Eternal Problems of Humanity

wants to disappoint those who believe in them and make promises never to lie again.The text discusses the impact of certain behavior on children, causing them to distance themselves from their families and avoid interaction with them. The author acknowledges that the protagonist may have indeed found true salvation, despite not experiencing the presence of the Holy Spirit as believed by his uncle and aunt. This realization leads to disappointment for the child, as he feels different from others who can see Jesus. Consequently, children often become unsociable. However, it is noted that the child's sincerity in crying represents a positive moment, as he recognizes the lie within the church unlike his relatives, who fail to understand their own selfishness and lack of respect towards the child. This inability to comprehend their own actions prevents the child from attaining the emotional salvation they speak of. The text then compares this situation to "American history," emphasizing that although there may be different scenarios and characters, the underlying issue and goal remain the same as depicted in Langston Hughes' "Salvation." The famous writer Oscar Wilde once stated that parents are often the most selfish individuals, a sentiment echoed in the example of Skinny Bones, a schoolgirl who isolates herself due to being ridiculed for her unusual appearance, thereby lacking friends and social interaction during school hours.There is a person who appears later, and it is important to note that her parents are not interested in her life. They only discuss their own plans for the future or reminisce about the past. The girl feels alone and her mother only focuses on morality, not her daughter's feelings. The

conflict in the novel intensifies when the president is killed, and the girl cannot understand how this situation affects those around her (Cofer). The teacher is the first person to attack the children. Teachers should teach patriotism, but the students seem unaffected by the murder, angering the teacher. Similarly, when the girl returns home, her mother blames her for planning to visit a friend instead of mourning with the family. After an unsuccessful walk, the girl cries in despair because she doesn't know how to feel in this situation. Hughes and Cofer leave the ending of their stories open for each individual to solve these problems on their own.Despite their differing perspectives, both authors emphasize the importance for parents to remember that their excessive selfishness results in their children suffering.