Monday, February 01, 2010

 

"Salvation" by Langston Hughes

Post your freewrite here. Wednesday, Feb. 3, we will write a summary of the story and post it here as well. Respond to a classmate's post. In both classes we discussed the themes in the story: deception, lies, guilt, disappointment, isolation, rejection.

We practiced writing thesis sentences in the afternoon class. I added a couple more.

Hughes' voice: In "Salvation," a story that appears in my autobiography, The Big Sea, my intention was to show the guilt I felt when i lied about seeing Jesus.

"Salvation" is a story that shows a child's guilt when he lies.

LH's character's remorse shows us that "salvation" is not guaranteed and perhaps shouldn't be rushed.

Deception, lies and guilt are all themes explored in LH's story, "Salvation."

"Salvation's" protagonist learns that he's his own savior, and this depresses him.

Sometimes we are most ashamed of the deeds we get away with, as is proven by LH in his short story "Salvation."

Other work today
Before reading "Salvation" we reviewed "paraphrasing" in Stewart Pidd Hates English. We also reviewed the quiz on Confused Words.


Field Trip

A few students said they want to go to see Tim Wise on Thursday, Feb. 4, 7 PM at the First Congregational Church of Oakland, 27th and Harrison in Oakland. The cost is $10. Bring your money to class 2/3. Call me tomorrow and let me know if you decided you want to go, but didn't sign up.

Homework
Homework is to start the first chapter, Confused Words and work through Sentence Punctuation. We will write Essay 1 next week. I will give students handouts 2/3. We will also review the exercises in Confused Words and Sentence Punctuation.

New Meeting Place for English 201 10-11:50
English 201 10-11:50 we meet in A232 on Wednesdays. I will pick you up in front of D229 this Wednesday, Feb. 3, 10:00 AM.

English 201 1-2:50 we meet in L202E (bring your laptops, if you have them.)

Note
Bring Half the Sky, as well as SPHE and your dictionaries to class daily.

Comments:
Demel Bullock
English 201b 10-11:50am
Feb 1,2010

This story really painted a picture for me of ones experience of growing up in a Baptist church. If you've every been to a Baptist church for worship, then you know about the “Amen‘s” and hallelujahs that will startle you if you're off in a deep daze or even in a moment of silent pray. That big hat that blocks your view of the praise and mime dancers on children’s Sunday. Oh and that really nice lady dancing and stepping on you feet a few times before you get hit with a swinging purse. The hurt being sleepy brought me once I decided to drop my guards in the fight of nodding off, my granny would pitch me so heard I’d be the one doing the shouting. Being a young boy my grandmother make me be a Jr. deacon. I was in the choir and in every play I could possible play a role in. I vividly remember hearing the pastor say “come to Jesus“, “is there one“. And the bait one the hook. “There is one more out there and some one on this side here!, you know who you are“. I remember thinking “is he talking to me“, well I’ll go next week. O those where the days. The memories.
 
Melvin Peter Herring
English 201 10-11:50
Feb 1, 2010

Salivation by Langston Hughes is thought of to be one of the most well known black writings, but to me it was dull and boring it didn’t catch me at all. But it did remind me of going to church and all the older people jumping up with pride happy to just be there and yell at the top of their voices. And before I even walk in I can hear them. I remember my grandma giving a dollar and telling me it was for candy. And soon as they pass around the collection plate she would tell me to put my dollar in, and I would be like “what u said it was for candy” then she would grab me and tell me just put the dollar in. Yes those where good times, I remember waking up on a Sunday early and laying under my bed so that no one would see me and let me sleep and I didn’t have to go. But it seems back then they were bigger on god, it seems everyone was like that, that’s what they lived for. But now a days it different people talk about but there not about it. But I’m getting off track but to get back on track the point of the story is that loss of faith and that’s why I compared it to back then and now. He was looking to be saved but he wasn’t and he felt he should have been.
 
Tracey Lee
201B 23075
MW 1-2.50pm
Langston Hugh in his autobiography The Big Sea, wrote a story on deception, lies and guilt entitled “Salvation.” Compelled to redemption in response to his aunt’s plea, he was disillusion by the experience. The concequences were anti-deliverance from salavation, guilt for having lied to his aunt and the congregation, and rejection of the faith. I believe that faith cannot never be force and its usually found when one goes through suffering.
 
Melvin I contend that due to worldwide weak economy (layoffs, liquidation of homes and businesses) more people are turning to God in hope of a better tomorrow.
 
Sorry re-posting, forgot to put my details. Tracey 201B
Melvin I contend that due to worldwide weak economy (layoffs, liquidation of homes and businesses) more people are turning to God in hope of a better tomorrow.
 
Sareth Chhoth
Professor Sabir
English 201A
MW 10-12

I think that the story about this is a little interesting. I thought that the story was interesting because it was about this kid in church who was trying to get saved. It was the kid’s decision to lie or not about being saved and seeing Jesus. The others said to him that when he gets saved he would see a light. This story shows how someone’s religious faith is being tested. It also shows a little peer pressure and lies.
I liked this story because it is something different from all the other stories that I am used to reading. Most of the other stories always have a happy ending and that is not really interesting. This ending is different, ending by the kid crying because he did not tell the truth. I enjoyed the ending.
 
Richard Myers
English 201B
1pm - 2:50pm
M,W,F

It is interesting to note that from the very beginning the author doesnt feel much of a connection to the church or maybe moreso; its practices. He feels pressured, possibly even somewhat of an outcast for not "hearing jesus". This was the real reason he cried that night; but because he couldnt hear him, had lied, and felt guilty about it. There was no jesus for him at that point.
 
Khan Ly
Professor Sabir
English 201B 1:00-2:50 p.m.
Feb 1,2010

I think the story “Salivation” by Langston Hughes was really good, because it show the feeling of an innocent child who lied to other. Since my family is a Buddhism religion, that why I have no experiment about church. But I know the feeling of lying to other, especially that person is someone you admire. What I like most about the story is the part where Langston keep waiting and hoping for the god to come and save him.
 
Luis Arechiga
English 201B 1pm-2:50pm
Feb 2, 2010


Salvation by Langston Hughes gave me an extraordinary amount of imagery. I was really caught up in the story because I saw that every sentence gave me a new thought of mind. The story made me think about the over-crowded church, people clapping their hands in rythmic beats, and the elderly shouting "amens and halleluyahs," as well as flowing tears from everyones cheecks.
A story is extremely well; in my opinion, if it takes the mind itself and gives it a crystal clear image of the story. From beginning of the church, towards the end of being the last one saved, I saw it picture by picture.
 
This comment has been removed by the author.
 
Shakira Makanjuola
English 201B
MW 1PM-2:50PM
Feb 2-2-2010

I thought this story was really interesting and it very good story. The salvation in this story was about a boy that wants to be saved by Jesus from his sin. He attends to her auntie church. There was night that all the children were bought to the front row to be saved by Jesus. When they are praying for them some of the children got up and say they have been saved by Jesus. He waited to see Jesus and be saved but nothing happen. After all the children are been save he decided to lie and he got up. His auntie was happen because he has been saved. He was cry because he felt really bad for lying to her auntie.
 
Salvation
Mo Dabashi
English 201A 10-11:50
2/1/10
When I was reading the story I felt like it was a good story because its talking about a boy and many people who are trying to be saved from sins. I am a Muslim and I go to the mosque every week trying to help myself and stay away from sins. I should go more often than that, maybe twice or three times a week to make my relationship with god stronger. I think that that it’s a good thing to try to go to a temple or mosque or church so u could stay away from sins and get closer to god and be saved.
 
Latisha Davis
English 201B 10-11:50
Feb 1,2010

um i can really related to this story i was brought to god really early in my life as well and it was very confussing to me as well i didn't know what to believe but i never lost faith in him. My belief in him got stronger as i became older in age I learned more about him. As like him my church had children days an they wanted the children to come to the alter but i never did i was scared, i felt like i shouldnt be pressured into beliving or excepting him an that i will find him in my own time and in my own way. I'm old enough to be reseonsable for my own sins an my own life my mothert introduced us its up to me to make or break the relationship. I have a relationship with him but its not as strong as it should be an i hope it one day will.

i think Langston hughes should have not stood up but he was young so i understand bt i hope instead of giving up an losing faith i hope he tried it again an made a connection,
 
Latisha Davis
English 201B 10-11:50
Feb 1,2010

um i can really related to this story i was brought to god really early in my life as well and it was very confussing to me as well i didn't know what to believe but i never lost faith in him. My belief in him got stronger as i became older in age I learned more about him. As like him my church had children days an they wanted the children to come to the alter but i never did i was scared, i felt like i shouldnt be pressured into beliving or excepting him an that i will find him in my own time and in my own way. I'm old enough to be reseonsable for my own sins an my own life my mothert introduced us its up to me to make or break the relationship. I have a relationship with him but its not as strong as it should be an i hope it one day will.

i think Langston hughes should have not stood up but he was young so i understand bt i hope instead of giving up an losing faith i hope he tried it again an made a connection,
 
David Vergara Jr
English 201A 1-2:50pm
Feb 2, 2010

I thought it was an interesting story that Langston Hughes wrote. It had a lot of imagery and it was written so well that I could actually see myself looking at the people and the the children. I had always bounced around from church to church so it was hard to find a stable ground to actually see or feel jesus. But I can understand his pain of lying to his aunt and the church because I had done the samething and I was not really proud of myself. I was so disgusted I couldnt look at myself but finally I did feel Jesus and he has helped me all my life if it wasnt for him i would most likely be dead. But I enjoyed the story because I have always admired Langston Hughes so it was just another addition to my admiration.
 
