Not Without Laughter

Not Without Laughter is a coming-of-age novel in which we get to follow along as Sandy transforms from a boy to a young man. Discuss the forces in his life that lead to his transformation.

Hughes explores many kinds of love in the novel—romantic love, the love between parent and child, and other kinds of love. Identify the types of relationships explored in the novel and discuss the impact of these relationships on the lives of the characters.

Discuss the role of music in the novel. What kinds of music appear in the novel, and how does Hughes use music to enhance important literary elements such as theme, character, and setting?