Lauren McGregor
Integrated Seminar 1
Memory Section 06
09/17/13
The short story “Sonny’s Blues,” written by James Baldwin, introduces themes of
brotherly love and the communication between brothers Sonny and the unnamed narrator,
the older brother. The idea of brotherly love is revealed within the first paragraph of the
story as the narrator displays his love for his brother Sonny by stating he was “…scared
for Sonny,” after reading about Sonny in the newspaper. As the narrator exposes his
worry for his brother, the reader realizes the strong brotherly bond the narrator has for
Sonny. Another example, which emphasizes the theme of brotherly love, is the fact the
narrator wanted Sonny to finish school before going into the army despite Sonny’s
unwillingness to attend school. As an older brother, the narrator shows his care and
concern for Sonny by encouraging Sonny to finish school first before joining the army.
Baldwin also explores the theme of communication between brothers as seen through the
narrator and Sonny. In the beginning of the story, the reader discovers the lack of
communication between brothers as the narrator stumbles upon Sonny being arrested in
the newspaper. The lack of communication emphasizes the strain in the brother’s
relationship as the reader learns the narrator never wrote Sonny during his time in jail.
But their connection grew stronger when Sonny took the first steps to repair the
relationship with his brother by writing a letter. The letter compelled the brother to stay in
“constant contact” with Sonny.
In this story, Baldwin uses the images of music and light and darkness that relate
to the senses of hearing and sight. Sonny relates to jazz because music acts a pathway for
an escape from the troubles he has and the reader feels his passion for jazz. James
Baldwin uses the sense of hearing to set the tone of the story as Sonny sees music as form
of relief and strength. The sense of sight relates to light and darkness in the story by
comparing the light of music found within Sonny after Sonny’s experience of being
surrounded by the darkness of drugs. The light acts as a visualization of a transformation
of light in Sonny as a child. Then as the darkness set into Sonny’s life he went to a
isolated state but as relationships flourished so did the light in Sonny towards the end of
the story.
After reading this story, I began to feel the connection to my own experience with
my siblings and family. I can relate to Sonny because I have step-siblings who I’ve
known since birth, who show their love and encouragement for me even when life is
difficult. Since I came from a broken family with parents being re-married multiple times
and having gone through dark moments, I can associate with feelings Sonny felt in the
story during times of resentment and anger. By my mother’s remarrying, I gained the
support system which continues to help me through my own struggles as well as being
able to return the support to them.
Reading this story, I have realized the impact of sibling love and the significance
of communication within a relationship. The importance of communication is crucial
because one can discover the light that is within a person instead of not communicating
and finding darkness or hurt within a person.