William Le
English 201B 10-11:50
Feb 1 2010

Salvation by Langston Hughes really took me back to when I used to go to the temple with my parent and every time we went I would hear the spokesperson jabbering about something and eventually one by one everyone seems to be enlightened and it has reflected upon their lives. After reading what Langston wrote about how he did not believe that he felt anything different. This is what brings me back to how I feel the same way because of all the times I went to the temple to pray, I did not see a difference in my life or at that moment. Now, I do not go to the temple anymore nor do I go to church and I still feel the same way about myself.
 
Sonry Chhoth
Eng 201A 10-1150 MW

When I first saw the title "Salvation", i thought Langston Hughes would be saved. To my surprise, Langston was not saved. The way Langston described the church was new to me because the church I go to is not the same. There is singing but the pastor does not ask anyone to go up to the alter and be saved by Jesus. The church I go to is not filled with "Amens" but is relatively quiet aside from the the speaker. I kind of feel like Langston Hughes when he lied because I do not believe in a deity. I am a Buddhist but I do not believe that Buddha is a deity. The reason I go to church is because I believe in some of the messages that Christianity brings.
 
Sandy Saeteun
english 201B MW1O
Feb.2
"Salvatiion" by Langston Hughes is about children in church and they are sort of forced to do things that they have no say in. The kids are getting baptized and one boy acted like he seen god and the light when he didnt. People really thought he did but he was really lying.
 
Kelly Bohler
Eng 201A 10-11:50
2/2/2010

I'm really glad that you showed me this story.I'm taking a child development class and this story has really made me understand that children are very realistic and their mind set is based on seeing things to believing it.I have never been to a baptist church I would love to go and experience it but to be a child and have so many adults pressure you to do something that your not sure about must feel very scary and I understand why he lost his faith.
 
Thea Hernandez
Englsih 201B 10-11:50am.
Mon & Wed

In the story of “Salvation”, was an interesting story of a young boy named Langston. He felt a tremendous amount of pressure a pond him to be saved in church. Everyone has stepped up to the altar but him, so he feels it necessary to take the stand, since he is the only one left sitting by himself. But Langston was waiting on a sign form Jesus; he is expecting to see a light or to see Jesus himself come into the church. When nothing happen he felt pressured to go to the altar, the preacher asked Langston’s aunt what his name was. When she said Langston, the preacher called out to him by name asking him to come and be saved. Langston’s first thought was of his friend Westley that had just went up there only because he was tired of sitting, not because he felt a presence from God to go. Langston felt much pressure from all the others & everyone was looking at him, he was last. This was his time to go, when he stood up everyone was shouting with joy. As things quieted down later that evening, Langston cried in his bed, he cried so loud that his aunt came to comfort him. He cried because he went to the altar for all the wrong reasons and he didn’t have the heart to tell his aunt how he really felt inside. He felt betrayed by Jesus for not coming to save him and therefore he didn’t have belief that there was even a Jesus. This poor boy was in distress over the events that had taken place earlier that day.

This story was short, but yet, a very descriptive one.
 
Shyann Kinzer
English 201B 10-1150am
Feb 1, 2010

The text "Salvation" reminded me of my childhood views compared to the present. I grew up with my brother Gary James, we both went to church on Sundays. We did it because we wanted to not because we had to. He and I helped with the churches event such as the food drive, and community clean ups.

I relied on the church emotionally. I had faith that having faith would make everything going on outside the church better. I continued going until I no longer lived by that church. I was then moved into a home that was strictly christian. Church every Wednesday and Sunday, along with that all the events happening there I had to do including the church plays every year. Any music out side of the religious aspect was not allowed. It was a different way of seeing faith, sense now I had no choice in the matter to be involved with the church.

At the time all this was placed upon me I had already started to loose faith and step back from religion. I didn't get how god could let the things that had happen to me happen. The fact that the family forced religion upon me, after believing so strongly in god for so long, and then being let down so hard did not help my faith grow back.

I had faith and then I lost it. My faith never came back. Just like Langston Hughes I did not receive what I was looking for from the church.
 
Sodchimeg ULZIIUTAS
English 201a
10:00 am-11:50 am M,W
SALVATION
This story is so true, almost same what happened to me 10 years ago. Because of this, the story interested me and I enjoyed reading it. Let me tell you what happened to me then.
I used to work with Korean doctor, who was I believe a real Christian and religious person. I am myself not much…. One day he asked me to come to his Church, watch what happen, how people pray to God and he told me that Jesus Christ really exists. I was told, if you come to the Church and pray “you can hear voice of Jesus, you can feel him in your soul, you can ask his support and he will help you”. I decided to come and watch what will happen. I thought “May be there is a God”.
I was sitting, observing around trying to catch my moment of connection with Jesus. People were praying, singing songs, and crying. I still didn’t get why these people were so emotional? May be they were connected with Jesus? But for me after long 5 hours I felt still same. I didn’t hear any voice form God, I didn’t felt anything.
I didn’t go to Church again. I just not believe in it. Maybe, there is a Jesus somewhere and maybe he does something. I am not speaking for other people. I speak just for myself how I feel.
Ones more again, in this story I found disappointment. I am sure not only young Langston and me, only two people, felt same way. After all, I realized that believe in yourself and it is the best way to get you there where you want to be and what do you want from life.
 
Tonny Mai
Eng 201A 1:00-2:50 MW
2/03/10

The writing by Langston Hughes on salvation is a very detailed and visual writing. I can acually visualize what he is trying to say, it's like hes painting a picture for us, and this makes it really easy for the reader to understand. This is one thing I really like about this writing. The main concept of this writing is how when he was younger, he experience the guilt he had from lieing about seeing jesus to his grandmother. After reading a peace from this writing, if I have the time I would difinetly read this book by Langston Hughes.
 
Adilene Velazquez
Professor Sabir
English 201A
MW 10-11:50

Reading the story “Salvation” by Langston Hughes, made me think about how different cultures and religions have their own way of reaching to God. I believe that it is important to be close to God in order to have a true purpose in life. Each religion has its own way of reaching to him. In this story, Langston is reflecting on his salvation, although he doesn’t really consider it a salvation. He was placed in a situation where he had to say he saw Jesus when he really didn’t. Langston felt really sad for lying, although he didn’t really have another option. I’m sure that not all the children of the church saw Jesus either, but they were under lots of pressure to say that they did. I’m a religious person, but I think that these types of lies are what make children and not just children but other people as well to lose faith in God. It was interesting to read this story because it is full of details, and it really grabs the reader’s attention.
 
Jasmine Kemper
201B 10-1150am
Feb 2,2010

After reading the story Salvation it made me think about when I was younger and I was forced to go to a baptist church. Well my mother wanted me to attend with my to brothers and she said women wear dresses and skirts things of that sort. I was mad always waking up early on sundays when I could of been sleeping in. Matter a fact I was even madder because she did not attend but we had to. the preacher would talk so long and my brother would always fall asleep it was so embarrissing. The preacher would always talk about becomming saved to the point my two brothers were baptized which left me as an outkast. As I look back now I think to myself I am happy I wasnt bastized then because i know the true meaning of it now. In the story i do believe that the church was wrong for trying to make the young man be saved for the simple fact he is still young and maybe he did not know the real meaning of it.
 
