Sonny’s Bluespsychology Narrative Essay Example
Sonny’s Bluespsychology Narrative Essay Example

Sonny’s Bluespsychology Narrative Essay Example

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  • Pages: 2 (305 words)
  • Published: October 30, 2017
  • Type: Analysis
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James Baldwin's "Sonny's Blues" portrays the theme of suffering through the struggle between two brothers attempting to comprehend each other. The story highlights the challenges faced by African-Americans in the mid-twentieth century, where their societal status was determined by race. Though the brothers seem dissimilar initially, Sonny's brother starts comprehending his sibling's peculiar ways towards the story's end. Despite appearing to have a robust exterior, Sonny's brother comes to terms with how he has suppressed his own suffering over time.

Despite having already lost his uncle, mother, and father, Sonny is now dealing with the recent death of his daughter Grace and living in inadequate housing projects in Harlem. Although he is struggling, his brother still harbors feelings of resentment towards Sonny's lifestyle. Specifically, he disapproves of Sonny's love for ja

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zz music, referring to jazz enthusiasts as "good-time people" who lack depth. However, what Sonny's brother fails to realize is that Sonny uses his love for jazz music as a means to cope with the "darkness" and "suffering" he has endured in life.

The story portrays Sonny as observing his brother and other black Americans in the 1940s who endure discrimination and accept the reality of living in a hostile environment. This is similar to how black slaves sang ‘Spirituals’ during the middle passage, telling stories of their struggles. Later in the story, we meet Creole, Sonny's band member, who serves as a mentor and helps Sonny's brother understand his connection and passion for music. Creole is an enormous black man who shows great care for others and uses reason to bridge the gap between Sonny's brother and Sonny's love for music.

The quoted statement, enclosed in HTM

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paragraph tags, expresses the singular source of brightness amidst a vast expanse of obscurity.

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