Not Without Laughter

Not Without Laughter is the debut novel by Langston Hughes published in 1930.

Not Without Laughter
Not Without Laughter cover
AuthorLangston Hughes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
GenreNovel
Published1930 (Random House)
Media typePrint (Hardback & Paperback)
Pages324
ISBN0-394-43873-6 (hardback edition)
OCLC461935
813.52
LC ClassPS3515.U274

Plot introduction

Not Without Laughter portrays African-American life in Kansas in the 1910s, focusing on the effects of class and religion on the community.[1] The main storyline focuses on Sandy's "awakening to the sad and the beautiful realities of black life in a small Kansas town." The major intent of the novel is to portray Sandy's life as he tries to be the best he can be, aspiring to folks such as W. E. B. Du Bois and Booker T. Washington.

Characters
  • Sandy Rogers – the protagonist
  • Jimboy – Sandy's father, generally portrayed as irresponsible
  • Annjelica Williams – Sandy's mother
  • Aunt Hager Williams – Annjee's mother and Sandy's grandmother, a conservative Baptist
  • Tempy Siles/Williams – Annjee's rich sister
  • Mr. Siles – a rich man who marries Tempy
  • Harriett Williams – sister of Annjee; blues singer
  • Maudel – Hotel owner that Harriet wants to work for
  • Willie-Mae – friend of Sandy

Background

Hughes said that Not Without Laughter is semi-autobiographical, and that a good portion of the characters and setting included in the novel are based on his memories of growing up in Lawrence, Kansas: "I wanted to write about a typical Negro family in the Middle West, about people like those I had known in Kansas. But mine was not a typical Negro family."

References
  1. "Overview: Not without Laughter." Literature and Its Times: Profiles of 300 Notable Literary Works and the Historical Events that Influenced Them. Joyce Moss and George Wilson. Vol. 3: Growth of Empires to the Great Depression (1890-1930s). Detroit: Gale, 1997. Literature Resource Center. Web


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