Themes: The Power of Music
When Sonny says that he wants to become a musician, the narrator is apprehensive. He tries to frame Sonny’s ambition in the most conventionally respectable terms he can, first asking if he plans to be a concert pianist and play classical music. When Sonny replies that he wants to play jazz, the narrator thinks this pursuit is beneath him, for it entails “hanging around nightclubs, clowning around on bandstands, while people pushed each other around a dance floor.” He knows that their parents would have disapproved. Even so, he tries to mitigate this reaction by referring to a well-known and established jazz musician, Louis Armstrong, whose music Sonny dismisses contemptuously as “old-time, down-home crap,” preferring the more contemporary style of Charlie Parker.
Sonny compares the effects of music to those of heroin. It makes him feel “warm and cool at the same time,” distant, sure, and in control. The narrator, Isabel and their families worry that becoming a musician will bring Sonny into louche, disreputable company, increasing the likelihood of his becoming a drug addict. They also worry that such an occupation would increase his contact with white people. Isabel’s mother is horrified to discover that he has been spending time with a group of musicians at a white girl’s apartment in Greenwich Village, a fact which shocks her more than his missing school.
Music, which is everywhere in the story—from juke boxes to revival meetings to the characters’ humming, whistling, and singing—is therefore seen by the narrator and the older generation as a seductive and dangerous force. In the final scene of the story, however, the redemptive and cathartic power of music comes to the fore. This change in perspective is signalled by an increasingly dense and poetic style of writing, in which the narrator describes the intense power of the music to evoke suffering, delight, and triumph. The two brothers have just had the most honest, profound conversation of their lives, one which, after many years of bitter arguments, has ended with understanding and acceptance. However, it is not talking, but music, which cements the wordless understanding that passes between them as the story ends. Baldwin’s literary style reflects this by abandoning cool realism in favor of lyrical expressiveness.
Expert Q&A
Music's Role and Significance in "Sonny's Blues"
In James Baldwin's "Sonny's Blues," music, particularly jazz and blues, is essential to understanding Sonny's life and struggles. For Sonny, music is a vital means of expression and coping with his inner turmoil. Jazz symbolizes his desire for freedom and creativity, while blues reflect his suffering. Despite conflicts, the narrator eventually realizes that Sonny's music offers liberation and a shared understanding of suffering. Music is a transformative force, bridging the gap between Sonny and his brother, and offering hope and freedom to both.
What does the nightclub scene in "Sonny's Blues" represent for Sonny and the narrator?
The nightclub represents a chance for the narrator to listen to Sonny for the first time and a chance for Sonny to make himself heard.
Music as a defining element and expressive force in "Sonny's Blues"
In "Sonny's Blues," music serves as a defining element and expressive force by providing Sonny with a means to communicate his emotions and cope with his struggles. Through jazz, Sonny finds a way to express his pain and connect with others on a deeper level, highlighting the power of music as a form of personal and communal expression.
How does "Sonny's Blues" support the statement about music being a saving language?
"I grew up with music, you know, much more than with any other language. In a way the music I grew up with saved my life."
In "Sonny's Blues," music is portrayed as a life-saving language through Sonny's journey as a jazz pianist who overcomes heroin addiction. The narrator, Sonny's brother, begins to understand the healing power of music after experiencing personal grief. Sonny's playing reveals the universal nature of suffering and its alleviation through music, offering salvation to both brothers. This aligns with the idea that music can be more impactful than any other language in saving lives.
What do we learn about Sonny's connection to music in "Sonny's Blues", particularly during his time with Isabel's family and the nightclub scene?
We learn that music is central to Sonny's life from various scenes, such as when he tries to communicate his love of music to his older brother, when he seems to enter another world when playing the piano at Isabel's, and when he communicates both lament and hope through his performance at the jazz club. It is both a way for him to escape pain and express what is inside his soul so that others can share and benefit from it.
What occurs in the jazz club in "Sonny's Blues" related to the brothers and Sonny's suffering?
In the jazz club, the brothers experience a pivotal moment as the older brother finally understands Sonny's perspective on suffering. Sonny believes that suffering can lead to personal growth if one can control it. During the performance, Sonny initially hesitates but eventually takes control of the music, symbolizing his ability to manage his suffering. This realization helps the brothers reconnect, with the older brother recognizing how the blues shields Sonny from overwhelming pain.
In "Sonny's Blues," is music Sonny's savior or his ultimate weakness?
In "Sonny's Blues," music serves both as Sonny's savior and his weakness. It isolates him from his family, contributing to his drug use, but also becomes a form of salvation. Through music, Sonny expresses his suffering and triumphs, offering a sense of light in the darkness. His brother's realization of Sonny's struggles and the transformative power of his music underscores its role as a savior in Sonny's life.
How does Sonny express his feelings through music in "Sonny's Blues"?
Sonny expresses his feelings through music by using his piano playing to convey his life story, both past and future. In "Sonny's Blues," music becomes a means for Sonny to express his struggles and emotions, transforming his suffering into an art form that speaks to his brother and the audience. The blues music allows Sonny to deal with his "blue devils," or overwhelming sadness, and find solace and triumph in his art.
Why does Sonny set down the cup of scotch while playing the piano in "Sonny's Blues"?
Sonny sets down the cup of scotch while playing the piano as a symbolic gesture in "Sonny's Blues." It represents the "cup of trembling," embodying the suffering and struggles Sonny has endured. This moment signifies Sonny's communion with his brother through music, as the narrator recognizes their shared experience and the transformative power of Sonny's blues. The drink becomes a symbol of their bond and Sonny's temporary liberation from his troubles.
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