Sonnys Blues Essay - 989 Words

In James Baldwins, Sonnys Blues, the title itself is symbolic of the blues in the matrix of the African-American culture of music and suffering. To understand the significance of the blues, one must first define the blues, where the blues originated, and how it is related to suffering and how it is communicated in music. The American Heritage Dictionary defines blues as (1) a state of depression or melancholy, and (2) a style of jazz evolved from southern American Negro secular songs. It is also inclusive of pensive reflection and contemplation which is descriptive of Baldwins writing of Sonnys Blues. It is very difficult to determine the exact origin of the blues. Although its earliest roots evolved from West Africa, the†¦show more content†¦The narrators struggles are not only can he not leave Harlem but of the struggle and promise he made to his mother to take care of Sonny - not let him fall. I was sitting in the living room in the dark, by myself, and I suddenly thought of Sonny. My trouble made his real. (238) Sonnys suffering is his enduring need to get out of Harlem, the need to be heard, his need for his brother to understand him musically and emotionally, and the overpowering need to liberate himself of the poison - heroin. Sonny says, It can come again. Baldwin, again, emphasizes to the reader, the acknowledgment of suffering of the African-American in the observance of the revival meeting, which begins to reconcile the narrator and Sonny, in their conflicting definition of suffering. As they watch through the window, Sonny recognizes how much suffering the woman had to experience. ...listening to that woman sing, it struck me all of a sudden how much suffering she must have had to go through - to sing like that. Its repulsive to think you have to suffer that much. The narrator responds, But theres no way not to suffer, is there, Sonny? (241) Sonny doesnt believe you should just sit back and take the suffering, it was important to Sonny that there be meaning to suffering. Sonny tells the narrator what kind of musician he wants to be. When the narrator isShow MoreRelatedSonnys Blues1514 Words   |  7 PagesHow does Baldwins real-life experience connect to his short story, Sonnys Blues? The writer was a poor boy growing up. He was also a Negro, so things were bad for him and his family in white America. He probably felt sad every day of his childhood so he turned to books for entertainment and maybe escape. When he started reading, he found that he liked it and wanted to create stories for other people to enjoy, but he was a poor Negro boy who could not expect help from the whites, so he taughtRead MoreSonnys Blues in Harlem896 Words   |  4 Pagesus have to struggle to make ends meet and others are born with money at their feet already. â€Å"Sonny’s Blues† opens up in Harlem with the narrator on a bus reading a newspaper learning that his brother, Sonny, has been arrested for selling heroin. Sonny’s brother takes him in after he is released from jail. However, his brother is scared if he lets him back into his home he will fall into his old ways. Sonny’s true passion in life is to become a Jazz musician but his family doesn’ t believe in what heRead MoreSonnys Blues1264 Words   |  6 PagesSonny s Blues A captivating tale of a relationship between two troubling brothers in Harlem, Sonny s Blues is told from the perception of Sonny s brother, whose name is never mentioned. 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According to his brother, who narrates Sonnys Blues, SonnyRead More Sonnys Blues by James Baldwin Essay1228 Words   |  5 PagesSonnys Blues by James Baldwin A captivating tale of a relationship between two troubling brothers in Harlem, Sonnys Blues is told from the perception of Sonnys brother, whose name is never mentioned. Baldwins choice of Sonnys brother as a narrator is what makes Sonnys Blues significant in terms of illustrating the relationship and emotional complications of Sonny and his brother. The significance of Sonnys Blues lies in the way Sonnys brother describes their relationship based onRead MoreEssay on Literary Analysis of James Baldwin’s Sonny’s Blues2323 Words   |  10 Pagesgenerally done just to entertain readers. Some authors create stories with a singular point of view, while others introduce more complex plots and storylines. When it comes to author James Baldwin’s short story Sonny’s Blues, there is much depth given to the storyline and the characters. Sonny’s Blues has been analyzed by many different people throughout time because the story has many elements. From Baldwinà ¢â‚¬â„¢s skillful use of metaphors and similes to his incorporation of religious references, this storyRead MoreDrugs and Musicians in â€Å"Sonny’s Blues† by James Baldwin Essay840 Words   |  4 PagesWhen first reading â€Å"Sonny’s Blues† by James Baldwin, it may initially seem that the relationship between musicians and drugs is synonymous. Public opinion suggests that musicians and drugs go hand and hand. The possibility lies that Sonny’s passion for jazz music is the underlying reason for his drug use, or even the world of jazz music itself brought drugs into Sonny’s life. The last statement is what the narrator believes to be true. However, by delving deeper and examining the theme of music in