Analyzing Langston Hughes's 'Salvation'

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Terika Zimmerman Essay 3 The story “Salvation,” by Langston Hughes discusses how young children were peer-pressured into being saved and giving their lives to Jesus. A thirteen year old boy named Langston Hughes was saved from sin, but was not really saved. The author states how his aunt's church was having a big revival with singing, praising,and shouting. Langston Hughes explained how the preacher wanted all the young children to come into the fold, so they can be saved and give themselves to Jesus. The writer explains how he wanted to see, speak, and feel Jesus come to him, but he never got that feeling from Jesus. Langston Hughes goes on to tell the reader how all the children had gone up to the altar and were saved except for one boy and himself. The older folks continued to pray over the boys. Hughes stated that the boy Westley whispered, “God Damn! I'm tired o' sitting here. Let's get up and be saved, “ and got up and was saved. Langston was left all alone, and his aunt and the rest of the congregation continued to pray over him telling him to come to Jesus, and that Jesus is…show more content…
The author describes the pressure he felt. Hughes stated, I heard songs and the minister saying: “Why don't you come? My dear child, why don't you come to Jesus? Jesus is waiting for you. He wants you. Why don't you come? Sister Reed, what is this child's name?” Langston, my aunt sobbed. “Langston, why don't you come? Why don't you come and be saved? Oh Lamb of God! Why don't you come?” The minister was putting Langston under a lot of pressure as well as the other older folks. As a young child I was pressured into being saved and participate in church activities. I think just about everyone brought up in church is kinda force to do something in the church such as choir, ushering ,
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