Music And Emotions In Sonny's Blues By James Baldwin

“You can cage the singer, but not the song”. -Henry Belafonte. For Sonny that was his life story. In the narrative Sonny’s Blues by James Baldwin. Two brothers are fighting to have a brotherly connection. Sonny wants his brother to see that he is caged and the other wants his brother to feel protected. However, they did not come to a point of enlightenment until the music began to speak. Therefore, we must look at how music affects our emotions, our connection with history, and our relationship Throughout history, music has been that one element of culture we all have in common. It also has a huge impact on our emotions. For example; when Sonny was not playing music there was this feeling of darkness. He would isolate himself. It wasn’t

These songs were their way of speaking to each other and letting the other know that although we are caged now this will not last forever. One of the oldest known spirituals is “Amazing Grace.” One verse of the song says “Amazing grace How sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I’m found, was blind, but now I see.” This verse lets them know that the grace of God would save them from these oppressed times. Music provided them with motivation and courage to make a change to better their people as a whole. Although many African Americans were killed during that time their music still lives on. The mother in Sonny’s Blues tells the older brother about how his father's brother was an alcoholic and a musician who was killed by police. His mother wanted the brother to know that he must protect Sonny from himself and the world. This news was surprising because people always wondered where Sonny’s talent had evolved from. Therefore, just like the Negro spirituals that still connect African Americans today, Their father’s brother music and passion for it lived through Sonny and will eventually allow them to connect like their father and uncle did. Music has different impacts on our

Now we have to look at how it affects our relationships with others. Sonny’s Brother could not see that Sonny was crying out for help. Therefore he continued to bring him back to Harlem, which was the root of all these problems for him. Consequently, he and his brother could not see eye to eye and no one understood why he would separate himself. It wasn’t until he went to see his brother play that he noticed a difference in his brother. He began to understand that music was where he was comfortable and heard. While his brother played he felt his pain to the point where he began to remember the struggles in which he endured. Through music an understanding was gained and a relationship could now be built. The field of music is very diverse. People usually like to listen to music that talks about their struggles or what they want in life because it makes them feel connected and