"Sonny's Blues," a short story by James Baldwin, does not conform to the traditional stages of narrative. The narrative does not commence with an exposition, for example.
From the outset, the story immediately addresses the conflict surrounding Sonny. The narrator initially expresses concern over Sonny's drug-related arrest and addiction. However, the primary source of conflict centers on the fractured relationship between Sonny and the narrator. Despite being siblings, the narrator only introduces Sonny several paragraphs into the story, with character introductions occurring later as part of the rising action. A flashback is also utilized as a literary device to incorporate rising action into the story.
The narrator’s flashbacks of their past life - including their childhood, promise to their mother, and mother’s funeral - help the reader understand the charac
...ters’ motives and thought processes. The climax of the story features a deep conversation between the brothers where Sonny shares his struggles with addiction and personal demons. This conversation serves as a turning point for the narrator, as their prejudices are stripped away and their questions answered. Ultimately, this conversation resolves many of the brothers’ issues.
The most powerful moment of the story occurs in the club when the narrator is deeply moved by Sonny's music. In this scene, Sonny's music provides answers to the narrator's lingering questions. The climax concludes with a brief and sentimental exchange between the two brothers, as Sonny takes a sip of the drink his brother has sent him. However, the story concludes at its emotional climax, as the narrator describes the drink as glowing like a "cup of trembling," with no subsequent falling action.
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