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A Critical Analysis Of Sonny's Blues By James Baldwin

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Baldwin, James. “Sonny’s Blues”. San Jose State University, N.p., n.d., https://www.sjsu.edu/faculty/wooda/2B-HUM/Readings/Baldwin-Sonnys-Blues.pdf. Accessed on 20 March 2023. James Baldwin is a well-known author and the author of “Sonny’s Blues”. In the short story Mr. Baldwin writes about his own experiences throughout his childhood, adult life, and with his brother. When you look up James Baldwin, you discover that he was born and raised in Harlem, New York, African American, and he was born during the Harlem Renaissance movement. Baldwin mentions these key details within “Sonny’s Blues” because he has gone through what he mentions making him credible enough to write about these experiences. “Sonny’s Blues” is told by the narrator where …show more content…

Talsma is not that well-known but within her article you will spot she used reliable information from a doctor who is certified with an M.D and other scholarly articles. This authorizes readers and students to proceed since this establishes it is a trustworthy article. This article talks about the intake of pharmaceuticals for psychological and behavioral disorders has surged in the U.S. It is said this development can be accredited to improved public awareness of mental disorders and the advantages of drug therapy. Talsma pulls out statistics from Dr. Menzina, all throughout her article, and she says that since 2001, 1 out of 5 Americans have got a mental health disorder because of all the medications being put out there. Meaning she thinks drug therapy is good. Taslma states, “The increase in utilization of medications for psychological and behavioral disorders can be attributed to greater awareness among patients that mental health disorders are treatable and that available drug therapies are safe and effective, according to David Muzina, MD, a national practice leader of the Medco Neuroscience Therapeutic Resource Center. (1)” I plan to use this as my counterargument quote for my essay. Sure, mental health disorders can be treated with drugs but it’s not all and sure drug therapy can be safe but only for some mental disorders. “#YesMeansYes.” Degrassi: The Next Class, created by Linda Schuyler, Stephen Stohn, …show more content…

This particular episode is not based off a real story but it is based off what could happen in the real world. This show was created by Linda Schuyler, Stephen Stohn, Sarah Glinski, and Matt Huether. They aren’t completely credible because they are show writers and show writers typically like to dramatize things. Although the point of this source is to show how people could be compelled to do drugs, and why they would want to. Episode 3 of Season 1 is about Miles Hollingsworth who is one of the main characters and he grew up being verbally and physically abused by his father, which leads to mental health problems, and then to drug abuse. Miles has a physical fight with his father, where he was pushed against the wall, resulting in trauma. Miles is left with anxiety and panic attacks when his father is mentioned or around. Miles’s talks about this with his friend and a girl at Miles’s school overhears him talking about his family problems and she offers him lorazepam. She told him it would help him calm down when his father was around, but he was warned by a friend that the drug is very addictive. Unfortunately, Miles takes the drug right before he has his family dinner that his father also attends, to relieve a panic attack from ensuing. Miles’s only way to escape his reality, his suffering was by taking that drug because as he said, “…whenever he’s around me mom, I feel like I can’t breathe.” (Se 1 Ep ass03). I will use

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James Baldwin, the author of "Sonny's Blues", grew up in Harlem. Baldwin was also a spokesperson for the American Civil Rights movement and racial issues of his time and so he incorporated these issues into his writing. "Sonny's Blues" gives an African American perspective set in 1960s Harlem. Baldwin grew up listening to sermons and reading the Bible. At the age of seventeen he became disillusioned with religion and left the church.

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The short story “Sonny’s Blues” by James Baldwin is about a young man whom is struggling in life. The narrator, who is unnamed throughout the story, and Sonny’s older brother tells the readers in depth about his brothers battle. In the late 1900s during poverty and systematic oppression, many African Americans were subjected to one specific area in modern day known as Harlem. Not only is story about discrimination African Americans faced, it is about two brothers gaining a better understanding on each others lives. Baldwin demonstrates that acceptance over a family member’s decisions can strengthen the bond between two estranged brothers.

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James Baldwin's "Sonny's Blues" analyzes a very complex relationship between the narrator and his brother, Sonny. Before directing to the attention of the relationship between these two brothers, we have to first understand the personality of each character. Initially, the narrator has a stable job as a hardworking math teacher and makes an effort to assimilate himself to his surroundings, but has never comprehended his brother, Sonny. Sonny is the complete opposite of the narrator. Sonny separates from his brother to become a Blues musician, though becomes addicted to drugs, such as heroin, in order to control his own feelings.

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In “Sonny’s Blues,” James Baldwin wrote a different type coming of age story. At the end of the story the narrator finally develops a new understanding for his brother, and forgives him. The story’s narrator is a black algebra teacher, whose name is never revealed, who is living in Harlem, a New York City neighborhood. In the beginning of the story the narrator reads about his brother, Sonny, being busted with heroin in the newspaper.

