The Themes Of Symbolism In Sonnys Blues By James Baldwin

Sonny’s Blues by James Baldwin is a short story that expresses the themes of alienation, identity, drugs, music, family, suffering, redemption, racism in society and imprisonment. Baldwin uses a lot of symbolism, allegories and imagery within the text. Music, alienation, drugs and suffering are the themes that are most clearly understood and show up the most. Music and drugs and perfect examples of symbolism. And when Baldwin talks about suffering and alienation they have the closest connection to being allegories. Music brings Sonny and his brother together but also tears them apart, so its a contradicting factor in this story. Sonnys music and his drugs play similar roles within the text as well. Sonny and the narrator suffered not only†¦show more content†¦This Passage is important because it shows a more vulnerable side of Sonny and shows that he really does care about them and he knows that they affect more than just him. Music and drugs go hand in hand in this short story. Sonny talks about how the drugs made him feel, â€Å"It makes you feel – in control. Sometimes youve gotta have that feeling† (Baldwin 67) Being someone who has to grow up in a constricting and condemning environment where you have no control over anything is rough. And sonny has felt that all his life from where he would live, what his job would be and on whether or not you see another day is something Sonny and his brother had to endure they just chose different ways to take control of their lives. Sonny feels this way when he plays his music but can also get the same feeling when taking drugs. The two things compliment one another well in this narrative. If sonny can’t play music he has to find some way to control his life. But music tears apart and repairs the brother’s relationship aw well. Sonny is having a talk with his brother and he tells him â€Å"when she was singing before, said Sonny, abru ptly, her voice reminded me for a minute of what heroin feels like sometimes – when its in your veins. It makes you feel sort of warm and cool at the same time (66). This passage is showing sonny trying his best to explain how it feels when he gets high. This quote is also being compared to music and how it makes him feel. Author John M. ReillyShow MoreRelatedSymbolism And Themes In Sonnys Blues By James Baldwin1958 Words   |  8 PagesWhile reading â€Å"Sonny’s Blues† by James Baldwin theme, symbolism, and motifs were discovered throughout the entire short story. Sonny one of the two main characters, is dealing with a drug addiction and is now following his dreams of becoming a jazz musician. The narrator, whose name was never given, does his best to keep the promise he made his mother years ago, to be his brother’s keeper. James Baldwin, an African American author, grew up in Harlem, New York. Baldwin had no one to share his loveRead MoreRacism In Sonnys Blues By James Baldwin993 Words   |  4 Pagesonly seems to be progressing into something that one simply cannot comprehend. In the short story â€Å"Sonny’s Blues,† the author, James Baldwin, emphasizes the lasting effect of racism throughout the story. While Baldwin vaguely expresses the impact of racial bias on the character Sonny, the audience infers the idea the author is trying to convey. In the story, racism is a significant factor of symbolism portrayed through the overall hometown setting, key events told throughout the story, and the overallRead MoreRacism In Sonnys Blues By James Baldwin935 Words   |  4 Pagesto be progressing into something that one simply cannot comprehend. In the short story â€Å"Sonny’s Blues,† the author, James Baldwin, emphasizes on the lasting effect of racism throughout the story. 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