Not Without Laughter Analysis

Growing up can be a difficult process, especially when you consistently have no one to guide you. Sandy, the central character of Not Without Laughter by Langston Hughes has this problem. While he does have people to guide him, much of what they say is difficult for him to discern, often because what they say conflicts what the others say. This makes it difficult for him to know what to do in some situations, or what is right or wrong. In Sandy’s “community” he learns from several family members: Aunt Hager, who represents “a knowledge of the past”, Annjee, who represents “an aesthetic for the present”, and Tempy who represents “a vision for the future”. Aunt Hager, who represents “a knowledge of the past”, teaches Sandy about the origins

De words don’t make no difference if de love’s there”(Hughes 126).
Aunt Hager’s “knowledge of the past” comes from first-hand experience and hardship that she has endured. She knows that it is wrong to be angry, even though she has been treated poorly during slavery. She passes this wisdom down to Sandy, and she encourages him to continue his education, and to pursue his dreams. From her, he learns to forgive the bad actions of others and look past them. Arguably she is a the of the few, if not the only, “good” influence on Sandy up until her

I got to!” Annjee stood with her coat and hat still on, holding the sticky letter. ‘I’m going where my heart is, ma! . . . Oh, not today.’ She put her arms around her mother’s neck. ‘I don’t mean today mama, nor next week. I got to save some money first. I only got a little now. But I mean I’m going to him as soon’s as I can. I can’t help it, ma---I love him”!(Hughes 120)
Annjee, while she does at least teach Sandy to stay faithful to the one he loves, she at the same time teaches him to abandon family and focus on the present to this. And she herself does this without giving it much of a second thought to the repercussions that it may have in the future on Sandy growing up without his