DAVID BROWN
ENGLISH 201A 10-11:50
FEB 2,2010

I think that this story is a prime example on how people think in today's times. People are pressured by friends and family to do or believe in things they dont themselves. I feel like people do things according to whats around them. If theres a sufficent amount of people around you who believe in something, you too will eventually feel the same way. I love the way Langston Hughes brings his story in all serious and then throws you for a loop with his comedic relief to ease the tension. I can relate how the boy felt when he told the lie and he knew telling the truth was no option. It reminds me of the time when I took my cousins favorite shoes and threw them away on accident. By the time i had realized it the garbage truck was long gone. His dead father bought him those shoes and I felt horrible, but if he knew i threw them away we probally would have never talked again.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LANGSTON HUGHES
 
Gilbert Canlas
English 201A 10-11:50am
February 3 2010

The short story tells us a boy named Langston who was told that his life will be saved if he feel, see Jesus. I myself was a christian back in my old country. I remember I used to believe in him and every single sunday, we have to go to church and pray. I was not really praying because I do not know where to start. My grandma wanted me to be a 'sacristan' which is the priest's assistant in the church. I did not volunteer to join because I remember there was a rule that I am not suppose to have a girlfriend if I join it. I lost interested on praying when I started thinking that, you do not need a cross to know what is right or what is wrong. And the same as what Langston experienced, I did not see, feel Him at all.
 
Tasha Louza
Eng: 201A 10-11:50
3-Feb-10

Question:
1. The narrative points or thesis was… Getting pressure to do something, may change your mind about something
2. Yes I think the adult was unfair about pressuring the children, because the children may not know what they was doing, I fell they should let them get salvation on there on time.
3. They way Langston define see, He thought he was going to physically see Jesus… He was disappointed because he didn’t really see Jesus.
4. I don’t think Westley and Langston reaction was different because, they both got to get the adult off his back, but at the end of the short story, he didn’t believe in god anymore
5. I think it was kind of both because, the was pressure but at the end of the short story he stop believing god because he was so pressure by the adults
6. Hughes thesis was implied rather than expressed directly, because his story has different meaning, so the thesis was very implied then expressed directly.
7. He was adult looking back as a kid going to the revival.
8. I think the audience have to be acquainted to the religious because salvation is more than people pressure you to cry out in front of the church, Salvation is away to live a better life with god. So when his friend Westley, lied in front of the church, the adult really didn’t get their point cross because he lied to get them off his back.
9. The hymn of the lyrics contributes, because the song mainly was talking to him because he was the only children sitting so they wanted to come in get salvation.

Summary
In Langston Hughes short story “Salvation”, Langston tell a story about how he stop believing in god, He told about how he felt, what they said, also about what one of he’s friend said. He was at a church they wanted all the kids to get salvation, every kids except to Langston and Westley was lift, Westley was the one who got up so, it can be over now. But I felt Langston was looking for the physically body of god but as he was waiting they pressure him to act like he wanted to get salvation. By the end of the short story Langston didn’t see what he was looking for so he stop believing.
 
Adrianna Sterling
February 3, 2010
English 201A 10-11:50a

1. The Narrative point “Salvation” was about a little boy who couldn’t really focus on being saved

2. I believe the parents put a lot of pressure on him becoming saved , I don’t think he was necessary ready and they should have waited until the child was ready

3. He defined “see” as being able to see the light, so he was waiting to be able to see Jesus. He stated that “ I wanted to see him “ (L. Hughes p50) So “see” to him was having the ability to see Jesus

4. Westley reaction was that he didn’t care to see the light so he faked it. It really didn’t mean that much to him he just wanted to hurry up and be saved.

5. To me I believe that Hughes may have wanted his essay to remember the realities of childhood and see the pressure that Adults put on children when it comes to salvation and becoming saved. Pressuring a child to do something they he/she may not be interested in. You never know if that’s the religion that the child may want to build a relationship with.

6. He implied his thesis because he wants the reader to hear it from a kid’s point of view rather then adults.

7. He’s looking at it as an adult looking back on his younger years and his past experience

8. I really don’t think the readers would have to comprehend Hughes form a religious point of view.

9. The lyrics are telling the children to come and be saved and to come and see the light of Jesus.

In Langston Hughes’ short story “Salvation” he paints a picture of himself as a little boy whose decisions at a church revival directly reflect mans own instinctive behavioral tendencies for obedience. A young Langston whose congregation wants him to go up and get saved, gives into obedience and ventures to the altar as if he has seen the light of the Holy Spirit. He was a young boy who wanted to be able to see Jesus which left him not ready to put trust in god himself Faith can not be based upon whether or not we receive what we want. Hughes waited long and hard for Jesus to come, and he believed that he would and should come since he asked him.
 
LaTisha Davis
February 3, 2010
English 201A 10-11:50

1. In Langton Hughes short story “Salvation” the narrative point or his thesis of salvation is that
2. The adults were unfair in there pressuring on the children because I feel like it’s the Childs right to experience god for him/her self and to want a relationship with him because they want to not because someone told them too.
3. Young Langston defines see as been able to visually see god or see the light of god. He is then sad because he was looking for something that he can not really see and because he couldn’t see it he was disappointed causing him to lose faith in him.
4. Westley’s reaction was different from Langston’s because Westly didn’t really want to see the light of god and he wanted the whole thing to be over it so he faked seeing the light and receiving god, but Langston really wanted to see the light an not fake it but as Westly wanted it to end so he faked it also.
5. I think Hughes wonted people to see that the pressure that was put on the children to receive the light is scary an if they don’t just open the door an let them walk in instead of pushing them threw, it could scary them off an they end up faking the belief and intern not believing in him at all.
6. Hughes thesis is implied because he wanted it to be in a Childs point of view rather then an adult.
7. Hughes presents his narrative in that he’s looking at it as an adult looking back at his childhood then back to adult.
8. I don’t think they have to be really religious to comprehend his views but at least know a little bit about religion an believing and the pressure to believe.
9. The lyrics are telling the kids to come to Jesus and an pushing them forward hearing the song is pressuring them
Summary:
In Langston hushes short story “salvation” he talks about a little boy who goes to his first revival an is pressured to receive god. He is pushed by his aunt an the pastor singing songs and the other church members. He fails to see the light even though he tries. Another little boy fakes receiving the light he doesn’t want to but decides to just to do it. After not seeing the light he loses faith all together.

um i can really related to this story i was brought to god really early in my life as well and it was very confussing to me as well i didn't know what to believe but i never lost faith in him. My belief in him got stronger as i became older in age I learned more about him. As like him my church had children days an they wanted the children to come to the alter but i never did i was scared, i felt like i shouldnt be pressured into beliving or excepting him an that i will find him in my own time and in my own way. I'm old enough to be reseonsable for my own sins an my own life my mothert introduced us its up to me to make or break the relationship. I have a relationship with him but its not as strong as it should be an i hope it one day will.

i think Langston hughes should have not stood up but he was young so i understand bt i hope instead of giving up an losing faith i hope he tried it again an made a connection.
 
Thinking back on the passage of salvation reminds me of when I got saved.The first time that I tried to get saved I was attending church and all I kept hearing was people saying you need to get saved, they never told me that I had to believe god with my heart and soul. So i went to the alter and I didn't fully believe in him at that time so I didn't get blessed with the holy spirit. So I went home that night and I read a few scriptures that were suggested to me. I read them and at the pastor's bible study class I went back to the alter and I was filled with a cold chill that spread around my whole body and made my feet numb and I fell to the grown and I cried and thank him for trusting me enough to bless me with his holy name. I just surrendered my self to him. So i just feel that if Langston Hughes would have waited he would have been blessed. No matter how long the church had to wait. It wasn't his time yet, but hey I guess we all do things just to make others happy instead of waiting for our time to shine.
-Kelaisha Birdlong
 
Kelaisha Birdlong
English 201A
Mon and Wed 1:00-2:50pm
Feb. 3, 2010

Thinking back on the passage of salvation reminds me of when I got saved.The first time that I tried to get saved I was attending church and all I kept hearing was people saying you need to get saved, they never told me that I had to believe god with my heart and soul. So i went to the alter and I didn't fully believe in him at that time so I didn't get blessed with the holy spirit. So I went home that night and I read a few scriptures that were suggested to me. I read them and at the pastor's bible study class I went back to the alter and I was filled with a cold chill that spread around my whole body and made my feet numb and I fell to the grown and I cried and thank him for trusting me enough to bless me with his holy name. I just surrendered my self to him. So i just feel that if Langston Hughes would have waited he would have been blessed. No matter how long the church had to wait. It wasn't his time yet, but hey I guess we all do things just to make others happy instead of waiting for our time to shine.


