James Baldwin's "Sonny's Blues"
Moments of realization are one of the themes of the short story "Sonny's Blues" by James Baldwin. The narrator of this story is able to learn about his brother as well as himself through his relationship with Sonny. Baldwin allows the narrator to gain an understanding of his brother as he reflects on the differences between them. This paper will examine how the narrator comes to recognize and begins to respect Sonny for the person her has become.

In the beginning of the story, we are introduced to Sonny as a young man who was arrested for selling heroin. e also know that the narrator is not close to Sonny -- in fact, it had been seven years since he had seen him. His way of dealing with his brother was keeping it outside of himself for a long time. (Baldwin 22) The narrator admits that his brother…...

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Work Cited

Baldwin, James. "Sonny's Blues." The Norton Anthology of Short Fiction R.V. Cassill, ed. W.

W. Norton and Company. New York: 1981.

James Baldwin Wrote Freedom, Justice, Democracy
The Merriam Webster dictionary defines freedom as "the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action." Justice is the "conformity to truth, fact, or reason." Democracy is a government where the "supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held elections." I understand the literal context of these words but I don't believe I can truly comprehend the aforementioned concepts without truly experiencing them.

Freedom, in my eyes, is being able to do what I want without harming anybody, and just not being tied to anything. Unfortunately, I don't believe it really exists because I'm always going to be shackled to something, for example, society's demand of me to be productive. As well, I'm always going to have responsibilities like going to school if I don't want to, working a…...

James aldwin grew up a neglected child. He was a black man in a white man's world -- gay man who was trying to make his mark in the world of literature. "You write of your experiences," James aldwin once said. James aldwin wrote to overcome the barriers in his life.
To better understand the thematic importance of Paris and the room in this book, we need to begin with the author. aldwin, who was born at Harlem Hospital to an unmarried, 20-year-old woman, was teased as a child because he was small and effeminate. When he was three, his mother married David aldwin, a laborer and aptist preacher who was often violent and abusive to his family. At age 24, James aldwin was scared and unhappy about the way blacks were treated in America. He had only $40 in his pocket, but he escaped to Paris where he did much…...

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Bibliography

Gates, Henry Louis Jr. "An Interview with Josephine Baker and James Baldwin" in James Baldwin: the Legacy ed. Quincey Troupe. (New York, NY: Simon & Schuster, Touchstone) 1989.

Goldstein Richard. "Go the Way Your Blood Beats': An Interview With James Baldwin" in James Baldwin: the Legacy ed. Quincey Troupe. (New York, NY: Simon & Schuster, Touchstone) 1989.

Adams, Stephen. "Giovanni's Room: The Homosexual as Hero" in James Baldwin ed.

Irving Howe, "Black Boys and Native Sons," Fall, 1963

ith music, Sonny can express his pain without tripping up on words. Music becomes a flow of pure emotion, therefore leaving him satisfied with his mode of transmitting his emotions to an audience. Therefore, Sonny is allowed the chance at redemption for his past sins as an addict and criminal, (Tackach 113). He once was lost, but returns to his family to bring substance back into his brother's life. hen Sonny does return back into the good graces of the narrator, he never blames him for anything or reminds him of his broken promise to their mother to watch over Sonny.
And so, the narrator himself becomes the burden for not watching over his brother, as he had promised. This becomes part of his pain and anguish over his life, (Tackach 114). As the narrator once again gets to know his brother, he becomes intrigued with the idea of music…...

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Works Cited

Baldwin, James. "Sonny's Blues." Sonny's Blues. Klett Publishing 1995.

Byerman, Keith E. "Words and Music: Narrative Ambiguity in 'Sonny's Blues.'" Studies in Short Fiction. EBSCO Publishing. 2002.

Murray, Donald C. "James Baldwin's 'Sonny's Blues': Complicated and Simple."

Studies in Short Fiction. EBSCO Publishing. 2002.

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…...

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Works cited:

Baldwin, James, "Sonny's blues and other stories," Penguin, 1995.

Sexuality, Discord, And Love in James Baldwin's Another Country
James Baldwin is most well-known for his ability to blend the ideas of sexuality and race and place them in a contemporary context. One of the best examples of his ability is the novel, Another Country. Baldwin illustrates the New York City underworld, and the relationships between its members. Most importantly, Baldwin addresses the idea of bisexuality, both literally and metaphorically. He uses the suicide death of a character to explore the personalities of those close to the individual.

e, the readers, are introduced to relationships between a variety of different people. There are people of different races, creeds, social backgrounds, and lifestyles. Yet they all have many of the same tendencies regarding sex. Baldwin also explores the biases and prejudices of society, and how they are incorporated into the interracial relationships portrayed by the novel. Most importantly, Baldwin allows the reader to…...

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Works Cited

Baldwin, James. Another Country. New York; Dial Press. 1962.

