Assignment Question

Write an essay in which you examine the relationship between Sonny and the narrator in “Sonny’s blues”. Consider each characters views and perspective of the other character. Generate your own argumentative thesis, and illustrate, exemplify and prove all claims with textual evidence from the short story cited per MLA style in the essay and works cited.

Answer

Introduction

 

James Baldwin’s “Sonny’s Blues” is a poignant exploration of the intricate relationship between two brothers, the unnamed narrator and Sonny. Set against the backdrop of Harlem in the mid-20th century, the story delves deep into their distinct perspectives and views of each other, unveiling a complex web of emotions and tensions. Through their evolving relationship, Baldwin illuminates the transformative power of understanding, empathy, and communication within familial bonds. In this essay, we will examine the evolving relationship between Sonny and the narrator by considering their contrasting views and perspectives of each other, ultimately highlighting the story’s central theme of redemption and reconciliation.

Thesis Statement

In “Sonny’s Blues,” the characters of Sonny and the narrator perceive each other through different lenses, with Sonny seeking freedom through music and the narrator wrestling with his own preconceived judgments. Despite these differences, their eventual mutual understanding and empathy signify the possibility of redemption and reconciliation within a fractured family.

I. Sonny’s Perspective of the Narrator

Sonny, the younger brother and a talented jazz musician, sees the narrator as a symbol of the life he wants to escape. He perceives his older brother as someone who has conformed to societal norms, embodying the restrictions of a conventional life. This perspective is evident when Sonny describes his feelings about his brother’s desire for him to pursue a stable career:

“‘If you don’t want to drink,’ I said, ‘you don’t have to. But you can’t just sit around doing nothing.’ ‘You the one that’s doing nothing, baby,’ he said. ‘You the one that’s sitting around, waiting for Sonny to be a good boy!'” (Baldwin, 50).

Sonny believes that the narrator does not understand the depth of his struggles, particularly his desire to break free from the limitations imposed by their upbringing and societal expectations. He views his brother as disconnected from his inner turmoil, which ultimately drives a wedge between them.

II. The Narrator’s Perspective of Sonny

On the other hand, the narrator initially sees Sonny as a reckless and misguided individual who has fallen prey to the temptations of the Harlem streets. He is unable to comprehend Sonny’s passion for music and his desire to escape through it. The narrator’s perspective is reflected in his thoughts about Sonny’s musical ambitions:

“I couldn’t believe it: but what I mean is, I couldn’t find any real proof of it, except that I had almost died, looking at him. He seemed to be saying, much more than I could ever say, and he was saying it for me. He was saying, ‘If you live, you can be anything.'” (Baldwin,49).

The narrator’s initial inability to understand Sonny’s musical journey exemplifies the disconnect between them. He struggles to grasp the profound importance of music in Sonny’s life and fails to recognize it as a form of redemption and escape.

III. Mutual Understanding and Redemption

As the story unfolds, the characters’ perspectives gradually shift. The narrator attends one of Sonny’s jazz performances, where he witnesses the transformative power of music and begins to comprehend the depth of Sonny’s struggle. This moment is crucial in their evolving relationship, as it marks the beginning of the narrator’s journey toward understanding and empathy. The narrator describes the experience:

“I seemed to hear with what burning he had made it his, with what burning we had yet to make it ours, how we could cease lamenting. Freedom lurked around us, and I understood, at last, that he could help us to be free if we would listen, that he would never be free until we did” (Baldwin,49).

This realization signifies a turning point in their relationship. The narrator recognizes that Sonny’s music is a form of self-expression and a means of coping with the struggles of life in Harlem. He understands that Sonny’s pursuit of music is not a reckless rebellion but a path toward redemption.

Conclusion

In “Sonny’s Blues,” James Baldwin masterfully explores the complex relationship between two brothers, Sonny and the narrator, by examining their differing perspectives of each other. Sonny perceives the narrator as an embodiment of conformity and societal restrictions, while the narrator initially views Sonny as a misguided soul lost to the streets. However, as the story unfolds, their perspectives gradually shift, culminating in a moment of mutual understanding and empathy. This transformation highlights the story’s central theme of redemption and reconciliation within a fractured family. Through their evolving relationship, Baldwin illustrates the transformative power of empathy, communication, and the acceptance of individual pursuits. “Sonny’s Blues” ultimately serves as a testament to the enduring bond of brotherhood, which can overcome even the most profound differences.

Works Cited

Baldwin, James. “Sonny’s Blues.” Going to Meet the Man. Dial Press, 1965, pp. 49-76.

frequently asked questions (FAQs) 

Q1: How do Sonny and the narrator perceive each other initially in the story?

A1: Initially, Sonny sees the narrator as someone who conforms to societal norms and fails to understand his struggles, while the narrator perceives Sonny as a misguided individual lost to the temptations of Harlem streets and fails to grasp the importance of Sonny’s music.

Q2: What is the turning point in the relationship between Sonny and the narrator?

A2: The turning point occurs when the narrator attends one of Sonny’s jazz performances and witnesses the transformative power of music. He begins to understand the depth of Sonny’s struggle and the significance of music in his life.

Q3: How does the story highlight the theme of redemption and reconciliation?

A3: The story demonstrates redemption and reconciliation through the evolving relationship between Sonny and the narrator. Their mutual understanding and empathy signify the possibility of healing within their fractured family.

Q4: What does the essay emphasize as the key factors in the transformation of their relationship?

A4: The essay underscores empathy, communication, and the acceptance of individual pursuits as key factors in the transformation of Sonny and the narrator’s relationship. These elements enable them to bridge the gap between their differing perspectives.

Q5: How does the essay conclude regarding the enduring bond of brotherhood?

A5: The essay concludes that “Sonny’s Blues” serves as a testament to the enduring bond of brotherhood, which can overcome even the most profound differences when empathy and understanding are nurtured.