( I had to re-post it with my name at the top)
 
David Brown
February 3, 2010
English 201a 10-11:50


1) The narrative point or thesis in “salvation” is peer pressure.
2) I think the adults in Langston Hughes short story “salvation” were unfair to the kids because they forced them or should I say egged them on to say they believed in god. They shouldn’t put a time line on when someone should accept god in their life because he comes to everyone at different times.
3) Young Langston defined see in “salvation” as like physically seeing god (the light) or the feeling he was told he’d receive when it happened. So therefore when he didn’t feel the feeling or seen god he from then on believed there was no god.
4) In the story “salvation” westley got up and went to the alter because he was tired of sitting there which was different for Langston because he got up just please everybody else.
5) I think Langston wants his audience to look at his short story “salvation” as a reminder of how they thought when they were a child and remind them that with things of that stature you have to let nature takes its course.
6) Langston Hughes thesis is implied rather than expressed in “salvation” because he wants you to think from the Childs point of view instead the adults.
7) In the short story “salvation” Langston presents his narrative in flashback order, meaning he is an adult looking back on the past telling about a previous experience.
8) I don’t think that the audience reading “salvation” has to be acquainted with religious revivals to comprehend Hughes’s narrative because everyone has had or will have an experience when they feel pressured to do certain things.
9) The hymn lyrics contributed to young Hughes sense of pressures because of the words. The constant quote of “why don’t you come” is pressure because if he knew why he didn’t see the light he would have just told them, but instead he felt more obligated to see something that wasn’t there.


In the short narrative “salvation” by Langston Hughes he recalls a time when he was younger in which he felt peer pressured. He starts off by telling about his church’s revival and how they called the kids to the alter. At that moment the church members kind of forced the children to accept Jesus Christ as their lord and savior. Most of the children came to the alter, but Langston Hughes did not. They painted the picture of receiving god by saying “you will see the light and a special feeling would come over you”. Those words played a huge role in Langston’s’ dilemma because he didn’t see or feel either claim that the church members stated. When the time came
 
Sonry Chhoth
Professor Sabir
English 201A 10-1150 MW
3 February, 2010

1. The narrative point of the story is the process Langston Hughes went through to try and be saved. He waited patiently to see Jesus but he could not see him.
2. Yes, I do think the adults were being unfair pressuring Langston Hughes. He earnestly wanted to see Jesus and be saved.
3. I think Langston Hughes defined see as meeting Jesus in person. If it was just a vision he would not have been disappointed. Instead, he wanted to see Jesus physically.
4. Westley did not want to wait any longer; he did not even want to be saved, he just wanted to get it over with. Hughes on the other hand, wanted to be saved.
5. I think this essay was a reminder that adults can ruin children’s childhood. They may not do it intentionally but it can happen. Langston Hughes is a prime example, he tried desperately to be saved but the adults’ pressure forced him to lose faith.
6. So the reader can truly read and understand his essay. Maybe he was trying to conceal the thesis to show that things should not be forced.
7. I think his essay created suspension because he was describe what he saw and heard but not revealing too much information. He gradually built up the story until he eventually walked to the alter.
8. I think being acquainted with religious revivals can give someone an advantage in understanding the story better. However, I do not think it is necessary to understand the story. I have never been acquainted with religious revivals but I still understood what Langston was talking about.
9. The hymns were telling Langston to go to the alter and be saved. They did not even give him a chance to be saved. Everyone was praying for Langston alone and it was enormous pressure for one child.

In Langston Hughes’ short story “Salvation,” he told us his ordeal of being saved. His Aunt Reed told him about the big revival in her church. She explained what it is like to be saved and he wanted to meet Jesus. Langston sat calmly on the mourners’ bench to be saved. When the preacher asked the children sitting on the mourners’ bench to be saved, many immediately went up but some stayed behind. When it was down to Westley and Langston, Westley was irritated and went up to be saved. In Langston Hughes’ mind he thought Westley would be struck dead by God for lying. The entire church began singing, chanting, and moaning for Langston to go to the alter and be saved. Hughes, who no longer wanted to hold up the church, finally went up to the alter to be saved. That night, Langston lay in bed crying because he lied about being saved and he no longer believed in Jesus.
 
William Le
Professor Sabir
Eng 201B MW- 10-11:50am
3 February 2010

1. The narrative point of thesis in “Salvation was that not everyone will be saved and that it is not right to force it upon someone.
2. I feel that the adults were very unfair to the children’s by forcing them to believe that they will be saved and brainwashed them to act as if they really seen the light and even caused some to lie to get it over with.
3. Langston was disappointed when he did not see Jesus, he was suppose to see the light and somehow Jesus was suppose to appear before him to let him know that he was saved. Neither was present for him.
4. Westley’s reaction was different from Langston because both of them were not saved but since Westley did not want to become an outcast, he lied and pretended he was saved. Langston actually wanted to be saved but did not see the light he was waiting for.
5. I think that Hughes main objective about his essay was not about adult failure but more about how adults force things on young children’s and then forcing them to believe what the adults say and basically brain washing them into believing something that may or may not happen.
6. Hughes essay was implied for all to know that some things can’t be forced rather then expressing it directly that he did not see the light and it could possibly mean Jesus was unreal.
7. Hughes start his narrative as an innocent boy trying to be saved but instead end up lying because he did not see the light, while others supposedly did.
8. I believe that the audience does not have to actually be religious to understand Hughes narrative. Hughes narrative was mainly to let the audience realize that not all things can be forced upon the children for them to actually believe what they hear.
9. The hymn lyrics put pressure on Hughes by giving him limited time to actually see the light which never did happen and caused him to lie because he did not want to be the only one not saved and disappoint his aunt.

In Langston Hughes short story “Salvation”, he was not able to see the light due to all the pressure from the pastor’s and his aunt. It all started when Hughes was sitting on the mourner’s bench with all the other children’s waiting to be saved, one by one they all saw the light and was saved, when it was his turn, Hughes honestly did not see the light but was pressured into lying that he did see it because he did not want to hold everyone up while the hymn lyrics was chanting for him and at the same time his aunt was asking for him to be saved. Hughes fear disappointment in everyone so he decided he would just lie about it like the boy before him.
 
Sareth Chhoth
Sabir
English 201A
MW 10-12
3, Febuarary 2010

1. The thesis in “Salvation,” is that not everyone can be saved and some lie about it. Some people lie that they were saved because of the peer pressure that they experience from all of the other people.
2. I think that the adults were unfair in their pressures on the children because they force the kids to get saved and tell them the exact thing that they are suppose to see when they get saved. If the kids don’t see that thing they feel like they are not saved.
3. The young Langston defines see as being able to see a light and being able to feel Jesus within themselves. He is then diappointed becausehe expected to see Jesus and feel him but did not.
4. Wesley’s reaction was different than Langston’s because he was tired of sitting and did not care about the peer pressures of the adult’s and did not regret about lying while Langston did regret it and gave in to the pressure.
5. Yes, I think that Hughes wrote this short story as a comment about adult’s failure to remember the realities of childhood because they sometimes forget how it was like to be a child to feel that way and wants them to realize that.
6. Hughes’ thesis is implied rather than expressed because he does not want to tell it directly. He want the readers to find out the whole meaning of the story.
7. I think that Hughes present his narrativeas a refection of his past experience because of all the past tense words that he uses. In my opinion I think that the order does not create suspense but he is only reflecting on the past and nothing exciting is happening yet.
8. I think that some of the audience have to be acquainted with the religious revival to understand the essay because some do not know anything at all about those things. For example some do not know what deacons are.
9. The hymm lyrics contribute to the pressures that Hughes felt because he is loud and it feels like more pressure to him and it also gives him a limited amount of time.

Summary
In Langston Hughes’ short story “Salvation,” he reflects on his past experience about his church’s revival. During the revival the children of the church were going to get saved. Langston was informed that when he gets saved, he would be able to see a light and feel Jesus inside him. He then felt the pressures of the adults’ of the church to get saved. There was another child, Wesley, who was in the same situation as he was but did not felt the same as Langston. In the end Langston could not be saved and lied about it.
 
