““Sonny’s Blues”Sonny’s Blues”By James Baldwin
OutlineOutline
I. BackgroundII. PlotIII. Socio-Historical Context
I. Growing up in HarlemII. Military ServiceIII. Jazz music, Class Divisions, Racial Politics
IV. Characters
James BaldwinJames Baldwin Born 1924 in Harlem Compared his stern
stepfather to Ishmael in Genesis◦ First, albeit illegitimate son
of Abraham◦ Forced to wander in the
wilderness after legitimate Isaac was born
Ishmael theme apparent in literature
Fled the segregated north for France
Wrote much about black struggles in America
Plot OverviewPlot Overview
First person, unnamed narrator◦Stable family man◦Algebra teacher, wife, two sons◦Lost Grace at age two◦Estranged from Sonny
Story switches from real time to flashbacks, including◦Story about uncle getting killed◦Sonny’s desire to drop out, lives with Isabel
Ends at the Jazz Club in Greenwich Village
Socio-Historical SettingSocio-Historical Setting
Growing up in Harlem◦Separate but equal◦Predominantly black
Harlem, father won’t move out.
◦Defacto segregation◦Narrator’s students.
Narrator begins to understand how such a child can go wrong.
Socio-Historical SettingSocio-Historical Setting
Military Service plays important role in the story.
Blacks have long history of serving in American military
Many hope service to country would prove worthy and gain respect from whites.
Jazz music, Class Divisions and Jazz music, Class Divisions and Racial PoliticsRacial Politics
Two black communities◦ Sonny’s vs. The narrators
Narrator’s community◦ Middle class◦ Downplay barriers to their success◦ Believe they can improve their standard of living by hard
work, determination.◦ Eventually assimilate into white America
Sonny’s community.◦ More radical, less accepting of status quo◦ Struggle against whites fierce◦ Feel they will always be shut out from privileges whites
enjoy.
Jazz music’s relationJazz music’s relation
Narrator’s world:◦Louis Armstrong
Sonny’s world◦Charlie Parker
The storyThe story
Is “Sonny’s Blues” a story:◦That moralizes against drug use?◦That tries to explain why people become
addicted to drugs?◦About a man’s struggle to kick a drug habit?◦About an artist’s struggle to kick a drug habit?◦About the effects of drug use on a family?◦About ways in which drug use and self-
expression can sometimes serve the same purpose?
The final sceneThe final scene
What happens to the brothers at the jazz club?