I have connected with the the story “Salvation” by Langston Hughes by having been in his shoes at one point in my life. I also remember the times I have visited church throughout my early childhood into my teen years and having felt pressure to follow and believe in the same ideologies and principles that are taught in church. I’ve felt peer pressured into joining many activities revolving around the church and trying to experience and understand what everyone else around me felt. Many of whom came often in attempt to repent for their sins and get saved, while I sat and witness but was obligated to become involved to external pressure from the people around me.
I connect to the story “Araby” by James Joyce through the depiction of how reality is often disappointing and at a certain point being stuck within a state of delusion, yet often later results in a period of self reflection.
