The “Salvation,” a short story by Langston Hughes, describes a young boy’s journey of searching for religion and redemption, which eventually ends unachievable. The boy abandons his pursuit for religion after realizing that the physical deliverance which he is looking for cannot be apprehended easily. The narrator loses hope after finding that on the way to salvation, one must be patient and have optimism that they will be saved. Individuals should act as per the Biblical illustrations to achieve liberation from sin. Therefore, Langston Hughes develops the theme of religion, explaining the high expectations which accompany redemption and the subsequent disappointments which arise when individuals fail to achieve the goal.
The short story presents an anecdote, whereby the narrator is in the church. According to the young boy, he attends ecclesiastical sermon to be saved from sin (Hughes 31). Typically, the boy understands that it is only in the church where he is guaranteed of realizing salvation. The temple is the cleansing place for those who feel they have sinned against God and want to achieve forgiveness. The idea of the narrator attending church to attain salvation is a critical form of self-discovery, considering that he has realized who he is, indeed, acting against the will of God. As a result, the theme of religion is evident, whereby people interpret the idea that embracing faith is the sole option for people to be righteous. Therefore, Hughes’s short story develops the refrain of religion, whereby individuals are thriving to ensure that they see God’s presence in their lives.
The theme of religion is evident considering the changes which happen in the church. People have the beliefs regarding it that going to church is an assurance of uprightness. In the short story, the narrator mentions that when the entire congregation, including his aunt, Reeds, started praying for him, he stood and walked to the stage by himself, pretending to be saved (Hughes 57). The author develops a critical understanding of religion, whereby it acts as a form of external pressure pushing individuals to behave in a specific way. Similarly, when the narrator sees his peers moving to the front of the church as a sign of being saved, he equally decides to join them, an exemplification of the qualities of religion. Connectedly, the book creates the topic of religion because of its ability to attract people who have a common goal of deliverance from sin.
The short story depicts the theme of religion, whereby the narrator questions its validity. The young boy asks why he has not seen the light promised by his aunt Reeds, stating that he is tired of sitting (Hughes 59). The author develops a picture in the reader’s mind regarding how young people view the topic of faith. Among the adults, religion is considered to be more than metaphorical understanding, which it is in the kids’ minds. Thus, religion is the primary theme in the text, as it shows the different perceptions about it among children and adults.
In conclusion, it is paramount to note that religion is the main topic presented in the “Salvation” by Langston Hughes. Salvation is the belief that people in society have towards a supernatural being who has the powers to control everything on earth. The author develops the difference between young people and adults’ understanding of faith. Above all, Hughes imparts to the reader’s mind that there is a need for individuals to strive to obtain righteousness.
Reference
Hughes, Langston. Salvation. George Braziller, 1958.