Analysis of James Baldwin’s Short Story

[@thattimestampguy]

0:09 1950's Harlem - Danger of housing projects, Inner City Ghetto - Drugs, Crime, Prostitution, Homelessness --> Helplessness Jazz Music connects the struggle Narrator & Sonny Narrator educates himself, still lives in The Projects - Logical, but Cold - Emotional between anger and sorrow + Learns to understand Sonny 2:15 Heroin --> First Escape Music --> Second Escape Empathy Struggle With The Despair Shares Sorrow, Provide Temporary Salvation Drink The Cup of Trembling, Take Your Forgiveness 4:08 Conflict: + Jazz Music is good 5:07 Dealing With The Pain of Racism Looking Out For Your Brother 6:57 Darkness & Light Light = Hope Joy/Saddness 8:14 Louis Armstrong - Mellow, Controlled, Accepted, Respected Charlie Byrd Parker - Fast-Paced, Complex, Un-Accepted, Noise 8:51 Post-Modern

[@OxysLokiMoros]

How would you compare the life and character of sonny and James Baldwin? What do they have in commen and what is different?

[@Tony-tn2dj]

Thank you, Suzanne, for your commentary. It was excellent and a big help. You put a lot of work into doing this, and I'm thankful because you helped prepare me for my composition class coming up.

[@MichaelToussaint1]

Terrific analysis!

[@indomitableindra8769]

Well analysed.

[@QueenOpp713]

Thank you for this analysis!

[@denetsantana8789]

Great analysis.

[@hardikpatel8371]

Nicely explained thanks!

[@kylawilson7830]

I did not even consider the imagery in this story

[@rodwillis4080]

I strongly disagree, and I am sure that Baldwin would, too, that there is "not one clear meaning or lesson in this story". There are many meanings and lessons in this story; too numerous to name. "Sonny's Blues" is intended for Black readers who know the inner-workings of urban communities. This analysis is another example of how Black lives are marginalized by non Black readers.

[@musicsavage4456]

your comment literally made no sense. Since there is not a single, exclusive, clear meaning denotes that there are many meanings. And yes... this analysis screams black marginalization... the comment above, folks, is an example of racism

[@OxysLokiMoros]

How would you compare the life and character of sonny and James Baldwin? What do they have in commen and what is different?

[@rodwillis4080]

@@OxysLokiMoros Because I met Baldwin and talked to him when I was in high school. He died two years later.

[@OxysLokiMoros]

@@rodwillis4080 But how?

You strongly disagree that there is "not one clear meaning or lesson in this story". Your argument against it is that there are many meanings and lessons in this story. That's exactly was the thesis proposes. So you literally confirm that there is "not one clear meaning or lesson in this story". There are many. Q.e.d.

[@mr555harv]

A liberal rant. Blames on others not self.

[@nicknavarro6983]

Kinda boring