James Baldwin Sonny's Blues

This story had a tremendous impact on me because as I watched the brothers reconcile in this story, I empathized with the choices they both had to make based on their life experiences. No two brothers could seem more distinct on the surface than Sonny and the narrator. The narrator is a respectable teacher and family man. He is cautious and proud of his achievement in life. Sonny, in contrast, is emotional, passionate, and he is not afraid to take risks in life to follow the dreams he desires. Sonny and the narrator have lost their parents,

. . .
ready decided you was going to go and live at IsabelÆsö (Baldwin, 1977, 220). SonnyÆs response shows the walls separating the brothers, ôYou decided it...I didnÆt decide nothingö (Baldwin, 1977, 220). This exchange made me feel sad because I have often had my own life choices dictated to me by ôconcernedö relatives or friends who seldom understand my real needs or motives. Sonny has experienced more pain and anguish than his brother, which is responsible for his need for jazz. It is only through the music that Sonny is able to find some refuge, some peace, and some acceptance of the pain. I really relate to this aspect of the story because I often use music as a means of escape from the daily trials and tribulations of living. For the narrator, his initial disdain for SonnyÆs lifestyle changes once his daughter dies of polio. It is only then that he begins to glimpse an understanding of why his brother needs jazz so much û it is an escape from and a form of dealing with anguish. CreoleÆs impact on the narrator is a foreshadowing of SonnyÆs impact on his older brother when he begins to play the piano. It is SonnyÆs skill and total immersion in his music that makes the narrator begin to have respect for SonnyÆs way of life
. . .

Some common words found in the essay are:
IsabelÆsö Baldwin, SonnyÆs Blues, African American, African Americans, Winthrop Publishers, Wide Web, baldwin 1977, jazz music, sonnyÆs blues, Life Harlem, Paul Parish, COMM/A-1 TPPR, story tremendous impact, baldwin 1977 220, tremendous impact, story tremendous, choices life, music makes, 1977 220, baldwin 1977 229, life narrator, african americans living, electronic page,
Approximate Word count = 1350
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page)

More Essays on James Baldwin Sonny Blues