Student Question
Why does Hughes focus on Westley in "Salvation"?
Quick answer:
Hughes's behavior during the revival contrasts that of a fraud called Westley. When he was younger, Hughes couldn't bring himself to get up and leave the tent even though he knew that Jesus wasn't there. Similarly, when he thinks about his childhood faith, Hughes doesn't remember much besides his feelings of disappointment.
Hughes is trying to give us an honest account of his childhood loss of faith. In order to drive home the point that he genuinely couldn't see the light during the service, he contrasts his behavior with that of the dishonest Westley.
In talking about Westley so much, Hughes is emphasizing the sincerity of his inability to see Jesus. Unlike Hughes, Westley gets up from his seat. But that's not because he's seen the light; it's because he's tired of sitting around and feels kind of left out. Hughes, on the other hand, doesn't get up at all. He steadfastly refuses to move until he's seen Jesus, and as he doesn't see him, he stays put.
What's particularly ironic here is that Hughes, in being honest about his lack of faith, has in a sense proved himself to be a more of a Christian than Westley, who claimed to have seen the light when he hadn't.
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