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My Brother's Keeper?: Addiction And Renewal

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"Am I My Brother's Keeper?": Addiction and Renewal in Sonny's Blues

In James Baldwin’s short story, Sonny’s Blues, we see themes of fraternal love and music as expression and liberation. The Brother, the narrator and Sonny, the main focus of the story, has their family struggling with accepting Sonny as an addict, grown and independent man, and a hopeful cause. We see these ideas repeat several times throughout the story. For example, during the scene of the street revival, the Brother sees Sonny’s “slow, loping” walk like the hipsters and he finally recognizes Sonny’s soul being relaxed for once and starts to understand his brother’s autonomy.

Section 1. Understanding Sonny’s Blues

Sonny’s Blues is a deeply sorrowful and yet optimistic …show more content…

Independence, Addiction, and Affliction

When it comes to understanding those with mental health disorders, simply hearing them out is one of the best things one can do for them and that’s something Sonny was consistently denied in his life. The brothers were raised in a time of squalor and despair for the majority of Black people, much less the space for anyone to be properly understood beyond a lobotomy, asylum, or prison. Because of this, the Brother and Sonny both developed a great alienation and despair between each other, or as Mr. Duncan puts it, “Baldwin here uses Sonny, who as a musician is uniquely qualified to provide counterpoint, to reveal his brother's emotional deafness…”. (Duncan Learning to Listen to "Sonny's Blues") The Brother seems to prefer to isolate himself, simply keeping Sonny and his group at arm’s length while focusing on his own life. I believe that’s why he only really connects with Sonny after the death of his daughter, seeing how mortal and fragile life is.
The Brother eventually realizes Sonny has been crying for help and tries to connect through something permanent, not merely a high or a support just to get through tough times and they find that in music.

Section 3. “Am I my brother’s

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