# Nothing but Love explained — Not Without Laughter

> Chapter companion for Not Without Laughter by Langston Hughes.

## What happens

Aunt Hager reflects on the past year, noting the storm that destroyed her porch and the departure of Harriett and Annjee. She shares stories of slavery, the Civil War, and her deep bond with Miss Jeanne, emphasizing a philosophy of love over hate. She comforts Sandy, her remaining companion, with tales of resilience and the necessity of love.

## Themes in this chapter

### Racial Identity and Oppression

Hager recounts her experiences with white folks during slavery and after, advocating for understanding rather than hatred.

### Family and Generational Conflict

Hager laments Harriett's departure and Annjee's wandering, while clinging to Sandy as her remaining family.

### Religion and Morality

Hager's moral teachings center on love as a divine principle, rejecting hatred and ugliness.

### Community and Laughter as Resilience

The porch gatherings with Sister Johnson and Madam de Carter provide a sense of community and shared storytelling.

## Character check-ins

### Aunt Hager Williams

Tells Sandy stories of her past, including her time with Miss Jeanne, and imparts her philosophy of love and forgiveness.

### Sandy

Listens to Aunt Hager's stories on the porch, leaning on her legs or lying on the floor.

### Sister Johnson

Visits occasionally to sit and smoke with Hager and Sandy.

### Madam de Carter

Sometimes joins them on the porch, full of chatter about the lodge and the race.

### Harriett

Mentioned as having left home to stay with the Smothers family in the Bottoms.

### Annjee

Mentioned as having gone off after Jimboy.

### Jimboy

Mentioned as the reason Annjee left home.

### Marster Robert

Featured in Hager's story as Miss Jeanne's husband who died in the war.

## Key lines

> A year ago tonight was de storm what blowed ma porch away!

A year ago tonight, the storm blew my porch away.

_Hager recalls the cyclone that destroyed her porch._

> My baby chile's left home an' gone to stay down yonder in de Bottoms with them triflin' Smothers family

My youngest child has left home to stay with the Smothers family in the Bottoms.

_Hager refers to Harriett's departure._

> An' yo' mammy's done gone a-trapesin' after Jimboy.

And your mother has gone wandering after Jimboy.

_Annjee has left to follow Jimboy._

> I knows, chile! Ever'thing there is but lovin' leaves a rust on yo' soul.

I know, child! Everything except love leaves a rust on your soul.

_Hager's central philosophy that only love preserves the soul._

> There ain't no room in this world fo' nothin' but love, Sandy chile.

There is no room in this world for anything but love, Sandy child.

_Hager's final message to Sandy, emphasizing love as the only path._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/not_without_laughter_se/chapters/xvi-nothing-but-love
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/not_without_laughter_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/not_without_laughter_se/chapters