76 pages 2 hours read

Langston Hughes

Not Without Laughter

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1930

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics.

Chapters 5-11

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 5 Summary: “Guitar”

Everyone in the neighborhood knows that Jimboy is home on Saturday because they can hear him singing the blues and playing his guitar. Hager, who only wants to hear hymns, tells him to put the guitar away. Now it is Monday night, and Jimboy is playing blues on the guitar, with Harriet stepping in to sing with him and dance from time to time. Jimboy tells Harriet she is as good as Ada Walker (a famous vaudeville performer). Hager tells them to stop, but they ignore her.

Their neighbor Mr. Johnson says the singing and dancing remind him of plantation days, but Hager tells him that the singing and dancing are of the devil. Harriet and Jimboy have no business singing and dancing in front of Sandy and Willie Mae. The children like what they see, however. Harriet sings “Easy Rider,” and a recent breakup and the sound of Jimboy’s guitar add a touch of authentic pain and longing to the song.

Annjee returns home and proudly tells Jimboy she has a piece of ham for him. Although he tells her he will come in to eat it soon, he stays out and continues playing and singing with Harriet.

Related Titles

By Langston Hughes

Study Guide

logo

Children’s Rhymes

Langston Hughes

Children’s Rhymes

Langston Hughes

Study Guide

logo

Cora Unashamed

Langston Hughes

Cora Unashamed

Langston Hughes

Study Guide

logo

I look at the world

Langston Hughes

I look at the world

Langston Hughes

Study Guide

logo

Let America Be America Again

Langston Hughes

Let America Be America Again

Langston Hughes

Study Guide

logo

Me and the Mule

Langston Hughes

Me and the Mule

Langston Hughes

Plot Summary

logo

Mule Bone: A Comedy of Negro Life

Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston

Mule Bone: A Comedy of Negro Life

Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston

Study Guide

logo

Slave on the Block

Langston Hughes

Slave on the Block

Langston Hughes

Plot Summary

logo

The Big Sea

Langston Hughes

The Big Sea

Langston Hughes

Study Guide

logo

Theme for English B

Langston Hughes

Theme for English B

Langston Hughes

Study Guide

logo

The Negro Speaks of Rivers

Langston Hughes

The Negro Speaks of Rivers

Langston Hughes

Study Guide

logo

The Ways of White Folks

Langston Hughes

The Ways of White Folks

Langston Hughes

Study Guide

logo

The Weary Blues

Langston Hughes

The Weary Blues

Langston Hughes