Sonny's Blues Literary Analysis

Sonny’s Life in Conflict

In James Baldwin’s short story, “Sonny’s Blues,” the narrator provides multiple expressions and ideas to give us readers a better understanding of what is going on throughout the story. The narrator not only gives us thorough information, but displays major themes as the story changes roles. The term conflict really stood out to me as I was reading through the story. Playing the role of a big brother was not all that easy for the narrator, in which he found out first handed how big of a role it really is. Also in “Sonny 's Blues,” the narrator is reflecting his experiences with family members such as his mother and his younger brother. A special promise was made by the narrator to his mom; “Promise me when
He knew Sonny’s friend was doing drugs, but had no clue his little brother were doing them to. He mentioned in the story that he knew Sonny was a little wild at times, but he sure wasn’t crazy. The narrator wants to make sure Sonny is safe and off the streets; so he demands for him to come live with him and Isabel. Sonny agreed and it just so happened that they have a piano for him to practice his music on. Little did the narrator know, Sonny was still unhappy and wanted to move somewhere else. One day Isabel went to check on Sonny, and he was nowhere to be found. Months later a letter was received at the narrator’s home saying; Sonny had joined the navy and would go as far as they would take him. The two brothers didn’t meet back up until they were both back in New York. First thing Sonny wanted to do was going back to his hometown streets and play some
“Hello, boy,” said a voice coming from very a very large black guy behind him (70). Sonny immediately recognizes the voice that turned out to be his old friend Creole that was a musician. They begin shaking hands, and introducing each other to one another. Creole then came up with the wonderful idea of them performing together in front the live audience “Sonny do you want to perform tonight?” (71). The narrator, being a big brother, had to discuss this over with Sonny. “For, while the tale of how we suffer, and how we are delighted, and how we may triumph is never new, it always must be heard. There isn’t any other tale to tell, it’s the only light we’ve got in all this darkness” (71). This was the perfect time for Sonny to show off what he could do on the piano. The two friends and a light skinned black man began performing for the crowd that was cheering them on. Sonny couldn’t have been any happier, because he knew he had redeemed himself for all of the pain and sorrow put on the