Not Without Laughter · Chapter
XXVII: Beware of Women explained
Sandy grapples with his feelings for Pansetta Young after his aunt Tempy advises him to stop seeing her.
What happens
Sandy grapples with his feelings for Pansetta Young after his aunt Tempy advises him to stop seeing her. He stops walking her home, and she begins spending time with other boys, including Jimmy Lane. Sandy regrets his decision, resolves to reconcile, and goes to her house, only to find Jimmy there. He makes a weak excuse for his visit and leaves, feeling humiliated and conflicted.
Themes in this chapter
The Search for Identity and Ambition
Sandy navigates conflicting desires for independence, romantic connection, and respectability, questioning his own values and social standing.
Gender Roles and Women's Struggles
Pansetta is judged by Tempy and others based on her mother's work schedule and perceived availability, reflecting double standards about female sexuality.
Family and Generational Conflict
Sandy resents Tempy's advice and rebels against her authority, illustrating tension between youthful desires and older family members' moral guidance.
Characters to notice
- Sandy
Struggles with his feelings for Pansetta and his aunt's advice; decides to reconcile but finds her with Jimmy Lane.
- Pansetta Young
Sandy's former romantic interest; begins seeing other boys after Sandy stops walking her home.
- Jimmy Lane
A bellboy who boasts about his experience with women; is with Pansetta when Sandy visits.
- Tempy
Sandy's aunt who advises him to stop seeing Pansetta; Sandy later resents her interference.
- Mr. Prentiss
Sandy's employer at the gift-card shop; Sandy leaves work abruptly to visit Pansetta.
Key passages
“I wish I had a brother, Sandy thought as he stood there. Maybe I could talk to him about things and I wouldn't have to think so much. It's no fun being the only kid in the family, and your father never home either.”
Sandy feels lonely and wishes for a sibling to confide in, as he lacks a father figure at home.
Highlights Sandy's isolation and longing for familial support.
“To hell with Tempy! She's just an old-fashioned darky Episcopalian, that's what Tempy is! And she wanted me to drop Pansetta because her mother doesn't belong to the Dunbar Whist Club.”
Sandy angrily dismisses Tempy's advice, accusing her of class snobbery.
Reveals Sandy's resentment and his perception of Tempy's social pretensions.
“Pansetta can go! Can't she, man? ... Aw, boy, you're lying, Jimmy Lane returned. Don't try to hand me that kid stuff! You had her for a year, didn't you?”
Jimmy Lane implies that Pansetta is sexually available and pressures Sandy to admit to a physical relationship.
Illustrates peer pressure and the sexual double standard among young men.