Sonny's Blues Character and Symbolism Analysis - Essay Example

? “Sonny's Blues” Character and Symbolism Analysis Introduction ‘Sonny’s blues’ is a short story by an American writer, James Baldwin. The writer has been one of the most influential writers in history and has had a major contribution in the literature industry. The story was written in 1957 and revolves among two main characters, Sonny and the narrator. It also emphasizes on themes based on the character’s lifestyles and traits (McParland 15). The story was set in the 1920s during the increased cases of poverty in the Harlem region. Characters and characterization The writer has used characterization to bring up several morals of the story such as drug abuse and its effect to the family and society. Sonny is the main character and a brother to the narrator of the story. He has a passion for Jazz and later becomes a musician after leaving jail due to his heroin addiction. Sonny’s brother, the narrator, who does not appear frequently in the story is the second main character. Isabel is the narrator’s wife and sister in law to Sonny. She is very caring and helps Sonny continue with his school life. There are also Sonny and Isabel’s parents who play a major role in bringing up Sonny while the narrator is away. After the death of Sonny’s mother, Isabel’s parents take care of Sonny. The character (narrator) writes about his brother Sonny who was a jazz musician. The story starts after the writer (who is the narrator) reads an article from the newspaper about his younger brother being arrested. He is very shocked since he is suspected to be dealing drugs (heroin) and was to be jailed. At this time, the writer is an algebra teacher at a school in Harlem. However, he does not leave Harlem irrespective of his job. This shows the issue of poverty. According to the writer, Sonny had a very secret life and so did their dad. Nobody knew what he was up to and being brought up in a poverty-stricken suburb, he got involved in drugs and crime. However, after reading the article, he still cares for his brother and cannot get the thoughts from his mind. This is evident in class where he cannot pay attention and gets worried that the young boys in his class may engage in criminal related activities. He also assumes that those boys who do not do well in class or do not have better futures might be dealing drugs. After school that day, he meets on of Sonny’s childhood friends and tells him about his brother. Sonny’s friend explains to him that while in prison, Sonny would be in some kind of a rehabilitation centre and would help him stop his addiction to heroin. According to the story, he says, “they’ll send him to some place and try to cure him” (Baldwin 18). In spite of Sonny being jailed and guilt due to brotherly love, the narrator does not visit or write to him in prison. This continues until when the narrator’s daughter passes away and he writes a letter to Sonny to inform him on the demise. The writer says, “And I didn’t write Sonny or send him anything for a long time” (Baldwin 85). Nevertheless, after sending him a letter, Sonny in return writes back and this becomes the starting point for their contact and conversation. Their silent relationship is now rekindled. From the story, this is where the reader gets to know the relationship (bothers) between the writer and Sonny. They keep in contact until when Sonny leaves prison and moves to Harlem to live with his brother and family. On his first day at home, they all eat a family dinner that causes them to remember their past while young. The two start talking about their father, who died while Sonny was fifteen years old. The narrator also refers to their father as a secretive man just as his brother. However, he also claims that he was a drunkard that made him tough and loud talking. The narrator then focuses on their mother. The last time he had seen his mother was before leaving for a war, most probably the Second World War. He continues to remember what their mother had told her about how their uncle had been killed by drunken white kids after a hit and run attack. These flashbacks try to pin point the exact moments in the lives of the narrator and Sonny when their relationship starts drifting apart. It is through this particular flashback that the writer talks about meeting and marrying Isabel before leaving for the war. The next time that he comes home is during his mother’s burial. Here he has the chance to socialize with his brother Sonny and know what he has been going through. Sonny in return tells him about his urge to be a jazz musician with the piano being his best instrument. The narrator is not satisfied with this idea and especially at this time when Sonny is in high school. Sonny tries to explain his dream but this leads to an argument between the two. He refers to his brother as ignorant simply because he does not know who Charlie Parker is (Charlie then was a jazz saxophonist). Sonny does not want to go finish his high school education or live at his parents in law’s house. However, they come up with a solution that Sonny should go to Isabel parent’s house to play piano as long as he goes to school. Symbolism in the story Harlem has been symbolized with “rocks in the middle of a boiling sea.” Use of this symbol shows the state in which Harlem has been for the past years. There are high rates of poverty and crime. The housing projects in Harlem are pathetic and miserable. The narrator becomes a teacher in one of the elementary schools but his lifestyle does not change. Sonny too works in the army for a short period but later returns to deal with drugs. The whole situation shows how it is hard for one to survive in Harlem even with the presence of good ideas and plans. The writer has also used light and darkness to show the vicissitudes of characters in the story. At some point, Sonny while young is described to be full of light. He is a very quiet, harmless, and obedient boy until he joins school and joins bad characters. Light has also been used to describe Sonny’s future after he leaves prison and concentrates on his musical career. Darkness on the other hand describes Sonny’s life after he adopts his evil character, is busted, and serves time in prison. The Cup of Trembling (Baldwin 239) has been used as symbol whereby Sonny and the narrator move in the jazz club. It happens after the narrator sends Sonny a drink while performing and claims that it is The Cup of Trembling. It meaning is not clear but to some point reflects to Sonny’s future, which could be bright if he continued with his work as a musician. It also means that as Sonny drinks from the cup, he remembers all the suffering that he has gone through in his lifetime. This is because the symbol is also Biblically where it brings flashbacks of suffering. Conclusion The story shows how sufferings and problems have brought the two brothers together. Sonny is able to quit heroin and change to his dream career, which is being a jazz musician. The writer has successfully used characters that effectively enhanced the plot. Moreover, the use of symbolism makes the story interesting and informative. Works Cited Baldwin, James. Sonny's blues. 1. Aufl. ed. Stuttgart: Klett Sprachen, 2009. Print. McParland, Robert. Music and literary modernism: critical essays and comparative studies. Newcastle-upon-Tyne: Cambridge Scholars, 2005. Print. Read More