# Carnival explained — Not Without Laughter

> Chapter companion for Not Without Laughter by Langston Hughes.

## What happens

In Stanton, a revival and a carnival run simultaneously, dividing the community along generational and moral lines. Aunt Hager, Annjee, and Sandy attend the revival, while Jimboy, Harriett, and Maudel go to the carnival. After Sandy injures his foot on a rusty nail, Jimboy takes him to the carnival, where they watch a minstrel show. Later, as Sandy's foot worsens, Harriett stays home with him but secretly packs her belongings and leaves with the carnival, bidding Sandy a quiet farewell.

## Themes in this chapter

### Family and Generational Conflict

The revival versus carnival divide splits Aunt Hager's household, with older generations favoring religion and younger ones seeking worldly pleasures, leading to daily quarrels and Harriett's eventual departure.

### Music and Cultural Expression

The carnival's minstrel show features ragtime, blues, and banjo music, highlighting African American musical traditions as both a source of joy and a target of white laughter.

### Poverty and Survival

Sandy's injury is treated with home remedies like bacon rind, and the family's economic constraints are evident in their reliance on ironing and delivery work.

## Character check-ins

### Sandy

Accidentally steps on a rusty nail, is taken to the carnival by Jimboy, and later witnesses Harriett's departure.

### Aunt Hager Williams

Attends the revival nightly, quarrels with Jimboy, and tends to Sandy's injury with a bacon rind remedy.

### Jimboy

Takes Sandy to the carnival, enjoys the minstrel show, and later fails to return home after delivering clothes.

### Harriett

Stays home with Sandy, packs her belongings, and leaves with the carnival, kissing Sandy goodbye.

### Annjee

Attends the revival with Aunt Hager and is less affectionate with Jimboy since their return from the country.

### Buster

Plays with Sandy in the backyard before Sandy's injury.

## Key lines

> Between the tent of Christ and the tents of sin there stretched scarcely a half-mile.

The revival tent and the carnival tents were located very close to each other.

_Highlights the physical and symbolic proximity of religious and secular attractions._

> An' Ah can't be satisfied, 'Cause all Ah love has Done laid down an' died.

I cannot find contentment because everyone I loved has passed away.

_Lyrics from a blues song that Sandy finds deeply sad, contrasting with the laughter of the white audience._

> Honey, you won't tell on me, will you?

Please promise not to reveal my secret.

_Harriett asks Sandy to keep her departure a secret, showing their close bond._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/not_without_laughter_se/chapters/ix-carnival
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/not_without_laughter_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/not_without_laughter_se/chapters