Shyann Kinzer
Professor Sabir
English 201B 10-1150am
3 February 2010
Langston Hughes
What did the writer say and what did you think?
1) The narrators thesis is that one can’t try to find something that is suppose to find them. Faith comes to a person, but a person in search for faith does not always find it.
2) The parents were in the wrong for pressuring the children when it came to religion. I feel as though parents can have their opinion in what one should believe, but it should result in the child’s choice if they want to go with the parent’s beliefs. If the child would have the chance to choose then they have a chance to think for their self, and what they believe and think.
3) Langston defines see as seeing god, seeing the light. This was suppose to be were he finds faith, yet it does not occur.
4) Wesley’s reaction was fake he acted like he seen the light, but he didn’t. Whereas Langston did not fake the situation.
5) I don’t think that he wanted his essay to be completely to show the parents flaws in pressuring the children. The majority of the essay was meant to show that one can’t look for something that should come find them. At the same time I do think that he was trying to get across that one should think for themselves, and go with there own beliefs.
How did the writer say it?
1) Langston implied the thesis rather than directly express, because he wanted the reader to find their own meaning and to connect it to their own life.
2) Hughes presented his narrative in past tense to create a form of nostalgia in the piece. The nostalgia made it easier for the reader to connect to the piece from personal experience. It does create suspense in the piece. This is by expressing the disappointment after waiting to see the light now finding it.
3) I don’t feel like the reader has to be acquainted with religious reveals, because one can go thought the same kind of thing just in a different situation. As long as person can connect a situation to another situation then one could read this piece with great comprehension.
4) The hymn lyrics add to the pressures that Hughes goes through, because everyone else in the church is praising the lord and worshiping god, yet Hughes does not feel that joy to get him to praise. Along with that sense everyone around him is doing it he looks awkward not doing it.
Summary:
In Langston Hughes’ short story “Salvation”, the narrator expresses the pressure that parents place on their children to follow in their footsteps. Hughes also, expresses the suspense of a child looking to “see” god, and as he keeps looking he finds that he does not “see” the light. The story brings out the pressures the child undergoes, between parents and praise, believing and not believing.
Hughes uses nostalgia through a past tense essay, so readers can connect easier to the narrator from their own experiences. The nostalgia creates a feeling of enlightenment which makes it seem like the author has came to accept that he did not find the light, he did not “see” god. This lets the reader know that’s it is ok that one does not find what is expected, that maybe its just not for them.
 
Gilbert Canlas
Professor Sabir
English 201 10-11:50am
3 February 2010

1.The theses I think can be found in the last paragraph which is the 15th, where it says “… I couldn’t bear to tell her that I had lied, that I had deceived everybody in the church, and hadn’t seen Jesus, and that now I didn’t believe there was a Jesus any more, since he didn’t come to help me.”
2.I think yes, they are unfair because they forced the younglings to be part of what they believe will save them. I believe in an innocent mind of a child, they should not be pressure on such things until after they are able to pick what is right for them. Pressuring them could only lead to what Langston experienced.
3.I think what Langston means about the word see was, he was not revived, there are no beams of light that shines upon him, no singing angel welcomes him, and no Jesus came to see him. And that is why he was disappointed at himself because he lied that he saw Jesus, and everybody else thought that he saw Jesus.
4.Westley reacted hilariously different from Langston. Westley was so tired of waiting, shouted and eventually gave up and stood up, and a minute later he was dancing along with the young lamb that has seen Jesus. While Langston the night after he stood up, he was crying and feel disappointed.
5.Yes, I do think that Langston wanted to say that, he was not a believer since he was a child, and his memory was fresh and he was able to write a story about it. A memory of childhood is not really easy to forget, especially if it was a really disappointing one. Once that happened, the child might grow without any religion to believe in, as oppose to the children that was pressured to believe and eventually became religious adult.

1.I think he just want us to feel what he felt during those times of his life. Rather than giving us a direct opinion of what religion could do to you.
2.At first he told us that his Auntie Reed’s church have a big revival every night. Langston did not entirely believe in Jesus at first. People told him that he will feel more alive, that his sins will be forgiven, and that Jesus will come visit him. So Langston waited and no one came to see him. Eventually he was forced to stand up, and lie that he had seen Jesus. And at the end of the story, he told us that he was disappointed at himself for lying, and that Jesus did not come to help him.
3.I think not because Langston told us what happened in full details. It is obvious that he was pressured, and with that kind of crowd around him, it would not be easy to decline the thing they want you to do. So he was forced to lie.
4.Langston was pressured by the hymn because I think it provoked him to think about Jesus, and gave more expectations to him, which eventually will contribute to his disappointment later on.
 
English 201B
23067 MW1-2:50
Regina L. Cannon

Writing brings up so many fears. Learning how to write correctly has been one of my
Life’s problems. Without learning how to write effectively, I can’t be the powerful woman I know that I
can be. I’m taking your class because I know you are one of the best .I met you many years ago when
you were fairly new as an instructor, I’m very honored, scared, humble, child-like when a English
phrases comes around. I am scared of the terms Verbs, Subject, Verb Agreement, Possessive noun, and
spelling. These things stop me dead in my tracks. So, here’s what I need from you: help, help, help! I’m
committed to do the work but I feel like a toddler when it’s comes to English as the subject. I’m a bad
speller. I sometimes have to say the 5 to 6 times to spell it. That has made me, have incomplete notes
because I’m struck on a word that I can’t spell. Sounding out words is very hard for me, but I’m
committed to solve this problem with your help. Can you write out big words on the board because I
am a visual learner. I am very scares of this class but I’m where I need to be.
I love higher education. I have earned an Associate of Arts in Social Behavioral Sciences and a
certification of completion as a Child Development Teacher. I have been in the Peralta colleges for over
20 years. I feel I’m successful in the sense I never gave up. When I first started college my major was
Business Administration/Accounting. So I have taken General Accounting, Financial Accounting, and
Managerial Accounting and computerial Accounting, and then I became pregnant with my second child
and left college for some time. But I am very fortunate to have made contacts with others in college that
who known employers to hire me as an Accounting Clerk, and a Real Estate professional without a
degree. So, I would enroll in classes sometimes finishing them or dropping them because life was too
crazy or I didn’t give it my all, which comes with a price when you aren’t knowledgeable about the rules
of the college grading system. My transcript looks like a book, I have received so many W’s. I wasn’t
prepared. I didn’t know how to read the college catalog and do the assignment. When I was committed
and serious. I would make good grades. Now my personal goal are to try my hardest in this class, and
my educational goal is to become a good writer so I can achieve my life goal to have a B.A. Degree in
Human Development by 2013.
 
Adam Smith
February 3, 2010
English 201AB 10-1150

1. The narrative point in this essay is to show that even though, the religion is all around you and can be forced automatically just because they are close to you in some way doesn’t mean, religion can forced on you to try to convert under your free will. Religion has to be through a person that needs it themselves and ready for the decision they choose. By forcing religion on someone impacts an intense feeling of under pressure, by showing the fate of any commitment towards it.
2. I do believe that the parents were unfair in pressuring the children into the religion. Though they were the parents, and parents have most control in that time of the children’s life, the children were at an age to decide for themselves to go through with the religion themselves.
3. Langston Hughes defines “See” as more of a visual meaning. When he was in church believing to see the light was something that he really wanted to see. In church to see something is to feel , and when he didn’t feel the spirits he didn’t believe, that seeing is the feeling that one gets.
4. Wesley’s reactions were spiritual and he wanted to feel the spirits, different from Langston because of the beliefs each had different from each other.
5. I don’t believe that it was the feeling of remembering the childhood of the parents the child is suppose to got through, its more of the feeling that everyone can have their own opinion of religion, and their beliefs, and that one should not try and force something on someone, under there will because who’s one to say they will continue that the rest of their life.
6. Hughes thesis is implied rather then expressed directly because it is meant for understanding the story through the reading and understanding what the character goes through with his dealings with family and his religion
7. I believe that the order of the story does create suspense because the story builds up towards the end were it shows how through all that he has been through he has the right feeling to stand up to let his folks know that he’s not ready to fully do the religion and his feelings he’s been having, when going to church.
8. No, the audience doesn’t have to be acquainted for in that way because everyone is going to have their own feeling about how one can be forceful to inform someone about the religion.
9. There are more forceful and personal connections throughout the reading.

Summary: There was once a boy whose family intended to insist that he follows church and feels the ways of god. Though once his family has tried to insist that he goes to church more often and understand the feeling that one can get when going to work. Overtime he went and couldn’t understand the feeling, why the feelings weren’t immediate and was loosing faith that his family believed heavily in, and decided to follow his own ways and made the decision not to go to church anymore for there was no point in his eyes.
 
Regina Cannon
English 201B 1-1:50
Feb 3,2010

It's funny when you are a child and you attendance church. Church can feels so big the worshiper are crying out to Jesus and God. Asks yourself how could a child take this all in? That's why they now have childrens church. Being in a Baptist church is very moving lively and whatever you came for you will receieve if you only believe but that's for adults.
 
