Langston Hughes’ Salvation A closer Look at the STORY Mrs. Puder Houston Community College – Northwest College

Questions - Hughes’ Salvation Plot - What is the point of the story? The point of the story is to illustrate the heartbreak, a thirteen year old boy feels when his moment of salvation never occurs. Pace – The pace is the story’s movement, from one event to another. How is the story paced? Par 1-3 – In these passages, the setting is established, and the story begins. (Par 1) I was saved from sin when I was . . . (Par 2) My aunt told me . . . (Par 3) The preacher preached a wonderful . . .

Pace Continued Par 5 Still I kept waiting . . . Par 6 Finally all the young . . . Par 7 Then I was left all alone Par 11 Now it was really getting late. Par 13 Suddenly the whole room broke . . . Par 15 That night, for the last time in my life but one . . .

Description Where is description used well? Par 1 escorted to the front row and placed on the mourner’s bench . . . Par 2 saw a light . . . something happened to you inside . . . see and hear and feel . . . Par 3 wonderful rhythmical sermon , all moans and shouts and lonely . . . Par 4 old women with jet-black faces and . . . old men with work gnarled hands. Par 7 congregation prayed for me alone, in a mighty wail of moans and voices . . . Par 11 swinging his knickerbockered legs and grinning down at me . . . Par 13 whole room broke into a sea of shouting . . . rejoicing swept the place . . . leaped in the air . . . threw her arms around me . . . took me by the hand . . . Led me to the platform. Par 15 buried my head in the quilts . . .

Dialogue Does dialogue improve or distract from your understanding of the story? Dialogue use definitely improves the understanding of the story. In paragraph 3, the sermon is brought to life. “Won’t you come? Won’t your come to Jesus? Young lambs, won’t you come?” In paragraph 6, we understand the type of child Westley. He whispers, “God damn! I’m tired o’ sitting here. In paragraph 8, the audience feels Langston’s frustration as the minister pleads with him. “My dear child, why don’t you come to Jesus? Jesus is waiting for you. He wants you. Why don’t you come?

Action Verbs Bring About A Visual List fifteen action verbs. More action verbs. Saved Preaching Singing Praying Shouting Crowded Waiting Braided Ashamed Swinging Grinning Knickerbockered Rejoicing Gnarled Sobbed

Meaning Within Action Verbs Illustrate three-five passages explaining how action verbs improve the understanding of the story, setting, character, etc. Par 3 Dire Pictures of hell . . . Par 7 Swirled all around me . . . Par13 Waves of rejoicing . . . Par 15 Crying because I couldn’t bear to tell . . .

Sentence Variety Where does the author use sentence variety? Sentence variety can be seen when the author uses other kinds of sentences than merely simple, one independent clauses. Variety is seen in compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences. List five-eight. Par 7 My aunt came and knelt at my knees and cried while prayers and songs swirled all around me in the little church. (Complex Sentence) Par 7 I wanted to see him, but nothing happen. (Compound Sentence) Par 7 I wanted something to happen, but nothing happened. (Compound Sentence)

Sentence Variety Continued Par 11 I began to wonder what God thought about Westley, who certainly hadn’t seen Jesus either, but who was now sitting proudly on the platform, swinging his knickerbockered legs and grinning down, surrounded by deacons and old women on their knees praying. (Complex Sentence)