“Salvation” by Langston Hughes is a short story which follows the spiritual journey of a young African American boy as he comes to accept his faith. The story begins with the main character, who is unnamed, at church with his aunt and her friends where they sing hymns and discuss salvation. Despite being surrounded by these people professing their faith in Jesus, the boy does not feel the same connection to

God that others do.

He listens intently hoping for something that will make him ‘see the light’ yet when it doesn’t come he finds himself feeling more confused than before. Later that night he makes his way up to the altar determined to find salvation; however what awaits him instead are feelings of guilt and shame leading him to realize that simply believing in Jesus isn’t enough if you don’t have true faith in your heart.

The story concludes with an understanding of how faith should be experienced rather than simply believed; this idea challenges readers to examine their own beliefs while also encouraging them to look beyond themselves in order find inner peace and satisfaction through connecting with God.