Bernardita Rappaport
February 3, 2010
English 201B 10:00 11:50

1) The narrative point in Salvation is that people is save from sin in the church, after seeing Jesus.
2) I think that the adults were unfair with their pressures on the children’s because Langston was kind of forcer to believe in Jesus. Also, the Langston had to lie about his fate and seeing Jesus because he didn`t believe that Jesus come to help him.
3) The young Langston defined see as an unknown feeling that he experiment in the church. Because of that , he feels kind of lonely and confuse in the church.
4) Wesley’s reaction in the church is very different that Langston`s . Also, Wesley acts like he is saved by Jesus because he feels tired of sitting in the church.
5) I think that Hughes doesn`t have the intention to make people to remember things about their childhood. In my opinion, I feel kind of identified by Hedges because he make me feel that I wasn`t the only one lying about my feelings about Jesus and the church when I was a child.
6) Hughes thesis in implied because he is explaining all the reasons and memories that he has to lie about being save by Jesus.
7) Hughes presents his narrative in flashback order. In my opinion, I don`t think that the order of Salvation create suspense.
8) I don`t thing so because to go to church and believe in Jesus have to be something that people wants, not an obligation. When people is been forced to go to the church, in general became ate us.
9) The lyrics contribute to Hughes feelings a lot because as a little boy he have so much pressure to believe in Jesus and he have to lie to his family.
In Langston Hughes short story “Salvation” he talks about his memories as a little boy going to the church. He has so much pressure to believe in Jesus and for that reason he has to lie. Every time he goes to church, he sees so many people crying, singing, praying and sitting because everybody is waiting to be saved by Jesus. In the church, he also has the pressure of his aunt and the minister who make him go to a platform to be saved by Jesus. After that, he feels terrible and he cried because he didn`t see Jesus coming in to his life.
 
Rosecary Aguinaldo
Professor Sabir
3, February 2010
English 201A MW/10-11:50am

Questions:

1)The narrative point or thesis in “Salvation” is deception.

2)I think that the adults were being unfair on pressuring the children in believing in God. It puts a lot of pressure on the children because not all people have the same beliefs and for some people it takes sometime.

3)Young Langston defines see as something very powerful and he was told that when you see a light that’s when you are saved and something incredible should happen to you.

4)Westley’s reaction is different from Langston because Langston didn’t believed in Jesus because he didn’t come and save him . While Westley’s reaction is to go along with it and thinking that there might be someone out there to save them.

5)I think that Langston Hughes wants his essay to be viewed as a reminder of how adults’ sometimes fail to remember the realities of their childhood.

6)Hughes’ thesis is implied rather than expressed directly because it’s a story with moral and anyone can relate to it and it doesn’t necessarily have to be expressed directly because it’s pretty much straightforward.

7)Hughes’ present his narrative by telling the readers in the beginning that he was saved from sin when he was thirteen. Thus making the readers believed that he was saved by Jesus, but when you get to the ending of the story the readers were deceived.

8)I don’t think the audience has to be aquainted with the concept of the religious revivals to comprehend Hughes’ narrative because the way Hughes wrote the essay it’s very clear and vivid in the way he uses words to convey the meaning.

9)The hymn lyrics contribute to the pressures of how Hughes feel because he feels that everyone is being saved by Jesus and being rid of their sins except for him.

Summary:

In Langston Hughes short story “Salvation” he reveals that growing up as a child he was forced to go to church into receiving Jesus by his relatives, peers, and the preacher. However, he was pressured too much by his family that he had to deceive them by telling them that he had seen the light and that Jesus has come to save him. Afterwards, he felt horrible and guilty deceiving his family and the preacher that he cried because Jesus hadn't come to save him.
 
Luis Arechiga 1:00-2:50pm
Professor Sabir
English 201B
3 February 2010

Langston Hughes Questions

1. The narrative point of “Salvation” Is to show that religion can’t be forced upon an individual, and must be experienced firsthand.
2. I believe that the adults were in a since of being a little unfair, yet being fair as well. The adults wanted to show the young ones the magnificent experience of having a divine feeling within themselves. The unfair part was seen that the kids were being somewhat pressured in a way; they were being rushed practically.
3. He defines “see” in a since that he has yet to experience this first hand, and is starting to become less and less of a believer.
4. Westley’s reaction is entirely different by the fact that he stood up and lied just to get out of the bench he was sitting on; He felt annoyed, and wanted to get it over with already.
5. I believe Hughes wants his essay to be read as a reminder more of a comment. Children’s mindsets are at a total different mentality than those compared to adults.
6. Hughes thesis is implied rather than expressed directly because the story expresses more than one idea.
7. Hughes presents his narrative in the order of first person introduction. He starts having flashbacks, and jumps around from past to present; giving us a strong sense of imagery.
8. I believe that not everyone must be acquainted with the concept of religious revivals because everyone has a free will of choosing what to believe. However, the concept of lying to an entire crowd and feeling guilty is entirely understandable.
9. Hymn lyrics contributed to the pressure of young Hughes by everybody focusing on him. All eyes were on him, waiting with anxiousness, with claps, and with songs making Hughes rush to the point.
 
Natalie Hopkins
201A 1:00-2:50
02-3-2010
What did the writer say and what did you think?
1.) The narrative point in salvation is when Langston Hughes shows guilt about seeing Jesus.
2.) I feel the adults were a little too hard on the children they failed to understand how difficult is for a child to learn about new things. I also feel they did not give enough explanation about getting saved to the children.
3.) Langston was disappointed because he was expecting to see Jesus when he got saved.
4.) Westly reaction was to get I over with instead just sitting there like Langston was doing.
5.) I feel Langston wanted to express how he felt about betraying his aunt by lying and saying he saw Jesus. I don’t he is blaming the adults or focusing toward that direction of the story.

How did the writer say it?
1.) Langston does not expressed directly because he wants the readers to get through the passage at his paste.
2.) Langston flashes back on when he was a child and his experiences with salvation.
3.) I feel the readers do not have to required knowledge of religious to get the concept of this passage.
4.) The music and hymn lyrics made Langston nervous and finally wanting get up and get saved
 
Natalie Hopkins
201A 1:00-2:50
02-3-2010
What did the writer say and what did you think?
1.) The narrative point in salvation is when Langston Hughes shows guilt about seeing Jesus.
2.) I feel the adults were a little too hard on the children they failed to understand how difficult is for a child to learn about new things. I also feel they did not give enough explanation about getting saved to the children.
3.) Langston was disappointed because he was expecting to see Jesus when he got saved.
4.) Westly reaction was to get I over with instead just sitting there like Langston was doing.
5.) I feel Langston wanted to express how he felt about betraying his aunt by lying and saying he saw Jesus. I don’t he is blaming the adults or focusing toward that direction of the story.

How did the writer say it?
1.) Langston does not expressed directly because he wants the readers to get through the passage at his paste.
2.) Langston flashes back on when he was a child and his experiences with salvation.
3.) I feel the readers do not have to required knowledge of religious to get the concept of this passage.
4.) The music and hymn lyrics made Langston nervous and finally wanting get up and get saved
 
"Salvation"

The story "Salvation" is
about a 12 year old boy named Langston,and him trying to get one step hirer with Christ.

He begins with him and his aunt Reed going to a revival one night at her church. He expains a atmopher of singing,preaching,praying,and shouting. Langston goes on to say how after the revival they had a special meeting for the children,so they can eccept Christ as well.

He was told by his aunt that when you get saved you see a light,and something happens to your insides. So in the meeting he waits passointly to feel the spirit but it does'nt happen. He watches the other children get up and receive Christ, he even saw the kid who used the Lords name in vain get up.

He sat there wondering why he had'nt seen the light he was told about. when he saw that he was the last one left,he decided to get up because he felt bad about holding up the service. So he lied and said that he had recieved God. When he got up the church started shouting for joy.

After church he went home and went to bed. Then later that night his aunt and uncle heard him crying in his room. His aunt thaught that he was crying because he had eccepted Christ. But he said he was really crying because he had'nt seen Jesus that night, and it made him question his faith. Now he's afraid he does'nt believe in God anymore.


Alicia Candies

English 201

1/3pm
 
Luis Arechiga 1:00-2:50pm
Professor Sabir
English 201B
3 February 2010

Langston Hughes summary (part 2)

In Langston Hughes's short story, "Salvation," he jumps around; a quite amount. He starts off the story by having a flashback, and starts reminiscing of the event. He brings up his aunt, whom takes him to his first revival church experience. He then begins giving imagery of the whole event. Whithin the church he sees: People clapping their hands, yelling halleluyahs, singing hymns, praying, tears droping from the side of their cheecks, and everyone acting as a family which this spiritual event was all about.
Hughes's aunt had the intention to show him what it felt like to be "saved, touched, and loved by Jesus himself." Hughes's was then seperated with the other young ones that were often refered to as "little lambs," by the preacher.
Everyone whithin the over-crowded church then starts to clap their hands in rythmic tones to follow the hymns that were being sung. The preacher then begins to preach; one by one the kids began to rise, claiming to have felt Jesus inside of them. Hughes was the last one left. He began to feel pressured by everyone waiting on him to rise and claim that he has felt the miracle. Hughes then raises, and out come shouts and yells of joy by the whole churc. Hughes then begins to cry; his aunt smiles wide because she is felt with joy of this miracle and the tears of Hughes. But these tears of Hughes were cause of lying to the whole church. From what I believe; Hughes is mentioning that kids have a much different mentality compared to adults, and should not feel pressured.
 
