Harriett

Sandy

Harriett is Sandy's aunt, a rebellious and free-spirited woman who both challenges and inspires him.

Annjee

Annjee and Harriett are sisters, often clashing due to Harriett's wild behavior and Annjee's conventional values.

Aunt Hager Williams

Aunt Hager worries about Harriett's rebellious path, but loves her unconditionally as her youngest daughter.

Ma Bailey

Harriett and Ma Bailey share a generational bond, with Ma Bailey often trying to guide Harriett toward stability.

Aunt Hager Williams

Aunt Hager worries about Harriett's rebellious path, but loves her unconditionally as her youngest daughter.

Ma Bailey

Harriett and Ma Bailey share a generational bond, with Ma Bailey often trying to guide Harriett toward stability.

Sandy

Harriett is Sandy's aunt, a rebellious and free-spirited woman who both challenges and inspires him.

Annjee

Annjee and Harriett are sisters, often clashing due to Harriett's wild behavior and Annjee's conventional values.

Sandy

Harriett is Sandy's aunt, a rebellious and free-spirited woman who both challenges and inspires him.

Annjee

Annjee and Harriett are sisters, often clashing due to Harriett's wild behavior and Annjee's conventional values.

Aunt Hager Williams

Aunt Hager worries about Harriett's rebellious path, but loves her unconditionally as her youngest daughter.

Ma Bailey

Harriett and Ma Bailey share a generational bond, with Ma Bailey often trying to guide Harriett toward stability.

Storm

Harriett is mentioned as working in the country; Aunt Hager prays she has not been harmed by the storm.

Conversation

Harriett is mentioned as working at the country club and considering leaving school.

Jimboy's Letter

Mentioned as wild and talented, taught to buck-dance by Jimboy, and a source of worry for Aunt Hager.

Thursday Afternoon

Returns home from the country club; defies her mother's authority and leaves for a barbecue at Willow Grove.

Guitar

Sings and dances with Jimboy, showing her strong voice and racial sense of rhythm, and teases Annjee about sitting on Jimboy's lap.

VII: White Folks

Sits on the porch edge, recounts humiliations at school, the movie theater, and her job with Mrs. Baker, and expresses fierce hatred of white folks, rejecting her mother's call to church.

Dance

Defies her mother's punishment by sneaking out to the dance with Mingo, taking Sandy along.

Carnival

Stays home with Sandy, packs her belongings, and leaves with the carnival, kissing Sandy goodbye.

XII: Hard Winter

Sends a letter from Memphis, stranded and broke after the carnival show moved on.

XIII: Christmas

Harriett is mentioned as being away; the family sends her money out of concern for her well-being.

Return

Returns from Memphis after quitting the minstrel show; appears thinner with bobbed hair and rouge; chooses to live at Maudel's, causing family tension.

Nothing but Love

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

Barbershop

Mentioned as working as a chambermaid; subject of gossip in the barbershop.

XIX: Ten Dollars and Costs

Arrested for streetwalking along with Maudel Smothers, causing great distress to her mother, Aunt Hager.

Note to Harriett

Living in the Bottoms; Sandy delivers a message to her about Aunt Hager's illness.

Beyond the Jordan

Weeps at the funeral; receives Hager's gold watch; leaves alone into the rain.

Tempy's House

Harriett is Tempy's sister, living in the Bottoms. Tempy never mentions her and is deeply ashamed of her, viewing her as a 'hidden cancer.' Harriett's wild lifestyle contrasts sharply with Tempy's respectability.

A Shelf of Books

Sandy recalls that Harriett has gone away from Stanton and is rumored to be on stage in Kansas City.

Elevator

Sandy compares himself to her, wanting to avoid being a servant to white people forever.

Princess of the Blues

Performs as 'The Princess of the Blues' at the Monogram Theatre, reunites with Sandy and Annjee, and insists Sandy stay in school, offering financial help.