Fictional writing is usually done just to entertain readers. Authors create stories with a little bit of point of view, while others introduce more complex plots and storylines which is incredible. When it comes to author James Baldwin’s short story Sonny’s Blues, there is more deep meaning given to the storyline and the characters. Sonny’s Blues probably has been analyzed by professors, students, and by many different people throughout time because the story has many elements. An amazing but simple story about a man and his brother that informs and entertains us about their family, drug addiction, socio economic struggles in the Black community, and the language of Jazz music. Sonny’s Blues is a story about an aspiring musician’s life as it …show more content…
Later, the narrator associates the bad choices Sonny made regarding drugs with jazz, ¨… his music seemed merely to be an excuse for the life he led¨. Though Sonny’s brother does not openly blame Jazz for Sonny’s problems, Sonny is aware of how his brother feels about it; he makes this clear in a letter he sent to his brother from prison, “I don’t want you to think it had anything to do with me being a musician”. Once the narrator takes the time to actually listen to Sonny he gains a better understanding of how Sonny sees jazz music versus how he originally views it. When Sonny’s brother watches him play the piano in the club, he realizes that Jazz music wasn’t Sonny’s downfall; it was his escape from suffering. Sonny’s Blues has been analyzed by many different people in the past because the story is a complex one that touches on many different things. While reading the story readers will notice that the author makes use of the word “fall” in many places in the piece. Baldwin describes literal falls, “she heard Grace fall down¨, and figurative falls, ¨don’t let him fall¨ throughout the piece. There's also a lot of biblical references, the narrator seems …show more content…
Just as hip-hop music gave impoverished youths an outlet in the 1980’s, jazz music did the same for youths in the 1950’s. That is another reason jazz was used in Baldwin’s short story, to creatively show readers what life was like in the Black community during those times. Going all the way back to slavery, Black people were made to live together as family even when they didn’t actually know each other. That mentality has continued on naturally throughout the culture which is why it is not uncommon to hear African-Americans refer to each other as “brother” or “sister”. It is a common struggle and history that bonds people that may never normally socialize with each other. There were two instances in Sonny’s Blues when the narrator mentions Sonny’s relationship to other non-blood relatives. The first time it is with contempt, “he treated these other people as though they were his family and I weren’t”. The people he was referring to were most likely drug addicts and at that point in time Sonny’s brother was not really trying to see what was going on in Sonny’s life. Another time he makes this reference it is when he is watching Sonny perform with his band and he says, “and Sonny was part of the family again”. This time when the narrator sees Sonny as part of a family, he sees it all in a
From the very beginning of the tale, the sorrow is palpable through the unnamed narrator 's discovery of Sonny 's incarceration, and moreover through the atmosphere created by Mr. Baldwin. The most prominent message that can be deciphered and recognized in Sonny 's Blues is that the sadness and sorrow that one experiences in their life can bring about many obstacles but it can be countered and used for something greater by a search for understanding and acceptance. James Baldwin establishes this implication through the use of his characters; the narrator, Sonny, and the singer seen on the street. All these characters experience sorrow and sadness in their
The genre developed from the roots in African musical traditions…Early blues frequently took the form of a loose narrative, often relating the racial discrimination and other challenges experienced by African Americans.” (Wikipedia) Sonny wanted to be a musician, which his brother didn’t approve of because he was worried about him making a living on that profession. The narrator didn’t take Sonny seriously and that annoyed Sonny. He felt that his own brother wasn’t there for him and wanted to dictate his life.
Tristan Iolonardi ENG 102 F2 research paper The Jazz Harmonies of Connection and Disconnection in "Sonny's Blues" by James Baldwin In James Baldwin's "Sonny's Blues" is told from Sonny's brother point of view the "narrator. " This story is about the hardships of black individuals that faced discrimination, unemployment, etc. The story starts of with the two brothers being separated, one living by himself and one stuck in jail.