Mo Dabashi
Professor Sabir
English 201A 10-11:50
2/3/10
1. The narrative point or thesis in ‘Salvation’ is a disappointment in something that he believed and turned to be not true.
2. I think that the adults were unfair in their pressure on the children because I think that they shouldn’t pressure them and jus let them find Jesus on their own and be saved if there is Jesus.
3. The young Langston defined see as if he going to see him with his eyes and talk to him.
4. Westley’s reaction was different from Langston’s by him not waiting to see Jesus and jus went and was saved.
5. I don’t think that Hughes wants his essay to be read as a comment about adults’ failure to remember the realities of childhood because he’s talking about a lie that adults lied to them so they could believe in Jesus not a failure that adults had.
6. Hughes’ thesis implied rather than expressed directly because he is talking about more than one thing in the story.
7. Hughes presents his narrative in a flashback order by talking about how he was saved and then how everything happened and he didn’t get saves and didn’t believe in anything anymore.
8. I don’t think that the audience has to be acquainted with the concept of religious revivals to comprehend Hughes’ narrative because they all have their own opinion and they give their own story.
9. The hymn lyrics contribute to the pressure the young Hughes feels by doing the same they doing so it won’t be awkward.
Summary: The story “Salvation” is about a guy named Langston Hughes who’s talking about his childhood and how his family lied to him that he was going to be saved by Jesus. It talks about how he first went to the church and how he was trying to believe that he could be saved but he couldn’t feel it and he couldn’t believe it. He was trying to see Jesus wit his eyes so he could believe that there is Jesus and there is god. However at the end when he didn’t see Jesus he stops believing that there’s god.
 
Adilene Velazquez
Professor Sabir
English 201A MW10-12
3 Feb 2010

1.The narrative point or thesis in “Salvation” is disappointment, and guilt. Langston wanted to experience Jesus’ salvation first hand, but it never happened, and felt guilty about having to lie about it.
2.I do think that the adults were unfair and put a lot of pressure on the children because when they were in the church, they made the children that saw Jesus and were saved from their sins go to the front where everyone could see them. In Langston’s case, he didn’t see Jesus but since he was the last one left and everyone around him was praying for him and waiting for him to go up, he was forced to say that he was saved when he really wasn’t. It was an experience that he couldn’t forget because he felt so bad for lying.
3.Langston defines “see” in a literal way because he was waiting to see what Jesus looked like and wanted to see the light that his aunt told him about. He is disappointed because he never got to see Jesus in a literal way, which made him believe that he never got saved from his sins.
4.Westley’s reaction is different from Langston’s because he noticed that almost all the children had gotten up and he didn’t want to be left alone although he hadn’t seen Jesus. It was also getting late and hot in the church. It seemed to me that Westley didn’t have as much faith as Langston.
5.I don’t think that Langston wants his essay to be read as a comment about adult’s failure to remember the realities of childhood. I think that it is the opposite because he is remembering back when he was thirteen and everyone thought he was saved but he really wasn’t. That experience stayed with him throughout his life and didn’t forget any detail of it, even after years passed.
6.Hughes’ thesis is implied rather than expressed directly because that way the reader will see it more as a real life story rather than a made up essay.
7.Hughes starts his story with a first person narrative, and then he has a flashback of an event that took place during his childhood. After he has told his story he jumps back to the present. I think that the fact that he wrote his story like that makes it more interesting to read because the reader has a sense of what happened and how he felt about it.
8.No, I don’t think that the audience has to be acquainted with the concept of religious revivals to comprehend Hughes narrative because the story is written with lots of details that allow the reader to understand exactly what’s happening. However, I do think that it is important to understand the meaning of the words because if someone’s not familiar with religious words than it might be a little hard to understand the whole story, but that’s when the dictionary comes in handy.
9.The hymn lyrics contribute to the pressure that Langston felt because it probably made him more nervous having the church members singing around him waiting for him to be “saved”.
 
Adilene Velazquez
Professor Sabir
English 201A MW10-12
6 Feb 2010

“Salvation” Summary

In Langston Hughes’ short story “Salvation”, he writes about a personal event that happened during his child hood. He begins with an introduction that lets the reader know what the story will be about. Then he has a flashback to his childhood. The whole story is about a revival that took place in Langston’s aunt’s church where he was told that he would be “saved” and he would see a light, and when he did Jesus would come in to his life. Once at the church, the preacher gave sermon and after that, the children were suppose to go up when they were saved. Some girls went up right away while others kept waiting.
Little by little the children started to go up but Langston stayed in his seat waiting to see Jesus. Meanwhile all the adults were singing songs and kneeling telling him to be saved. It was too much pressure for poor Langston to handle so he was forced to say that he had seen Jesus and was saved, when he really wasn’t. Langston felt so bad for lying that he was never able to forget that day. It was the day he stopped believing in Jesus, because he wasn’t there when he needed him.
 
Shakira Makanjuola
Wanda Sabir
English 201B
MW 1PM-2:50PM
Feb 3, 2010
Salvation Questions

1. What is the narrative point or thesis in “Salvation”?
The thesis in “Salvation” is a story about child felt guilt when he lies about seeing Jesus.
2. Do you think that the adults were unfair in their pressures on the children? Why or why not? Well I don’t think the adults were unfair in their pressures on the children because they want them to take their time and not rush. The boy takes his time and waiting but nothing happen.
3.How does the young Langston define see? Why, then, is he disappointed? The young Langston defines see as he really going to see Jesus. He thought Jesus is going to came to him and saved him because his aunties told that he’s going to see Jesus feel and hear him in his soul and he believe her.
4.Do you think that Hughes wants his essay to be read as comment about adults’ failure to remember her realities of childhood? Explain.
Yes because he doesn’t them to do the same mistake he has done. He wants to learn from his mistake. He doesn’t want the adults’ not to rush the children. I think he also want the adult’s to explain what seeing Jesus mean so they can understand it because a lot of children don’t understand when they say you going see Jesus.
5.How is Westley’s reaction different from Langston’s? There was no different between both of them, Westly’s just got up before Langston did.. He was tired of sitting.

How did the writer say it?
1.I think Hughes’ wants the reader to find the mean of his story.
2.Hughes presents his narrative by being with his story how his was saved by his sin then he explains how he was saved step by step. Yes the order creates suspense for the reader because it shows what happen next. When you reading the story it explain the details very clear and understand.
3.The hymn lyrics contribute to the pressures the young Hughes felt because they pressure him.
 
David Vergara Jr
Professor Sabir
English 201A 1pm-2:50pm
February 3, 2010


1) I think the narrative point in “Salvation” is that to when you lie there are always repercussions especially if you lie in a church full of believers.
2) Yes the adults were unfair because they put a lot of pressure on Hughes thus having him lie about seeing Jesus and satisfying everyone except for himself.
3) He defines “see” as the way his aunt put it; He defines it as actually seeing Jesus, feeling him, and hearing him. He defines “see” as actually seeing him as an actual person rather than spiritually seeing him.
4) Westley’s reaction was to hurry up and get saved so that they wouldn’t hold up the congregation. Rather compared to Langston’s reaction of wonder and patience to get saved and see Jesus.
5) Probably, I think he was trying to show the flaw of adults and the pressures they put on a young child who is actually trying to give their best and make their elders happy rather than disappointment.
6) I think he wanted to give a story of his lie and guilt rather saying it right then and there. I think he wanted to imply it so that the reader can read the story first then see what is the point rather than knowing in the beginning.
7) He presents it in a flashback when he was an adult and reflecting on his younger days. The order does create suspense because we are all waiting to see whether or not he sees Jesus or gets saved.
8) Yes it does because it showing the importance of getting saved and how the revival is very important. The details that support this answer is when his aunt is talking about what happens when you see the light meaning you’re saved. Another detail is when he described the reactions to the preacher’s sermon and how everyone went crazy.
9) It puts a lot of pressure because while he is waiting patiently everyone has already gone to Jesus. While he is still waiting Hughes sees his aunt sobbing and telling him “Why don’t you come? Why don’t you come be saved?” which puts even more on Hughes thus having him to lie and say he is saved.


In Langston Hughes’s short story “Salvation,” he tells his experience of lie and guilt when he was a young boy. Langston was thirteen years old and he describes about the day he saved but not really saved at the same time. He talks about the day of revival which is an important church event and he talks about the events that took place. He talks about the people and their reaction to the Pastor’s sermon. He describes events leading to where it is time for the children to be saved and see Jesus; Things that his aunt told him. The pastor had asked Langston along with a group of other children to come and be saved. After waiting and seeing other children go and be saved Langston had not seen Jesus the way his aunt had described. Soon he was compelled to lie after seeing that he was the only child waiting to be saved, along with the pressure of his aunt. After lying to his aunt and the church Langston is in tears disgusted with himself and feels guilty. Langston could not bear to tell his aunt or any members of the church that he had lied about seeing Jesus. He soon realized that his only savior could only be himself.
 
