# A Shelf of Books explained — Not Without Laughter > Chapter companion for Not Without Laughter by Langston Hughes. ## What happens Sandy, now living with Tempy, is quarantined with mumps and begins reading from Tempy's book collection, including works by Du Bois and Washington. He gets a job at Mr. Prentiss's shop, where his reading expands under the guidance of Mr. Prentiss's daughter. Sandy excels in school, winning second prize in an essay contest, and develops a crush on classmate Pansetta Young. He also faces peer pressure from Buster to visit Cudge Windsor's pool hall. ## Themes in this chapter ### The Search for Identity and Ambition Sandy's exploration of books, his exposure to Du Bois vs. Washington, and his academic success reflect his burgeoning intellectual and personal identity. ### Racial Identity and Oppression Tempy's critique of Washington and praise for Du Bois, along with Sandy's reading about racial wrongs in The Crisis, underscore themes of racial pride and struggle. ### Family and Generational Conflict Sandy's internal conflict between Aunt Hager's admiration for Washington and Tempy's disdain illustrates generational differences in racial philosophy. ## Character check-ins ### Sandy Sandy recovers from mumps, begins reading widely, wins an essay prize, and starts a job at Mr. Prentiss's shop. He also develops a crush on Pansetta Young and is tempted by Buster to go to the pool hall. ### Tempy Tempy provides Sandy with books, encourages his education, and buys him a long-trouser suit when he enters high school. She disapproves of Booker T. Washington and admires Du Bois. ### Buster Buster teases Sandy about his studiousness and a girl, and invites him to Cudge Windsor's pool hall to play billiards. ### Pansetta Young Pansetta is Sandy's classmate and newfound friend, described as a baby-doll kind of girl. Sandy gives her his bronze medal and exchanges gifts with her. ### Jimboy Sandy remembers Jimboy, who has left Stanton, as he reflects on his old neighborhood. ### Harriett Sandy recalls that Harriett has gone away from Stanton and is rumored to be on stage in Kansas City. ## Key lines > Tempy subscribed to Harper’s Magazine , too, because Mrs. Barr-Grant had taken it. And in her sewing-room closet there was also a pile of The Crisis , the thin Negro monthly that she had been taking from the beginning of its publication. Tempy subscribed to Harper's Magazine following Mrs. Barr-Grant's example, and she also kept a collection of The Crisis, a monthly Negro publication she had subscribed to since its inception. _Highlights Tempy's intellectual and racial consciousness._ > Du Bois wants our rights. He wants us to be real men and women. He believes in social equality. But Washington⁠—huh! Tempy asserts that Du Bois advocates for full rights and social equality for African Americans, in contrast to Washington, whom she dismisses. _Illustrates the ideological divide between Du Bois and Washington._ > Little apron-string boy! Buster teases Sandy for being overly obedient to his aunt. _Shows peer pressure and Sandy's struggle between responsibility and social life._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/not_without_laughter_se/chapters/xxiv-a-shelf-of-books - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/not_without_laughter_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/not_without_laughter_se/chapters