Throughout the story of “Sonny’s Blues”, James Baldwin develops a theme that can still be related with today. The misunderstanding and lack of knowledge that the narrator experiences, about his brother, is something that many today feel, as their own family members are being prosecuted and they do not comprehend why. Within the story, there are numerous subtle ideas that are used to progress the story and theme along to the ending that is given. James Baldwin advances the theme of his story, that misfortune and anguish can be renovated into a unique art form, using characterizations, settings, and symbolisms. One of the main literary devices that is used to express the theme is characterization.
An example of this is when Baldwin states, “And when light fills the room, the child is filled with darkness. He knows that every time this happens he's moved just a little closer to that darkness outside”(147). Baldwin emphasizes this to portray
James Baldwin’s “Sonny’s Blues” is a short story depicting the relationship of two brothers, Sonny and an unnamed narrator. The story takes place in the project of Harlem, New York in the early 1950s. The narrator is a high school math teacher. His younger brother Sonny is a troubled musician struggling with his addiction to drugs. Before their mother dies, she asks the narrator promise to her he’ll look after his younger brother when she is gone.
That you shouldn’t let your living situations or surroundings determine your outcome. Sonny's Blues shows challenges that troubled the African-American community, and how drugs troubled the young artists and kept them bound like slaves. How those living in Harlem, felt like there was no escape to the poverty that surrounded them. How a young artist was overcoming his demons, with the support of his family and living out his dream. How one has to forgive and not let the past control one’s future, nor let the surroundings of your environment determine where you will go in
James Baldwin's "Sonny's Blues" analyzes a very complex relationship between the narrator and his brother, Sonny. Before directing to the attention of the relationship between these two brothers, we have to first understand the personality of each character. Initially, the narrator has a stable job as a hardworking math teacher and makes an effort to assimilate himself to his surroundings, but has never comprehended his brother, Sonny. Sonny is the complete opposite of the narrator. Sonny separates from his brother to become a Blues musician, though becomes addicted to drugs, such as heroin, in order to control his own feelings.
Sonny is the main character in the story who has been through a lot in life. He wanted to be a jazz musician. After going through all the trouble, Sonny was a great musician and he loved to play music more than anything. He used music to escape from all the bad things around him. Most black people grow up in the slums and it is extremely hard to make it out of there without getting stuck on something bad.
Baldwin uses the plot line to show the effects of how wanting power or control can destroy ones relationship. The narrator in the story reads an article about his brother, Sonny, who has gotten into trouble with drugs. He thinks back to when Sonny and himself were growing up. His mother told him a story about his father and made him promise to never “let [Sonny] fall…no matter how evil you gets with him” (Baldwin 442).
"Sonny's Blues". 28 Feb 2018. swcta.net/moore/files/2012/02/sonnysblues.pdf Flibbert, Joseph. "Sonny's Blues: Overview." Reference Guide to Short Fiction, edited by Noelle Watson, St. James Press, 1994.
Although both characters were different they found an understanding by trying to feel what each other were feeling. Also by coping with their tough childhood and feelings together without directly communicating. Sonny wanted so desperately to please his brother, but couldn’t find a way to avoid Jazz but still get that feeling he craved. Sonny was clearly disappointed and embarrassed by his choice of actions and despite what anyone said, he realized the choice he made was poor and it was time to follow his dream. At the end, the narrator realizes why Sonny turned to drugs in the first place.
“Sonny’s Blues” is not just about Sonny's decisions and struggles but also about how they affect the narrator. This story is as much about family and brotherhood and the relationship between these two men as it is about the character of
Sonny’s Blues by James Baldwin was a short story about the struggles of living in a tough, rundown neighborhood and looking to drugs as a way out. Baldwin’s intent on writing this piece focuses on pain and suffering. The author stresses that not everybody is born in the best circumstances. Sonny was one of those people who grew up in a rickety town where people often did not make it out successful.
As Donald C. Murray has said in his article, “James Baldwin’s ‘Sonny’s Blues’: Complicated and Simple”, “Images of light and darkness are used by Baldwin… ( Murray 354)”. Also, Baldwin is able to tell a story that can make the reader visualize what is happening to this character Sonny, even though it is being narrated through the eyes and perspective of his older brother. He portrays the older brother as someone who can understand and recognizes the internal struggles of Sonny and be compassionate about them, even though the elder brother does not agree with all the life choices his brother has