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

2. 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 . . .

3. 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

4. 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 . . .

5. 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?

6. 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

7. 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 . . .

8. 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)

9. 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)