Sonny’s Blues By: James Baldwin

Biographical Information  James Baldwin was born on August 2, 1924 in Harlem, New York t  He attended DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx  Grew up very religious. Was a child minister.  Began writing career in Greenwood Village, New York City.  He wrote using parts of his own life to show the true “black experience” of the time in America.  First novel was, Go Tell It on the Mountain  Professor at UMass Amherst and Hampshire College  Baldwin died on December 1, 1987 in St. Paul de Vence, France where he lived.

Historical Context/Setting  Sonny’s Blues takes place in the mid 20 th century, around the 1950’s after WWII, in Manhattan, New York.  Important overlooked point made in the story is the reference to the military status of the narrator and Sonny. This gives the story historical context by showing that African Americans served in the war in the early to mid 1900’s. Also it shows that kids growing up in slums and very dangerous neighborhoods would rather join the military then deal with living that life.  Narrator tells sonny “people can’t always do what they want to do”. This relates to how hard it was for African Americans to have any success or freedom due to restrictions in life during this time.

Manhattan during the 1950’s

Theme The theme of Sonny’s Blues is all about the idea of family over everything. The narrators mom told him to watch over Sonny throughout life and to be there for him. Sonny lives a hard life between being addicted to heroin and growing up as an African American in a time of segregation. But the narrator is still there for his brother. This idea of family also extends throughout the community which shows how African Americans had to stick together in general during these times of poverty and racism.

Conflict  There is internal and external conflict within this story. Sonny is battling a heroin addiction as he just gets out of jail. He also wants to be a musician but his family doesn’t believe in him. The other conflict is between the narrator and himself. He is trying to live up to his mother’s expectations of him being there for his brother but it is hard for him to do.

Summary  The narrator is a school teacher and he receives news that his brother has been arrested for possession of heroin. After his daughter passes away, the narrator starts making contact with Sonny and lets him live with him when he gets out. In a flashback, the narrator talks to his mother before leaving for the army. She tells him to watch out for his brother. In the flashback, Sonny’s life is shown as he was growing up. He wanted to be a musician. After fighting with his family, Sonny decided to join the military also. When the brothers eventually met up again, they just fought. They never talked again until Sonny was in jail. At the end the narrator thinks about searching Sonny’s room but decides not to. They then go to a jazz bar and Sonny performs. The narrator watches him struggle and realizes who Sonny really is.

Literary Criticism  This story has more than the eye can see. Most people see the emotion between the narrator and his brother Sonny. Sonny is going through problems with heroin addiction and him and the narrator connect throughout the story. But the narrator is also going through his own issues. He wants to live up to his mothers expectations of being there for his brother.  The tone of the story changes throughout. It has been said that the tone of the final scene is “elevated and religious”, which is different than the voice throughout the whole story. The writer says that the story isn’t just about the narrators experiences, but its also about the internal transformation of himself. It shows emotional and “spiritual growth”.

Works Cited Biographical Information Source: A+E Networks. "James Baldwin Biography." Bio.com A&E Networks Television. 02 Feb Literary Criticism Source: Gioia, Dana. ""Sonny's Blues"" Feb Historical Context Source: ""Sonny's Blues" Lecture." "Sonny's Blues" Lecture. UC Davis. 02 Feb