James Baldwin's "Sonny's Blues"

Paper Summary:

This paper describes the plot and theme of Baldwin's story about a young black man trying to escape the poverty and hopelessness that is so much a part of life in Harlem.

From the Paper:

"In James Baldwin's short story Sonny's Blues we meet Sonny, an up and coming jazz pianist in Harlem, New York who is addicted to heroin. Growing up in hopeless poverty in Harlem leads Sonny to turn to heroin. Baldwin details Sonny's struggle with incarceration, poverty, and, reveals his battle with heroin addiction. Sonny's attempt to escape the ghetto through performing jazz music strains his relationship with his older brother, who is also the story's narrator. This factor is also relevant to Sonny's battle with heroin. Sonny's addiction eventually leads him to jail, following which he reunites with his estranged older brother. Sonny's drug abuse costs him his freedom and costs his family much emotional pain."

More papers on James Baldwin's "Sonny's Blues":

• Book Review # 145122 : "Influences into James Baldwin's "Sonny's Blues"
• Analytical Essay # 6585 : "James Baldwin and the Black Experience"
• Book Review # 61184 : "Narrator in James Baldwin's 'Sonny's Blues'"

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