# How does Not Without Laughter develop the theme of Religion and Morality?

> Not Without Laughter by Langston Hughes

## Answer

Not Without Laughter by Langston Hughes develops Religion and Morality across the chapters the companion marks for this theme.

Aunt Hager's devout Christianity contrasts with Harriett's rejection of the church as hypocritical and restrictive, illustrating the role of religion as both a source of strength and a point of contention within the Black community.

Hager's Christian faith is central to her disapproval of Harriett's behavior; Harriett rejects the church as oppressive and associates it with stifling respectability.

A central debate unfolds between Hager's Christian call to pray for enemies and the younger generation's rejection of church as hypocritical or irrelevant, with Jimboy and Harriett critiquing Black over-reliance on religion.

The chapter centers on a moral lesson about honesty and the misuse of Sunday School money, with Aunt Hager and Jimboy enforcing religious and ethical standards.

## Evidence

- [iv-thursday-afternoon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/not_without_laughter_se/chapters/iv-thursday-afternoon.md): Hager's Christian faith is central to her disapproval of Harriett's behavior; Harriett rejects the church as oppressive and associates it with stifling respectability.
- [vii-white-folks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/not_without_laughter_se/chapters/vii-white-folks.md): A central debate unfolds between Hager's Christian call to pray for enemies and the younger generation's rejection of church as hypocritical or irrelevant, with Jimboy and Harriett critiquing Black over-reliance on religion.
- [x-punishment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/not_without_laughter_se/chapters/x-punishment.md): The chapter centers on a moral lesson about honesty and the misuse of Sunday School money, with Aunt Hager and Jimboy enforcing religious and ethical standards.
- [xvi-nothing-but-love](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/not_without_laughter_se/chapters/xvi-nothing-but-love.md): Hager's moral teachings center on love as a divine principle, rejecting hatred and ugliness.

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