# Aunt Hager Williams — Not Without Laughter character guide > Aunt Hager Williams in Not Without Laughter by Langston Hughes. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Aunt Hager, Hager, ole Hager, Hager Williams **First appearance:** 0000-i-storm ## Snapshot Sandy's grandmother, who boils other people's laundry by day and prays her grandson will grow up to be a great man. ## Who they are Hager rules her kitchen with Scripture and a round washing stick, scolding Harriett for dancing and hotels while defending Annjee's hard-won respectability. She keeps the stove blazing on Saturday nights so Sandy comes home warm, and she measures her daughters against each other without meaning to wound. Her faith and fatigue anchor the family, and her hopes for Sandy give the novel its central question of what greatness might mean for a Black boy in Kansas. ## Relationships ### [Sandy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/not_without_laughter_se/characters/sandy) _family_ Aunt Hager is Sandy's grandmother and primary caregiver, providing him with moral and spiritual guidance. ### [Ma Bailey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/not_without_laughter_se/characters/ma_bailey) _family_ Aunt Hager and Ma Bailey are mother and daughter, sharing a close bond rooted in faith and family tradition. ### [Annjee](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/not_without_laughter_se/characters/annjee) _family_ Annjee is Aunt Hager's daughter, and their relationship is marked by tension over Annjee's choices and Hager's expectations. ### [Harriett](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/not_without_laughter_se/characters/harriett) _family_ Aunt Hager worries about Harriett's rebellious path, but loves her unconditionally as her youngest daughter. ### [Moses Jenkins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/not_without_laughter_se/characters/moses_jenkins) _family_ Aunt Hager and Moses Jenkins are married, sharing a long partnership built on mutual respect and hard work. ### [Jimboy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/not_without_laughter_se/characters/jimboy) _family_ Aunt Hager is fond of Jimboy as her son-in-law, but worries about his influence on her daughter Annjee. ### [Sandy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/not_without_laughter_se/characters/sandy) _family_ Aunt Hager is Sandy's grandmother and primary caregiver, providing him with moral and spiritual guidance. ### [Harriett](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/not_without_laughter_se/characters/harriett) _family_ Aunt Hager worries about Harriett's rebellious path, but loves her unconditionally as her youngest daughter. ### [Ma Bailey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/not_without_laughter_se/characters/ma_bailey) _family_ Aunt Hager and Ma Bailey are mother and daughter, sharing a close bond rooted in faith and family tradition. ### [Sandy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/not_without_laughter_se/characters/sandy) _family_ Aunt Hager is Sandy's grandmother and primary caregiver, providing him with moral and spiritual guidance. ### [Annjee](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/not_without_laughter_se/characters/annjee) _family_ Annjee is Aunt Hager's daughter, and their relationship is marked by tension over Annjee's choices and Hager's expectations. ### [Jimboy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/not_without_laughter_se/characters/jimboy) _family_ Aunt Hager is fond of Jimboy as her son-in-law, but worries about his influence on her daughter Annjee. ## In the story ### [Storm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/not_without_laughter_se/chapters/i-storm) Aunt Hager senses the storm coming, prays for her children, and later helps comfort Mrs. Gavitt's niece after the cyclone. ### [Conversation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/not_without_laughter_se/chapters/ii-conversation) Aunt Hager prepares breakfast, receives the letter, and converses with Sister Whiteside about family and community. ### [Jimboy's Letter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/not_without_laughter_se/chapters/iii-jimboy-s-letter) Criticizes Jimboy's return, calling him a loafer, and scolds Annjee for staying up late. ### [Thursday Afternoon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/not_without_laughter_se/chapters/iv-thursday-afternoon) Rises at sunrise to do washing; argues with Harriett about her conduct and tries to prevent her from going out. ### [Guitar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/not_without_laughter_se/chapters/v-guitar) Listens to the music and requests Christian hymns, eventually goes to bed after the singing ends. ### [Work](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/not_without_laughter_se/chapters/vi-work) Aunt Hager is doing laundry under the apple tree and scolds Jimboy for not working, but he and Sandy ignore her and go fishing. ### [VII: White Folks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/not_without_laughter_se/chapters/vii-white-folks) Sits on the porch in the evening, argues gently with Jimboy about Sunday church, and counsels Harriett to pray for white folks rather than hate them, drawing on her own experience in slavery. ### [Dance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/not_without_laughter_se/chapters/viii-dance) Forbids Harriett from leaving the house after dark as punishment, then leaves to help Sister Lane who is hemorrhaging. ### [Carnival](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/not_without_laughter_se/chapters/ix-carnival) Attends the revival nightly, quarrels with Jimboy, and tends to Sandy's injury with a bacon rind remedy. ### [X: Punishment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/not_without_laughter_se/chapters/x-punishment) Sandy's strict and religious grandmother who threatens to whip him for lying and misusing his Sunday School nickel. ### [XI: School](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/not_without_laughter_se/chapters/xi-school) Continues her laundry work, scolds Jimboy for leaving, and expresses frustration over the cost of school books. ### [XII: Hard Winter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/not_without_laughter_se/chapters/xii-hard-winter) Takes in extra washing to support the family, cares for Annjee, and scolds Sandy. ### [XIII: Christmas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/not_without_laughter_se/chapters/xiii-christmas) Aunt Hager manages the household finances, visits Brother Logan to borrow money, and tries to maintain Christmas traditions despite limited resources. ### [Return](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/not_without_laughter_se/chapters/xiv-return) Continues washing and ironing despite her age; warmly welcomes Harriett home but is hurt by her decision to stay elsewhere. ### [One by One](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/not_without_laughter_se/chapters/xv-one-by-one) Expresses sorrow as Annjee leaves, saying 'One by one they leaves you,' and vows to raise Sandy right. ### [Nothing but Love](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/not_without_laughter_se/chapters/xvi-nothing-but-love) Tells Sandy stories of her past, including her time with Miss Jeanne, and imparts her philosophy of love and forgiveness. ### [Children's Day](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/not_without_laughter_se/chapters/xviii-children-s-day) Aunt Hager praises Sandy's industriousness, insists on cleanliness before the park trip, forgives the park owners, and comforts the children with watermelon. She also receives Annjee's letter read aloud. ### [XIX: Ten Dollars and Costs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/not_without_laughter_se/chapters/xix-ten-dollars-and-costs) Expresses disapproval of Sandy's hotel job, but reluctantly agrees. Later, she is devastated upon reading about Harriett's arrest and prays for her daughter. ### [Note to Harriett](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/not_without_laughter_se/chapters/xxi-note-to-harriett) Falls gravely ill; is attended by the doctor, lodge members, and family. ### [Beyond the Jordan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/not_without_laughter_se/chapters/xxii-beyond-the-jordan) Dies peacefully after a brief illness; her funeral is a major community event. ### [Tempy's House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/not_without_laughter_se/chapters/xxiii-tempy-s-house) Aunt Hager is deceased, but her memory haunts Tempy, who is ashamed of her mother's apron-wearing and humble ways. Tempy recalls how Hager was barred from entering the hospital through the front door, and she wishes Hager had dressed more respectably. ### [Elevator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/not_without_laughter_se/chapters/xxix-elevator) Remembered by Sandy for her dreams of his greatness, contrasting with Annjee's lack of ambition for him. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/not_without_laughter_se/characters/aunt_hager_williams - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/not_without_laughter_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/not_without_laughter_se/characters