Salvation

I can't say I'm able to relate to Langston Hughes's situation, but I can understand why he chose to lose his faith. This lack of faith may also be the implied basis for "Salvation," and may also have the ability to tell us something further about Hughes. I believe the reason why he wrote "Salvation" is more important than the story itself. In fact, I believe he never actually regained his full faith in God.

If you focus on the last statement of the story, you can't help but wonder if Hughes ever made peace with God at all. Instead, he ends "Salvation" as though he was the one who needed to forgive Jesus for not helping him. It sounds like someone is holding a grudge.

Actually, if you notice Hughes's age at the time he wrote the story, you'll see it would have to be a grudge of 26 years, making him 38. He's not old, but his youth is waning, and he's probably starting to look back and wonder if some of his long held beliefs are relevant anymore. I think he was trying to sort out whether his experience with the revival was biased by his age or whether he had made a logical decision to throw Jesus out of his life. He never once indicated a lack of support for the younger Hughes.

There is one more thing that makes me believe Hughes wrote this out of animosity for Christ. He really made it clear that he was under pressure to see Jesus and go with God at the revival. This pressure made him deceive his family, doubt himself, and further his lack of faith. These things can shape a 12 year old boy into what he'll be for the rest of his life.

If you're really still wondering whether Hughes had an ongoing lack of faith for his whole life, then I suggest you read some of his other literary works. For instance, check out "Good Bye Christ," or "Christ in Alabama."