Based on the “Salvation” essay
Langston Hughes’ “Salvation” essay purposely examines religion from the perspective of a particularly
memorable childhood experience. In the essay, Langston Hughes clearly says that he comes away from
the revival experience no longer believing “there was a Jesus anymore, since He didn’t come to help”
(669) when Hughes felt he most needed Jesus. If you select this essay as a topic,
First, examine the essay title. Do you find Hughes’ attitude at the end of his essay regarding religion to be
ironic, meaning do you find the essay title, “Salvation” to be incongruent with what he says at the end of
the essay? WHY or WHY NOT? Explain.
Next, based on your reading of his essay, WHY DO YOU THINK that childhood in particular is a time in life
when religious questions are especially relevant (significant)? Write an essay which explores answers to
both of these questions.