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James Baldwin's "Sonny's Blues" is a powerful short story that delves into themes of identity, oppression, and the search for liberation. Set in Harlem, New York, during the mid-20th century, the story explores the lives of two African American brothers, Sonny and the unnamed narrator; as they navigate the complexities of their racial and cultural identities in a postcolonial context, focusing on the characters' struggles with identity formation and the oppressive structures that shape their lives. "Sonny's Blues" examines the process of identity formation in the face of cultural displacement and the erasure of African heritage. The unnamed narrator, reflecting on his childhood in Harlem, remarks, "I didn't want to believe that I'd ever see

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James Baldwin, Sonny's Blues Lesson: Read 1. How does Baldwin's real-life experience connect to his short story, "Sonny's Blues"? Read Baldwin's biography for more background on his life. - James Baldwin’s real-life experience connects to his short story by demonstrating that in the story his father had passed away when he was a young age. In real life, he didn’t even know his father.

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James Baldwin’s “Sonny’s Blues” is a short story depicting the relationship of two brothers, Sonny and an unnamed narrator. The story takes place in the project of Harlem, New York in the early 1950s. The narrator is a high school math teacher. His younger brother Sonny is a troubled musician struggling with his addiction to drugs. Before their mother dies, she asks the narrator promise to her he’ll look after his younger brother when she is gone.

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James Baldwin is a renowned author best known for his work of essays, books and short stories, particularly those which dwell deeply into important social and psychological issues of discrimination, gender inequality, homophobia and so on. One of Mr. Baldwin 's most appreciated literary works is the short story 'Sonny 's Blues ' which focuses on two brothers who grew up together but take different paths in life. The story follows the narrator learning about his brother Sonny 's incarceration due to the use and selling of drugs until his brother gets parole. Throughout the story, we learn about the relationship between the pair and are able to witness the narrators ultimate understanding of Sonny and his ambition. As we continue to observe the impressive short story, we find the most recurring theme to be that of sorrow.

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Sonny’s Blues by James Baldwin was a short story about the struggles of living in a tough, rundown neighborhood and looking to drugs as a way out. Baldwin’s intent on writing this piece focuses on pain and suffering. The author stresses that not everybody is born in the best circumstances. Sonny was one of those people who grew up in a rickety town where people often did not make it out successful.

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Throughout the story of “Sonny’s Blues”, James Baldwin develops a theme that can still be related with today. The misunderstanding and lack of knowledge that the narrator experiences, about his brother, is something that many today feel, as their own family members are being prosecuted and they do not comprehend why. Within the story, there are numerous subtle ideas that are used to progress the story and theme along to the ending that is given. James Baldwin advances the theme of his story, that misfortune and anguish can be renovated into a unique art form, using characterizations, settings, and symbolisms. One of the main literary devices that is used to express the theme is characterization.

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Jake Mercier College Reading and Writing 2040696 3/11/2023 Essay Title "From the Jazz Age to the Present: Exploring the Ongoing Struggles Faced by African Americans in Sonny's Blues and Modern Society" , two crucial components need to be taken into consideration: first, the analytical review of the written piece, and second, its connection to real-life issues. In James Baldwin's "Sonny's Blues," we witness the challenges a jazz musician faces while living in Harlem during the 1950s alongside his strained relationship with his brother. This write-up will delve deeper and explore how their hardships relate to modern-day struggles. Music plays a significant role in Sonny's life as it symbolizes artistry and creativity, highlighting society's need for varied cultures within communities.

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Sonny’s Blues In James Baldwin’s short work of fiction, Sonny’s Blues uses symbolism to interweave the darkness and light throughout the story. The light symbolizes the positive aspect of living life in Harlem while the contrasting darkness represents the negative aspect of Harlem life. Baldwin uses darkness and light to symbolize different aspects of the story and to also represent the characters highs and lows throughout their lives.

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His emotions deeply took him over all at once. When, Sonny received the letter from his brother in prison and responded his brother was impatiently waiting for him to be released. The letter had a profusion of significance and deep meaning to their relationship. Once a person becomes dependent on any substance, the only needs or feelings that they are concerned about are their own. It took Sonny to going to prison and rehabilitation to finally realize he hurt his family.

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In James Baldwin's short story, Sonny’s Blues, the reader should understand and visualize the historical context in order to understand the world being presented. The reader has to comprehend the harsh life of a male African-American who struggles with his dreams and drug addiction sometime around early 1957. I will discuss Baldwin's writing style, the life/value of an african american's life during this time, and the relationship between Sonny and his brother. Baldwin’s short story illustrates the hardships a person faces while searching for themselves in a world full of people or obstacles that stand in their way. Some of these obstacles are self inflicted, present from the beginning of their existence or appear as though they are random.

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"Sonny's Blues". 28 Feb 2018. swcta.net/moore/files/2012/02/sonnysblues.pdf Flibbert, Joseph. "Sonny's Blues: Overview." Reference Guide to Short Fiction, edited by Noelle Watson, St. James Press, 1994.

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