The young boy in the story “Salvation”, by Langston Hughes can be described using various words, based on his characteristics and events that took place throughout the story. In the beginning Langston and his aunt are at the big revival that is taking p[ace in the church. The aunt describes how Langston would feel, see, and hear Jesus and so Langston has taken that personally and seriously. Therefore, Langston eagerly awaits for Jesus to come, portraying characteristics of being naïve and gullible. This shows how Langston is inexperienced and is easily persuaded by the members of church. During the middle of the story, Langston faces a conflict of his own and lies to the member of the church and his aunt that he saw Jesus. When in fact he had no such encounter with Jesus and was almost pressured into claiming this with the heavy devotion and religious influence in the church and on salvation. The young boy finally gave in and went up to fit in with the rest of the children who Jesus had “seen”. This was almost like a defense mechanism for Langston as he did not want to deceive everybody in the church, including himself. This results in Langston feeling a huge loss of faith and connection with Jesus and almost self doubts. By the end of the story, Langston has changed from being a naïve and gullible young boy to finally realizing what was promised was not promised in a sense. The best words to describe the young boy towards the end of the story would be disappointed, confused, despair, and even heartbroken. The lack of truth into how and what his aunt had said to him has caused him to feel this way. After all, he thought and was almost described to that meeting Jesus in the revival was a tangible and lively experience, only to be disappointed in the end.
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