Brothers' Relationship in Baldwin's Sonny's Blues

The story “Sonny’s Blues “is about two brothers that deal with racism. In dealing with their issues they both suffer and survive in their family and community. Their stories are a strong impact on their character and how they deal with their pain. Sonny chooses a more damaging means of racism, such as drug addiction to heroin; although, he does find a better choice music! The older brother, the narrator, James Baldwin, goes to college to become a teacher, and give back to his community in Harlem.

Sonny's Blues by James Baldwin A captivating tale of a relationship between two troubling brothers in Harlem, "Sonny's Blues" is told from the perception of Sonny's brother, whose name is never mentioned. Baldwin's choice of Sonny's brother as a narrator is what makes "Sonny's Blues" significant in terms of illustrating the relationship and emotional complications of Sonny and his brother. The significance of "Sonny's Blues" lies in the way Sonny's brother describes their relationship based on what he observes, hears, and feels, and how he struggles trying to understand Sonny through the course of the story. This is a story of how two African Americans brothers take their own path through life as they struggle to find meaning in their lives. Sonny's brother point of view is shared in this story as he feels responsible to keep his brother safe.

Tom favors his father’s passion for freedom from the overstretching, imposing will of his mother, but Tom also differs in that he can not justify the abandonment of his sister without insuring his sister’s well being. Amanda is leading Tom to leave home in much the same way as his father did; she even compares the two. Amanda says, “More and more you remind me of your father! He was out all hours without explanation! – Then left!

In addition, they are both trapped within themselves, the narrator unable to express his emotions or live up to his obligations as a brother until his daughter’s death gives him the motivation that he needs to change and do so, while Sonny is unable to express himself without heroin and his music. Works Cited Baldwin, James. "Sonny’s Blues." The Story and its Writer: An Introduction to Shorty Fiction. Ed.

Such as the narrator expressing his anger towards his brother’s drug use and Sonny’s frustration towards the narrator not understanding his plan to become a jazz musician. For example, the narrator states, “I realized, with this mocking look, that there stood between us, forever, beyond the power of time or forgiveness, the fact that I had held silence – so long! – when he had needed human speech to help him” (pg.94). The argument with his brother made him realize that he abandon his younger brother when he needed him the most. He realized that if he would have spoken out and talk about his drug use that he wouldn’t have to go

In Sonny’s Blues a big issue is the idea of Salvation. Sonny’s blues is a story about two brothers on opposite paths, with different worldviews. The characters in the story are from the same place, raised by the same people, and taught the same things, but they are different in the brain and heart, which makes their journey to salvation very different trips. Sonny is the younger of the brothers and he struggles with drugs, the ideas of suffering, and feeling trapped. The narrator on the other hand struggles with the death of his daughter, his relationship with his brother, and feeling trapped.

"I think he sort of looked down on me for that," Richard says. The older brother's rejection of Sonny's music damages th... ... middle of paper ... ...s to "let out the reins" as Creole does and recognize that his brother can do things by himself and as he chooses. Appropriately, Baldwin selects Sonny's music to show both his brother and the readers that no two people, even siblings, must agree on everything. Sonny's music tells Baldwin's audience what Richard had to learn "the hard way": Some questions have more than one right answer. Sonny and Richard will coexist more peacefully and enjoy a truly fulfilling relationship if Richard continues to let go of his need to change Sonny and accept him for who he is.

James Baldwin, the author of “Sonny Blues,” is an African American novelist and storywriter. In one of his most famous stories, “Sonny’s Blues,” he writes about a young boy that has an addiction to heroin. The story shows the relationship between two brothers and the problems that they, and their family have to endure. The brothers do not have a close bond during the time that the story takes place. James Baldwin, while growing up also dealt with many family issues.

It is as if Baldwin has for... ... middle of paper ... ...and be prepared to bow our heads to injustice or demand "equal power" (238) and fight for our rights to the best of our abilities. Baldwin looks at his relationship with his father remorsefully and wishes his father was alive to guide him. Unlike his father, Baldwin decides to take on life as it comes and not run away from the world. He chooses a tough path, of keeping his "heart free of hatred and despair" (238) because he realizes that hatred will only isolate him from the people around him. Baldwin is unsure of how successful he will be and what the future holds for him, but he does hope of not having a secluded future like his father.

Before leaving to the army, his brother asked him what he wanted to do for his future and without any hesitation or thinking, Sonny answered, “I want to be a musician,” (105). Sonny understands that his brother has a lot of expectations in him and tends to control his behavior, but he definitely knew that his brother did not feel serious about this with him. Most importantly his brother was surprised with one of his response and that was, “I think people ought to d...