’s supposed to? A: The story doesn’t give a definite answer. It could be because spiritual experiences are personal and not everyone has them in the same way, or it could suggest that Langston is naturally skeptical.
5. Q: Is Hughes criticizing religion in this story? A: Hughes isn’t necessarily criticizing religion itself, but he is questioning certain religious practices and the pressure put on children to have specific spiritual experiences.
6. Q: What does Langston learn by the end of the story? A: Langston learns that adults can be wrong, that people sometimes lie to meet others’ expectations, and that faith isn’t always straightforward or easy.
7. Q: Why does Westley lie about being saved? A: Westley seems to lie out of impatience and a desire to conform to expectations. He wants to get the process over with.
8. Q: Why does Langston cry at the end of the story? A: Langston cries because he feels guilty about lying and because he’s upset that he didn’t have the spiritual experience he was supposed to have.
9. Q: What role does Auntie Reed play in the story? A: Auntie Reed represents the older generation’s expectations. She’s the one who tells Langston what he should expect when he’s saved.
10. Q: How does this story relate to the Harlem Renaissance? A: Like many works from the Harlem Renaissance, “Salvation” explores African American experiences and identity. It uses a personal story to touch on broader cultural and social issues.