Coughlin 1 Steven Coughlin 4/9/14 Prof.

Jacobs ENC1102 Sonnys Blues Brother Throughout the short story, Sonnys Blues, the theme of family and its issues come into play as the main characters brother Sonny is released from prison after a heroin addiction. This is the main conflict of the story as to what becomes of Sonny and how will his brother react. In conclusion the theme of family and the plot will be analyzed in Sonnys Blues using the new historicism criteria. Sonnys Blues is the story of Sonny and his brother set in Harlem during various points of Sonny and his brothers lives. The main focus though is the relationship between Sonny and his older brother as they fall through hard times, mainly Sonnys heroin addiction. However despite all of this Sonny and his brother dont lose sight of how they are family. At the beginning of the story Sonnys brother finds out that Sonny is coming back. This causes him to reminisce about Sonny through various points of their childhood and how much he has changed. He also talks to a local man about Sonny and the old days but it also raises an important question. What are you going to do? About Sonny that is. Throughout Sonnys return more memories are brought up which leads to more reconciliation. The last time Sonnys brother saw his mom he

Coughlin 2 made a promise to watch out for Sonny no matter what happens. Unfortunately this promise is broken. The theme of family is clearly shown throughout the story mainly through Sonny and his brothers relationship. They often argue and fight over things like Sonnys life choice. Most specifically how Sonny wants to get into jazz and when Sonny left school. There was also a particular argument over how Sonny wants to leave Harlem so bad that he is willing to join the military just to get away, which despite Sonnys brothers pleas Sonny still does it. However there is more to this family then the two brothers. Their parents also had an interesting relationship. Until their fathers death the father was a drunk and bitter yet tough man. However before Sonnys brother leaves to the military with his wife his mother tells him a bit about his father. That his father had a brother who was a musician who was unfortunately was killed by a bunch of drunken white men who ran him over. This lead to his fathers bitterness and that every time his father saw a white man he would think that was his brothers killer. This is why the mom asks Sonnys brother to always look after Sonny. Despite all the conflict between the two brothers they are still family and they do both care about each other. This is proven as when Sonnys brother loses his young daughter to polio. Sonnys brother writes to the only person he can truly talk to, his brother Sonny. Also when Sonny expresses how he wants to be a musician his brother expresses concern as he sees a resemblance to his deceased uncle. The obvious elephant I the room though is his heroin addiction and how despite what

Coughlin 3 others say he hopes that Sonny will kick the habit but over time learns that Sonny is coping through his music and comes to terms with it. The plot itself is very intriguing, filled with character depth and emotions. The story often jumps between various points of Sonnys brothers life, which are typically triggered from seeing certain events. Such events include his childhood and growing up in Harlem. The author, James Baldwin, was born in New York at a time very different from today which leads to the possibility that Sonnys Blues was a representation of what James Baldwin saw at the time. These elements include the birth of Jazz, prejudice, and more. Elements of the New Historicism criteria are seen in the short story as well. The main thing to note is the culture element of the story from two African Americans during the Harlem renaissance. Sonny represents the typical lower class African American who is rebelling against society and dealing with city issues like drugs, this is eventually leading to the civil rights movement. Meanwhile Sonnys brother is on the other side of the fence with a career and future in the white community however despite how he is better accustomed the color of his skin is still a barrier. Regardless of their similar cultures at the start of their lives eventually they split culturally do to different circumstances. Sonnys brother brings up repeatedly how much Sonny changed throughout his life, this is just a part of how life shapes us through events and that nobody is destined for a set course based solely on culture. Sonny realistically could have

Coughlin 4 never got involved with the Harlem renaissance and thus never get into jazz or heroin. Vice versa Sonnys older brother could have easily gotten involves with the city life and been part of the movement. Sonnys Blues was a fantastic short story and truly portrayed great story telling elements. From the general plot to themes of culture lifestyles to the idea of family and how it always sticks together. James Baldwin did a fantastic job on this short story that was clearly inspired by what he saw in his life.

Coughlin 5 Work Cited

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Clark, Keith. "The Perilous Journey to a Brother's Country: James Baldwin and the Rigors of Community." Black Manhood in James Baldwin, Ernest J. Gaines, and August Wilson. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 2002. 30-64. Rpt. in Short Story Criticism. Ed. Jelena O. Krstovic. Vol. 98. Detroit: Gale, 2007. Literature Resources from Gale. Web. 17 Apr. 2014. Document URL http://go.galegroup.com.db29.linccweb.org/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7 CH1420076264&v=2.1&u=lincclin_vcc&it=r&p=LitRG&sw=w&asi d=5c71434d7786c37bdd5a3ccd8bcdf186