Reaction Paper-Week IV
University of Phoenix
Eng/125
The nonfiction stories I read for this assignment were “Salvation, by
Langston Hughes and Graduation, by Maya Angelou.”
In the story “Salvation,” a young sinner, Langston Hughes, is brought to
church by his aunt to “find Jesus." Even though Langston felt no
connection to Jesus, he felt obligated to pretend, due to his love for his
aunt. In our lives, many of our decisions are influenced by the ones close to
us because of the love we have for them. We do not want to disappoint our love
ones; therefore, occasionally one may defer goals and aspirations in fear of
not receiving approval.
When Langston Hughes says “So I decided that maybe to save further
trouble, I‘d rather lie too, and say that Jesus had come, and get up and be
saved.” Having said this, young Langston has apparently overlooked his personal
belief to receive an approval of salvation by the congregation.
After reading this story, I realized that everyday individuals are faced
with hundreds of decisions and choices. Sometimes our consciences conflict with
one another and it is hard to make the most beneficial decision. This happens
so often that most of the time it will go past unnoticed. Peer pressure is one
of the most common of these "bad consciences." Teenagers are the most
vulnerable to peer pressure because of their desire to receive approval from
their friends. Even in my own life I have been faced with making decisions
based on the approval of others. Case in point, I married at age 20; I changed
my mind about getting married, but in fear of hurting others I put my feelings
aside because my mother had already spent her hard earned money and the wedding
party had already paid for their attire, I felt obligated to go forward knowing
that I truly did not love my future husband. However, in the end I caused
myself grief and pain which could have been avoided if I had been truthful to
myself and everyone else.
In the “Graduation” by Maya Angelo this nonfiction literary work portrays
what it is like being a young adult entering the world of adulthood.
Surprisingly, these young adults are the minority in a country that believes
blacks are only good for manual labor and farming.
Yet, in this story, the “Negro National Anthem” is what gave this
graduation class the strength to rise above what society wanted them to
believe. As Maya Angelo stated: And now I heard, really for the first time:
“We have come over a way that with tears have been watered,
We have come, treading our path through blood of the slaughtered.”
However, in this story, I felt a sense of relation even thou I did not
grow up during this era, I believe that the concept that Maya Angelo was trying
to convey, is still an active thought in people’s minds today. Although, times
have changed considerably, yet, as an African American woman, I still believe
that I have to work harder to prove myself in order to succeed. To prepare
oneself for something that one has worked so hard for, only to be let down is
depressing. In this story the graduating class was so delighted that they had
made it to this level, and dreamed of progressing further only to be mentally
challenged by the guest speaker at their graduation.
Consequentially, a senior at the University of Phoenix, I am at the
pinnacle of receiving my degree, despite circumstances there is something that
gives me strength to rise above the ills of society. In spite of this, the
“Negro National Anthem” resonates in me a belief that allows me to think and
know that I can accomplish anything. It promotes me to be proud of my heritage
and to know that all things are possible if one believes in his or her self.
What makes each of the chosen selections nonfiction?
Non-fiction stories are based on real things, people, events, and places,
therefore, these two literary selections are based on each author’s life
experiences.
Is imagination required for writing and reading nonfiction? Why or why
both?
Indeed, the author can choose to take a creative, emotional approach to
such writing, as in the case of a personal essay, or a more emotionally distant
point of view, such as journalism.
However, both Langston Hughes and Maya Angelo take the former approach to
relate to the reader a particular element from their own lives. The strongly
emotional and somewhat tragic background of each story makes the former
approach appropriate in both cases
Indeed, the author can choose to take a creative, emotional approach to
such writing, as in the case of a personal essay, or a more emotionally distant
point of view, such as journalism.
However, both Langston Hughes and Maya Angelo take the former approach to
relate to the reader a particular element from their own lives. The strongly
emotional and somewhat tragic background of each story makes the former
approach appropriate in both cases."
References
Barnet, Sylvan. Burto, William. Cain., William E. (2008). Literature for
Composition Reading and Writing Arguments about Essays, Stories, Poems, and
Plays 8th ed.
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