James Baldwin’s Sonny’s Blues Essay

In James Baldwins short hi bilgewater laddies Blues a young human being questions his cordial obligations after finding that his younger brother has been arrested for using drugs. In the elbow grease to rectify his younger brothers behavior and life, the young man faces his own feelings for his brother and comes to terms with the life his brother Sonny lives. The increments of true elements- game, character, point of view, setting, symbolism-in the report help accentuate the vote counters struggles and theme(s) of the report card. peerless of the most important elements of this story is the setting.Taking place in the drug-plagued, poverty-stricken, and frustrated streets of Harlem in the 1950s, the setting aids any reader in correspondence the obstacles and hardships the cashier and his brother faced growing up in Harlem. From the cashiers description of the setting, we can infer that the violence, drug abuse, and indigence in the tellers community, Harlem, has had a deep emotional impact on him and his brother. Furthermore the setting can also be argued to have pretty attributed to Sonnys difficulties.The point-of-view also plays a pivotal role in providing an insight into the lives of the narrator and Sonny and the environment in which they were raised. The story is told in first person by Sonnys brother, an unnamed narrator. Although the storys title might invoke the sense that Sonny is main character, making the narrator a subordinate character, the story is as oftentimes roughly the narrator as it is about Sonny. Through the narrators perspective, we see the torn city of Harlem and the hurdles that Sonny has faced and entrust face.The narrator is more aware of Harlems dangerous and violent side. In numerous instances, he recognises the poverty and crime that are rampant in the community. More importantly, the narrators point-of-view enhances the emphasis on the relationship between him and his brother. Furthermore, the narrator is an excellent narrator because he is able to give us a reliable glimpse into to Sonnys life and his own. The development of the plot stands out as one of the most crucial elements of the story. From the in truth beginning, the narrator discovers that Sonny hasbeen arrested for his drug use. This action engenders the narrator to reflect on his relationship with Sonny. The discovery of Sonnys arrest quickly conveys to us a point that is so central to the story. Following the introduction of plot is the conflict. The conflict of the story centers around the narrator and Sonny arguing about Sonnys decision to become a jazz musician. This conflict,however, has happened earlier the situation in the introduction of the story but is mentioned further in the story. Sonnys desire to become a jazz worker is seen as a waste of time by the narrator.Consequently, tension is organise between the brothers because of their lack of agreement on the issue. The tension between the brothers gets raze m ore complicated when Sonny moves into the narrators a come outment. During this part of the story, the narrator and Sonny try to come to terms with themselves and apiece other. The climax of the story is when the narrator and Sonny argue in the apartment. This is the most important part of the story because both brothers have a brutally honest argument. The narrator discusses Sonnys drug use, his misunderstanding of Sonny as a musician, and Sonnys frustration in life.This argument between the two brothers resolves when Sonny invites the narrator to come hear him play. The story concludes as the narrator sends Sonny a drink. The narrator finally understands how important music is to Sonny. The story leaves the readers with the impression that both brothers may finally find peace with each other. Another critical part of the story is the symbolism. Baldwins use of the exculpated and darkness as two forces that are constantly clashing with each other is very symbolic in what it conv eys.These two contrasting forces seem to high twinkle the hope and despair of the characters lives. At beginning of the story, Baldwin uses light to describe the room full church people. This suggest that light represents positive moments in life. In contrast, darkness represents the problems and struggles of the characters lives it is also more pervasive in the characters lives than light. Sonnys problems and the condition of Harlem are embodiment of the widespread darkness in the story. At the end of the story, the narrator sends a glass that he describes as the very cup of trembling. This very cup highlights the troubles and uncertainty Sonny currently has in his life. It symbolizes Sonnys effort to redeem himself of the suffering he has caused and endured. Given its unique structure, Sonnys Blues stands out as one of Baldwins most critically-acclaimed works. Collectively, the elements of the story paint a vista of the atmosphere during one of Harlems renown periods. In conclu sion, these elements of Sonnys Blues enhance the storys meaning and shed light on the difficulties Sonny and his brother faced.