Jimboy

Sandy

Jimboy is Sandy's father, an itinerant musician whose absence creates longing but also admiration in Sandy.

Annjee

Annjee and Jimboy are married, but their relationship is strained by Jimboy's wandering lifestyle and Annjee's resentment.

Ma Bailey

Jimboy is Ma Bailey's grandson-in-law, and she views him with a mix of affection and concern for his instability.

Aunt Hager Williams

Aunt Hager is fond of Jimboy as her son-in-law, but worries about his influence on her daughter Annjee.

Annjee

Annjee and Jimboy are married, but their relationship is strained by Jimboy's wandering lifestyle and Annjee's resentment.

Sandy

Jimboy is Sandy's father, an itinerant musician whose absence creates longing but also admiration in Sandy.

Aunt Hager Williams

Aunt Hager is fond of Jimboy as her son-in-law, but worries about his influence on her daughter Annjee.

Ma Bailey

Jimboy is Ma Bailey's grandson-in-law, and she views him with a mix of affection and concern for his instability.

Ma Bailey

Jimboy is Ma Bailey's grandson-in-law, and she views him with a mix of affection and concern for his instability.

Annjee

Annjee and Jimboy are married, but their relationship is strained by Jimboy's wandering lifestyle and Annjee's resentment.

Sandy

Jimboy is Sandy's father, an itinerant musician whose absence creates longing but also admiration in Sandy.

Aunt Hager Williams

Aunt Hager is fond of Jimboy as her son-in-law, but worries about his influence on her daughter Annjee.

Storm

Jimboy is mentioned as absent and unaccounted for; Annjee prays for his safety during the cyclone.

Conversation

Jimboy's letter arrives from Kansas City, prompting discussion about his character.

Jimboy's Letter

Writes to Annjee from Kansas City, saying he strained his back and will return home.

Guitar

Returns to Stanton and plays guitar, singing blues and popular songs with Harriett, ignoring Annjee's attempts to get his attention.

Work

Jimboy takes Sandy fishing after being laid off from his bricklaying job because white workers refused to work with a Black man. He offers Sandy lighthearted advice about handling women.

VII: White Folks

Lounges at Hager's feet, teases about church and color, and defends the right to enjoy Sundays; he returns after walking Annjee to the corner and encourages Sister Johnson's story.

Carnival

Takes Sandy to the carnival, enjoys the minstrel show, and later fails to return home after delivering clothes.

X: Punishment

Sandy's father, who delivers a grave and impactful lecture on honesty and integrity after Sandy's lie.

XI: School

Returns briefly, teaches Sandy guitar and boxing, but leaves again; gives Sandy money for school books.

XII: Hard Winter

Absent; no word from him, causing Annjee worry.

One by One

Sends a letter from Detroit saying he has a job and is doing well, prompting Annjee to join him.

Nothing but Love

Mentioned as the reason Annjee left home.

Children's Day

Jimboy is mentioned in Annjee's letter as having broken his guitar on a streetcar and changing jobs frequently. Sandy is sorry about the guitar.

A Shelf of Books

Sandy remembers Jimboy, who has left Stanton, as he reflects on his old neighborhood.

XXVI: The Doors of Life

Jimboy enlisted and was sent to France; only one letter has come from him. Sandy reflects on his father's carefree nature and early marriage.

Chicago

Mentioned as Sandy's father, serving in France during the war; Annjee has not heard from him in seven months.

Elevator

Absent, fighting in World War I; his lack of letters causes Annjee distress and serves as a cautionary example for Sandy.

Princess of the Blues

Mentioned as absent and possibly enlisted in the war; Annjee cries remembering him during Harriett's song.