Baldwin emphasizes the theme of opposition between the chaotic world and the human need for community with a series of opposing images, especially darkness and light. The narrator repeatedly associates light with the desire to articulate or give form to the needs and passions that arise out of inner darkness. He also opposes light as an idea of order to darkness in the world, the chaos that adults endure, but of which they normally cannot speak to children.

The opposition of light and darkness is often paired with the opposition of inside and outside. Sonny’s problem as an artist is that inside himself he feels intensely the storm of human passion; to feel whole and free, he must bring this storm outside by gaining artistic control over it, by articulating it for some listener. Inside is also the location of the family, the place of order that is opposed to outside, the dark and predatory world.

These and other opposing images help to articulate Baldwin’s themes of opposition between the meaningless world and the meaning-creating community. The artist, by giving voice to the inner chaos of needs and passions, unites humankind in the face of the outer chaos of random and continuous suffering. The artist helps to create a circle of light in the midst of surrounding darkness.

Narration and Point of View

"Sonny's Blues" explores the bond between two brothers at different stages of their lives. Baldwin structures the narrative to illustrate the evolving understanding between them. The story is narrated by Sonny's brother, whose name is never revealed. While the plot focuses on Sonny's experiences, the inclusion of the narrator's reactions and emotions towards Sonny's actions expands the narrative to encompass the brother's life as well. Baldwin employs this dual perspective to highlight one of the story's central themes: the developing comprehension between separated siblings.

Setting

The narrative takes place in New York City, with a segment where Sonny writes from his prison cell upstate. Baldwin shifts the timeline of the story, blending different periods with minimal distinction or clear demarcation. This technique creates a sense of continuity. The narrator recounts significant events in Sonny's life as if they occurred simultaneously. The shared themes of suffering, hardship, and alienation emphasize the persistent nature of Sonny's struggles. Baldwin organizes the events thematically rather than chronologically to underscore their meaning, rather than their order or cause-and-effect relationships.

Catharsis

In literature, "catharsis" refers to the release of emotions for the audience at the conclusion of a story. In "Sonny's Blues," the cathartic moment happens in the jazz club, where both Sonny's brother and the reader witness Sonny temporarily transcending his troubles through his music. The story's rising tension lies in the gradual understanding of Sonny and his burdens by both the narrator and the reader. Baldwin provides catharsis by showing Sonny finding a way to alleviate his suffering. Additionally, the reader observes Sonny's own catharsis as he channels his pain into his music.

Throughout much of the story, Baldwin adheres to the conventions of social realism. However, the narrative takes a dramatic turn in the final scene at the jazz club. As the narrator attempts to articulate the profound impact the music has on him, the language becomes more vivid, the metaphors grow more intricate, and the descriptions become more elusive.

Sonny himself could not narrate his own story with such depth: by presenting Sonny's life through another's perspective, Baldwin avoids the pitfalls of self-pity and sentimental indignation. Additionally, the reader can see that while the story focuses on Sonny and his transformation, the narrator also undergoes significant changes as he comes to accept Sonny's chosen path.

Crucially, Baldwin disrupts the chronological order of Sonny's story. The narrative begins with news of Sonny's arrest, then moves forward to Grace's death and Sonny's release, before moving backward to depict Sonny's descent into addiction and the deaths of their uncle and mother, finally concluding at the nightclub scene. By presenting events out of sequence, Baldwin underscores the importance of actively reclaiming the past and reconstructing one's own history.

Despite focusing on a single central character, "Sonny's Blues" raises a surprisingly broad array of questions about its structure and themes.

1. Music, particularly the history of African American music, plays a significant role in this story. While Sonny is a jazz musician, the title also alludes to the blues genre. The narrative begins with the narrator hearing R&B music through an open barroom door, and later, he and Sonny pause to listen to a gospel revival on a street corner. One might explore the connections between these musical styles and their relevance to the African American experience.

2. The story of Sonny is not presented in a straightforward, chronological order. It starts with his arrest and unfolds through a series of flashbacks, culminating in the present with Sonny's performance. Why would Baldwin choose to disrupt the timeline in this way? How would the story's impact change if Baldwin had started with the death of the brothers' uncle? What might Baldwin be suggesting about the complexities of conveying history and clear historical narratives?

3. The account of Grace, the narrator's daughter who succumbs to polio, is brief but pivotal to the themes of suffering, innocence, and guilt. How does her death affect the narrator's relationship with Sonny?

4. The conclusion hints that Sonny may have overcome his drug issues, but this is never explicitly stated. Should we assume that Sonny's troubles are behind him? Or is there a possibility he might relapse into his former life? Why might Baldwin choose to leave this aspect ambiguous?

5. Although Baldwin's story is set in a specific time and place, to what extent does it resonate across different historical periods? Many of the issues he addresses remain prevalent in urban communities today, and music is still viewed by many as a "ticket to freedom." Can you envision a modern retelling of this story? What would it look like?

6. How would the story change if it were narrated by Sonny instead of his brother? What insights would be gained or lost by shifting the perspective in this way?

7. Baldwin suggests that many people turn to drugs as an escape from a painful reality. However, he also describes music, and the reason for playing music, in similar terms. In what ways are these forms of escape alike? How do they differ?