Personal Narrative Essays (Page 5 of 5) in pdf

Personal Narrative Essays Page 5

7. Why is Westley significant to Hughes’ narrative? Like Hughes, Westley does not

feel compelled to be saved. However, Westley decides to lie about his salvation.

Westley’s lying gives Hughes his solution. Westley also affirms Hughes’ reality: they

both have not had an encounter with Jesus.

8. How does Hughes seek to resolve his internal conflict? Hughes decides to lie too.

Because these two young boys have to lie, readers understand the weight that is placed

on this decision. Readers understand the pressure these young boys are under. Even

further, readers may begin to question the church’s understanding of salvation.

9. What does Hughes’ crying reveal? Hughes’ crying reveals that his internal conflict is

not over. He feels guilty for lying, deceiving his church, and ultimately not witnessing

Jesus.

10. What is Hughes’ conclusion, and how does it relate to his topic? Hughes provides his

new stance. He does not believe there is a Jesus. Hughes was given an expectation of

what it means to be saved, so when he did not experience this, he began to doubt himself

and eventually his belief in God. Based on everybody else’s description of salvation in

his community, Hughes felt Jesus had let him down in his absence.

11. What is the significance of Hughes’ conclusion as it pertains to his audience? How

does this central argument speak to a reality shared with his audience? Hughes was

denied the opportunity to experience Jesus for himself because of the preexisting and

limited expectation of that experience from his community. Hughes’ conflict and ultimate

conclusion reveal the inclination most of us have to reject something we cannot conform

to.

Personal Narrative Essays, Spring 2015.

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Personal Narrative Essays Page 5