James Baldwin\'s Sonny\'s Blues Applying Historcal Criticism

¶ … James Baldwin's Sonny's Blues applying historcal criticism method. To begin developing thesis, helpful review sections chapter Critical Theory Today list "Some questions…critics literary texts.

James Baldwin's 1957 short story "Sonny's Blues" deals with elements in the life of an African-American family during several moments in their lives as they try to cope with the difficult conditions at the beginning of the second half of the twentieth century. Baldwin concentrates on the 1950s as being an essential time for African-Americans because of the emancipation that they experience across this period. In spite of the fact that Baldwin essentially puts across a figment of his imagination, the overall background and actions in the story can be associated with real-life events. Through employing the historical critical method, readers are likely to gain a better comprehension of the text and to be enabled to link it to the turbulent conditions present in Harlem at the half of the century.

Being acquainted with the historical context of Baldwin's text and with the condition of black people in the U.S. during the 1950s makes it easier for readers to understand the writing. Also, it is very probable that Baldwin wrote the story with the intention to address individuals who lived contemporary to him, as he believed that they will be influenced by the message that it is meant to convey. Although his text emerged in an era when discrimination dominated the American society, Baldwin wanted to discuss an earlier period. "Sonny's Blues" takes place consequent to the Second World War during a period when the U.S. experienced great change as a result of its involvement in the conflict and because African-Americans have begun to get actively involved in changing society.

New York was rapidly turning into a cultural capital during the 1950s as artists from all over the world gathered there to put their talents into practice. Greenwich Village, the place where Sonny retreated to reinforce his powers, was an especially important location in the revolution. One could almost claim that the place was the artistic center of New York, given that it drew a diverse assortment of artists. The end of the war provided them with the opportunity to adopt unique personalities related to freedom and autonomy. They influenced each-other greatly, making it possible for a strong subculture to evolve rapidly from Greenwich Village. The facts that they each came from a particular background and that they each had different styles of thinking did not stop them from acknowledging real talent or from promoting art as a whole. Baldwin presents the character of Sonny as being representative for the beatnik community in Greenwich Village. He experienced great suffering as a result of being discriminated and because his relationship with his family had deteriorated significantly. The writer actually emphasizes one of the most beneficial effects that music has on Sonny, as it is apparently the reason for which Sonny continues to want to live, even with the fact that his brother initially has trouble understanding this.

Through considering the historical critical method, one is able to comprehend that Baldwin was severely affected by his experiences consequent to the Second World War. His experiences as a African-American individual in a society that was changing, but that continued to maintain some of its discriminatory attitudes were essential in shaping his personality. The writer did not just want society to become acquainted with the experiences of a black individual in the U.S., as he intended his texts to influence the general public in acknowledging the wrongness in discriminating. He was aware that by describing the inequality present in the American society he would successfully have people recognize that it is wrong for them to discriminate.

It is very probable that Baldwin's story was owed to the fact that post-war African-Americans came across a hostile environment. Despite their participation in the conflict, they received little to no compensation for their contribution as they continued to be discriminated by a society dominated by white people. Communities like Harlem came to be filled by black people as they considered that it provided them with the opportunity to pursue their dreams. Instead, most of them were ignored in spite of their determination to be an active part of the American society. Sonny's brother, the narrator, perfectly exemplifies this through the fact that he fails to acknowledge his delicate position. In contrast, Sonny appears to be perfectly aware of his situation and finds shelter in drugs and in Jazz music. This makes it possible for readers to understand the impact that Jazz music has had on the African-American community consequent to the Second World War.