Latsha Davis
English 201a 10-11:50am
Feb 7,2010

responding to demel bullock

i remember all that as well very overwelling when your a kid i know i use to always try to catch my zzzzz's an get smacked. i'm liking how you bring your childhood. it makes the reader feel like their with you and i bet it brings memorys.
 
Rosecary Aguinaldo
Professor Sabir
8, February 2010
English 201A MW/10-11:50am

Responding to Luis Arechiga...

I completely agree with you. When I first read "Salvation" by Langston Hughes, I thought it was going to be one of those stories that are hard to grasp. But as I start to read furthermore, it made me enjoy the whole story because the author described each scenes with vivid words that helped the readers to understand and grasp the situation by the way he creates the words. It made feel like I am part of the story.
 
Sodchimeg Ulziiutas
English 201A, MW 10:00-11:50
02/08/2010

1. The narrative point in “SALVATION” is important for adults to explain things to children in a way that it makes sense to them until they are old enough to think critically like adults taking emotions, feelings and beliefs into consideration.
2. Yes, adults were unfair .It was confusing for the young boy to understand the spiritual meaning of religion and believe, therefore it greatly impacted his life.
3. To young Langston, the word "see" had direct literal meaning. Since children tend to understand things literally, straight forward, young Langston was waiting to see the God in person like you would other people.
4. A boy Westley’s reaction differs from Langston’s; the boy didn’t believe any more in existence of Jesus and he wanted to finish this procedure as quick as possible.
5. One reason for Hughes to imply the thesis rather than directly expressing is to draw the reader into his writing. If the whole point of the essay was clearly written in one sentence, then the reader would not want to read the rest of the writing and would lose the interest.
6. The writer right away starts off the essay by explaining the impact that event have had on him. As an adult himself, he looks back at the event and narrates its importance.
7. Since Hughes clearly explains the process of revival in the first paragraph, by saying that it is an event to bring sinners to Christ and welcome the God into their lives, which helps the reader to connect with the story.
8. Hymn lyrics contribute to the pressures the young Hughes feels because it showed to the young Hughes that everyone in the church praised the God, believed in the God and the God was real to them.
9. I think Hughes wrote this essay to be read as a comment about adult's failure to remember the realities of childhood. Children take things literal and may not quite understand the spiritual and emotional aspects of life like adults do.



SUMMARY
The young Langston was brought to the Church to be saved by Jesus, when he was 12 years old. His aunt Reed brought him to her Church, where they had special meeting for children.
Before go to Church Langston’s aunt told him that he will be saved by Jesus if see will see a light and feel something inside him.
The members of the Church were singing songs; praying and calling the children come to Jesus. Some of the kids jumped up from the bench and been saved. At the end of this ceremony most of the children were saved and gone to alter, but only Langston and a boy named Westley are still sitting.
It was getting late and too hot in the Church. Westaley couldn’t stand any more, he just get up and was saved. Young Langston was waiting and waiting to see Jesus but nothing happened to him.
Everybody in the Church was praying for Langston. He felt guilty about himself holding everybody this late. Then he decided to lie that he sees Jesus and finish this ceremony. Langston got up and saw everybody in the Church was excited to see him been saved.
That night Langston cried as a big boy and couldn’t stop because he couldn’t accept that he laid not only to his aunt also everybody in the Church about seen Jesus and he does not believe in existence of Jesus any more.
 
Natalie hopkins
201 1:00pm-2:50pm
Part2
Summary to Salvation
The children would feel his spirit Langston did not understand when he was a child. He cried because he felt he lied to his aunt and the church by saying he felt and seen all those things if it was me I would have told them I did not understand and ask for a more detailed explanation. I’m sure some of the children at that did not know what it meant to be save either. They just wanted to get it over with
Langston did not want to be saving because he did not believe Jesus was going to come. He just sat there I do not think it was explained to him right or misunderstood what the adult meant by get save. I believe the church meant that the young children well eventually see the power of Jesus in the things he has done also
 
Darrius Sutton
February 3, 2010
English 201 A

Question 1:
Salvation is like being freed from whatever was holding you back. (Being Saved). I don’t feel that his salvation will come how it was intended to. His salvation will come when he builds up the courage to tell everyone that he lied about the whole situation.

Question 2:
Well its yes and no to this question. Yes because I feel that it is necessary for children to be involved in their church and to take their religion seriously. There are too many youth walking around today with no direction. God can be the one to guide you in the right direction even when you feel that no one else can. But as everyone knows it is hard to see what is good for you at such a young age. This is the reason that parents need to push their kid’s into going to church on a regular basis. No because even though I feel that children should be involved in their church, I feel that to give your self to God is a commitment that you are not ready to make until you’re older. The reason that this is, is because the severity of what you are doing could only make sense when you are a man or a woman. When you give your self to the lord you are now saying I want to live by his words. Now at twelve years old how can you make a decision like that one which will affect you your whole life.

Question 3:
He defines see as if he is to physically see God during this ceremony. I think the see was referring more to feeling him throughout your body and see his amazing power. Also to see the benefits he can bestow upon your life. You’re not actually supposed to see him with your own two eyes.

Question 4:
Westley felt no remorse about not really being saved. He stood up without feeling anything afterwards. Langston did the exact same thing except he felt guilty about getting up in front of the whole church and lying to them. Not only had he lied to the whole church but he lied to the congregation and God.

Question 5:
I think so because everyone forgets that you can only force kids to do so much. Adults often fail to put them selves in the child’s shoes. When they were that young and you had a whole crowd waiting on you, what would you do stand up and relieve the pressure or sit there until everyone slowly left the room. if you just put your self in Langston’s shoes for a moment then you would see what he did was not necessarily right but it is understandable. the fact still remains that hope is not lost for this young boy he can always try again when he is older and feels that he is ready to accept god into his life.



Q1
He wasn’t saved during the whole ceremony. Plus at the end of the story he lied to everyone just to get out of there.

Q2
He is remembering the past. This happened when he was a child but he wrote it as a man. So it would make the narrative past tense. The only thing that creates suspense is the fact that he waits until the end to tell whether he gets saved. Because you have to wait until the end to see what happens.

Q3
Yes in the sense that you would have to know what it means to be saved. But as long as you have a clear understanding of what it means to be saved, you will be fine. You don’t necessarily have to believe in God to understand what he is trying to say. If someone who didn’t believe in God but still understand the process of being saved, then you will have no problem. It is because you have a full meaning of giving yourself to the God. But if you think like Hughes did then you will think that you actually need to see Jesus to be saved. When in reality, that is impossible.

Q4
Because the whole congregation is singing and that will put pressure on you naturally. A room full of people wanting you to do and feel something that you simply can’t at that point in your life.
 
Tonny Mai
English 201A
MW 1:00-2:50

1) The thesis in “SALVATION” is guilt, deception and dissapointment.

2) Yes, I beliece the adults were unfair. The child was still young and he had no idea what he was up against and it was probably very confusing for the young boy.

3) To young Langston, the word "see" had direct literal meaning. As A kid to see something is to acually see it, as another person. But when he didnt acually see, he choked up and lie and told everyone he seen it.

4) Westley’s reaction was different than Langston’s because he didn’t believe anymore in the existence of Jesus and he wanted to finish this procedure as quick as possible.

5) Hughes wanted us to piant a picture of his story. He wanted us to relate with the story as well. Also giving us a little experience of his childhood so other parents can just let childrens be childrens. They're not going to know what religion you're practicing and follow along with it, they're going to be kid so let them be kids.

1) The writer right away starts off the essay by explaining the impact that event have had on him. He wanted us to relate with it and know right away the main theme of the story is.

2) Hughes presents his narrative in flashback order. I don`t think that the order of Salvation creates an eye catcher for the reader as much.

3) I think the audience have to be acquainted to the religious because salvation is more than people pressure you to cry out in front of the church, Salvation is away to live a better life with god. So when the kid lied, the oint wasn't gottten across, he just wanted to get it over with.

4) The hymns were telling Langston to go to the alter and be saved. They did not even give him a chance to be saved. Everyone was praying for Langston alone and it was alot pressure for one child.

Summary

The writing by Langston Hughes on salvation is a very detailed and visual writing. I can acually visualize what he is trying to say, it's like hes painting a picture for us, and this makes it really easy for the reader to understand. This is one thing I really like about this writing. The main concept of this writing is how when he was younger, he experience the guilt he had from lieing about seeing jesus to his grandmother. After reading a peace from this writing, if I have the time I would difinetly read this book by Langston Hughes.

(This summary was posted earlier up top)
 
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