# Dance explained — Not Without Laughter

> Chapter companion for Not Without Laughter by Langston Hughes.

## What happens

While Annjee and Jimboy are away visiting Cousin Jessie, Aunt Hager is left to care for Sandy and Harriett. After a tense evening where Harriett is forbidden to go out due to a previous transgression, Aunt Hager is called away to help a sick neighbor. Seizing the opportunity, Harriett and her boyfriend Mingo take Sandy to a dance at Chaver's Hall, where Benbow's Band plays blues and jazz. The chapter vividly describes the music and dancing, and ends with Harriett waking a sleeping Sandy in the early morning to leave.

## Themes in this chapter

### Music and Cultural Expression

The dance hall scene centers on Benbow's Band playing blues and jazz, highlighting music as a powerful form of emotional release and community bonding.

### Family and Generational Conflict

Aunt Hager's strict discipline clashes with Harriett's desire for freedom, leading to Harriett's secret rebellion by attending the dance.

## Character check-ins

### Aunt Hager Williams

Forbids Harriett from leaving the house after dark as punishment, then leaves to help Sister Lane who is hemorrhaging.

### Harriett

Defies her mother's punishment by sneaking out to the dance with Mingo, taking Sandy along.

### Sandy

Eagerly accompanies Harriett and Mingo to the dance, falls asleep in the balcony, and is woken at four in the morning.

### Mingo

Harriett's boyfriend who insists on going to the dance and reluctantly agrees to bring Sandy.

### Jimmy Lane

Comes to the door to fetch Aunt Hager because his mother is gravely ill.

### Benbow

Leader of Benbow's Band, plays blues and sings at the dance.

## Key lines

> ‘Spare de rod an’ spoil de chile,’ that’s what de Bible say, an’ Lawd knows you sho is spoiled!

Aunt Hager quotes the Bible to justify her strict punishment of Harriett, saying that failing to discipline a child will ruin them.

_Reflects Aunt Hager's reliance on religious morality to enforce obedience._

> When de blues is got you, Ain’t no use to run away.

The blues are inescapable once they take hold of you.

_Lyrics from Benbow's song capture the pervasive, sorrowful mood of the blues._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/not_without_laughter_se/chapters/viii-dance
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/not_without_laughter_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/not_without_laughter_se/chapters