Salvation by Langston Hughes and Conversion of the Jews by Philip Roth are about the struggle of a young generation that is trying to fit itself into a framework of beliefs that belong to their family and their community

In the story "Conversion of the Jews", Ozzie Freedman, a Jewish teenager, questions the hypocrisy that he witnesses as a result of solidarity and devotion to Jewish formalism. He is respectful of Jewish ceremonies, his reverence to his religion can be seen when he watches his mother light the candles for the Sabbath. It was said that Ozzie thought there should no sound when his mother lit these candles, it means a lot to him. But he is quick to point out hypocrisies that he sees committed by his Jewish community, and he refuses to be silenced in his quest for the truth. Rabbi Binder is trying to suppress Ozzie's views. But Ozzie, unlike any other boy at his school, is curious about religion. He is full of questions that he wants answered. He is happy when he's reading slowly so he can understand more about his religion, proving that Ozzie did indeed care a great deal. Ozzie has obvious love for his religion. Several times he stands up to Rabbi Binder in order to get the answers to his questions about religion. However, the biggest proof of his interest in the topic comes when he screams at Rabbi Binder, claiming that the Rabbi doesn't know anything about God. Ozzie takes his religion very seriously, and has a deep appreciation for it.

In the second story "Salvation" the main character was willing to believe in Jesus, he was waiting for him to show up at the church. To the little boy the believe was based on seeing it for himself, and after everybody told him he will see Jesus, he was horrified to admit that he didn't. Hughes was upset and sad. The church environment persuades the children attending the service to believe the words of the preacher. It is very easy to influence and convince children in many ways. The situation young Hughes is put in seems like brainwash. He is supposed to obey the majority's belief. Since it is easy to influence the imagination of children, some of the children might have believed that they were experiencing miracles. Children tend to believe most of what they have been told by their mentors or family, without questioning. The adults who are try to convince the children of their spiritual beliefs seem to be more like hypocrites and liars.

But everybody is different so each boy found its own way out of the situation. Hughes decided to tell everybody that he actually did see Jesus, so they would consider him "saved". Hughes is justified in his lie because he found out how the belief in things should be, and he became non-religious. The church and mentors were wrong because they broke the boy's faith, Hughes didn't meet Jesus as they've told him. Unlike the adults who lie, Hughes makes life easier for everyone with his deception because he doesn't upset his aunt and doesn't hurt others. But as a result Hughes loses his faith.

The incident in the second story also made Ozzie loose his faith. He picked a different approach to the situation he was in, Ozzie decided to prove he is not stupid like the Rabbi Binder makes it seem in front of the students. He decided to prove the Rabbi wrong.

Claiming that the Rabbi doesn't know anything about God simply because he didn't get his questions answered. The action of running off to the roof and then, running back and forth on the roof of the synagogue after his confrontation with the Rabbi shows that Ozzie is still a kid and he doesn't know how to behave as an adult. Looking at everything with a childish view Ozzie didn't think of consequences. Though he has his rebellious ways, Ozzie is not a bad kid. As Ozzie succeeded in his task, he realized that his faith won't be the same as before.

These two boys grew up in the religious environment. They were brought up by the standards of their community leader. But even thought, the change in beliefs and opinions brought these boys to the same conclusion. They decided to take a different path which would like them out of the religious non-sense that it teaches. Those without faith can certainly be good person. Not everyone is has it in his/her character to challenge set of views that you grow up with. These boys did and they became non-believers.

Workcited

Hughes, Langston. "Salvation". Essays: Portable Anthology. Ed. Samuel Cohen.

Bedford/St. Martin's Boston 2004

Roth, Philip. "The Conversion of the Jews". The Story and its Writers: An Introduction to

Short Fiction. Ed. Ann Charters 6th ed. Bedford/St. Martin's Boston 2003

"Christianity." Dictionary Reference. Online. 6 November 2005

(http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=christianity)

"Religion." Dictionary Reference. Online. 6 November 2005

(http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=religion%20)

Knyazeva