Chapter summaries How Y'all Doing? Leslie Jordan

Chapter 7: Hymn Singing – Summary and Analysis

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

Leslie Jordan describes his deep family tradition of hymn singing, often accompanied by his father and uncle playing instruments. His father’s humor, including Dumb Dora jokes and a dark joke at his own funeral, shaped Leslie’s outlook. His grandfather H.H. Griffin’s eccentric behavior (pulling imaginary strings) provided comic relief. Leslie left the church at 17 because he could not reconcile his homosexuality with church teachings, and hymn singing largely stopped. Decades later, during the pandemic, he began singing hymns on Instagram, which was warmly received. This led to planning a gospel album, culminating in a duet with Dolly Parton on “Where the Soul of Man Never Dies.” The chapter reflects on how hymns remain central to his identity despite his changed relationship with organized religion.

Key Events

  • The Jordan family sings hymns at every occasion – births, marriages, deaths, and daily chores – with instruments like guitar and baritone ukulele.
  • Leslie’s father, Allen, and uncle Mack Junior entertain with silly ditties and Dumb Dora jokes, including a dark joke at Allen’s own funeral that makes the family laugh instead of cry.
  • Leslie’s grandfather H.H. Griffin spends his final years pulling imaginary strings from the ceiling; his wife Mary Lucille cuts them with scissors, muttering about his craziness.
  • At 17, Leslie walks away from the church because he cannot reconcile his homosexuality with religious teachings.
  • In college, a drunken night with other gay men leads to a balcony hymn‑singing session that turns from joy to tears.
  • Years later, Leslie and friend Mike Lotus conceive a musical called Church! (A Spirited Revival) about a closeted gay preacher, but the project is set aside when the music overshadows the book.
  • During the COVID‑19 pandemic, Leslie and Travis Howard record hymns for Instagram, receiving thousands of grateful comments from people missing church.
  • The positive response inspires a gospel album; Leslie’s wish list for duet partners tops out with Dolly Parton.
  • Through Dolly’s creative director Steve Summers, Leslie meets Dolly in a Nashville studio and records “Where the Soul of Man Never Dies” with her.

Character Development

Leslie Jordan emerges as a figure who holds onto family tradition while forging his own path. His early love of hymn singing and church is genuine, yet his sexuality forces him to leave the institution. The chapter shows him re‑embracing hymns on his own terms, first through a drunken reunion with other gay men, then through a pandemic‑era digital project that becomes a source of comfort for others. Meeting Dolly Parton crystallizes his aspiration to live graciously and without regret, asking “What would Dolly do?” The memory of his father and grandfather, both storytellers, reinforces the notion that humor and music are his true inheritance.

Themes, Symbols, and Motifs

  • Hymn singing as family legacy – The chapter opens with hymns threaded through every activity and milestone, symbolizing continuity and identity.
  • Humor as a shield against grief – The funeral limo joke and Dumb Dora anecdotes show how the family uses laughter to manage pain.
  • The tension between faith and sexuality – Leslie’s departure at 17 and the balcony scene with other gay men illustrate the cost of doctrinal exclusion.
  • Reclamation through art – The musical, Instagram hymns, and gospel album represent a creative return to sacred music outside the church walls.
  • Dolly Parton as a moral compass – Dolly embodies authenticity, kindness, and talent, providing Leslie with a model for a life above reproach.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is a hinge in the memoir, connecting Leslie’s Southern roots to his adult identity as a gay man and a public figure. The hymn‑singing tradition grounds his voice and values, while his conflict with the church explains a formative loss. The pandemic‑era Instagram success and the Dolly Parton collaboration show how he transformed that loss into a source of connection and joy. The chapter also reinforces the book’s central message: that family, humor, and faith (broadly defined) can survive institutional rejection and personal change.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Leslie leave the church at seventeen?
He cannot reconcile his homosexuality with the religious teachings he grew up with. Although he found comfort in the church as a child, the conflict between his innate sexuality and the church’s position forces him to walk away, and the hymn singing that defined his family life largely stops.

2. How do hymns help Leslie connect with others during the pandemic?
During the COVID‑19 lockdown, Leslie and Travis Howard begin posting hymn recordings on Instagram. The songs resonate with people who cannot attend church, drawing comments from atheists, grieving relatives, and anyone seeking solace. This positive feedback leads to the creation of a full gospel album.

3. What role does Dolly Parton play in Leslie’s journey in this chapter?
Dolly Parton represents a personal and professional ideal. Leslie has admired her since seeing her perform “Jolene” at a Pigeon Forge high school auditorium. Meeting her and recording a duet fulfills a thirty‑six‑year fantasy. Dolly’s genuine, gracious nature inspires Leslie to live a life where no one can say a bad word about him, asking himself “What would Dolly do?”

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