Character in Giovanni's Room.
Personal values are thought to be a combination of experience and belief, or the mixture of what a person has come to believe through what they have learned and what they may have experienced. hen the inner belief system and the experiences of the world are in conflict the person often is found to be in a state of confusion or ennui. "Deeply held values -- core values -- anchor every literary character's (and individual's) view of the world and the self. hen core values come under attack, a character feels a compelling conflict and seeks to reduce the threat.... Understanding core values is the key to understanding character, which, in turn, leads to understanding conflict, plot, and the underlying design of a narrative" (Mckenna and Raabe 203). James Baldwin, in his book, Giovanni's Room, depicts a young man in conflict. Alienated from his own culture,…...

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Works Cited

Baldwin, James. Giovanni's Room. 1956. New York: Laurel Books, 1988.

Bigsby, C.W.E. "The Divided Mind of James Baldwin." The Second Black Renaissance: Essays in Black Literature. Westport: Greenwood Press, 1980.

Brown, Richard Harvey. "Cultural representation and ideological domination." Social Forces, (1993): March, 657-677.

Capozzola, Christopher. "Beauford Delaney and the art of exile." The Gay & Lesbian Review Worldwide, (2003): Sept-Oct, 10-13.

Stranger in the Village
In writing that the American vision of the world still tends today to paint moral issues in glaring black-and-white, James aldwin refers to both America's perception of the American Negro as an inferior race adjunct and its own superiority in the world. It is primarily a cry against racial discrimination.

lack refers to the American Negroes and white refers to white men, the Americans. These Americans were originally discontented Europeans (aldwin 1955) who came to the New World - which later became the North American continent - and found the lacks there. These original settlers believed that they were morally destined to conquer this vast and great Continent and, out of necessity, had to reconcile the fact of lack slavery as part of that moral assumption of superiority, conquest and destiny. It has been more than 300 years since at Jamestown and the Negro has remained a slave,…...

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Bibliography

Baldwin, James. Stranger in the Village. Notes of a Native Son.

Beacon Press, 1955

Langston Hughes and James Baldwin Compare/Contrast
Music plays a major role in much of the literature that came out of the Harlem Renaissance. The Harlem Renaissance was an American cultural movement that aimed to celebrate African-American culture through literature, art, and other intellectual and artistic means. One of the musical styles that was influential in literary works of Langston Hughes and James Baldwin was the blues. This musical style rose out of the experiences of African-Americans; the Harlem Renaissance sought to celebrate these experiences by juxtaposing the struggles of past generations with the struggle of present generations. In "The eary Blues" by Langston Hughes, a narrator observes an old blues musician as he sings his weary tune. In "Sonny's Blues" by James Baldwin, the narrator finally comes to understand what has motivated his brother to pursue a life in music and how his brother's experiences have been highly influential in the…...

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Works Cited

Baldwin, James. "Sonny's Blues." from Moscardi English 125. Web. 28 June 2012.

Hughes, Langston. "The Weary Blues." Web. 28 June 2012.

"Langston Hughes." Poets.org. Web. 28 June 2012.

Reilly, John M. " "Sonny's Blues": James Baldwin's Image of Black Community." Negro

Throughout these essays he weaves the larger political events of the day. Well aware that lack soldiers made important contributions in World War II, he notes that the armed forces were strongly segregated. He notes that Italy is fighting a war in Ethiopia, and sees, perhaps correctly, racial issues there.

It is clear that aldwin's intended audience is fellow lacks. For instance, the essay "Journey to Atlanta" opens with the sentence, "The Progressive Party has not, so far as I can gather, made any great impression in Harlem..." (p. 73). What Progressive Party? Who are they, and what do they stand for? aldwin assumes the reader already knows the basics. His point is that lacks had been disenfranchised from any effective political influence for so long that many were indifferent to all politics, even when those practicing them might have been looking to assist them in some way. aldwin pointed out…...

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Baldwin describes race relations that most of us would not recognize today, and the reader has to remember that Baldwin himself judged people individually, or he would not have had Sol Stein as a close friend. He describes the "White world" as greedy, complacent too ready with gratuitous humiliation" (p. 112). While one might make a case for the first two, the great majority of White Americans today would find gratuitous humiliation toward anyone of any other race disgusting and repellant behavior. Today, White supremicist groups are viewed as part of the lunatic fringe. Some things have changed significantly since Baldwin wrote the essays in this book.

Throughout Notes of a Native Son, Baldwin gives examples of self-sabotage. His father does not want James' teacher to come visit them in their home, saying that a White teacher couldn't possibly have any real interest in him. His father dies during the terrible riots in Harlem of 1943, and Baldwin notes that the destruction and mayhem end at the borders of Harlem even though it would have been simple to vent the anger on non-Black areas as well. He doesn't state the obvious reason -- that those in power at the time tolerated Blacks destroying their own neighborhoods but that the response would have been terrible if they had attacked White neighborhoods as well. They could only take their rage out on themselves.

Notes of a Native Son is a book that should be read by all people of all colors, because it has only been fifty years since Baldwin wrote these words. All people in the United States need to understand the very real wrongs we have attempted to right with the various civil rights laws. As a country we should recognize just how easily we slipped into racism and just how hard it was to start to dig ourselves out.

"The Story of an Hour" by Kate Chopin shows how women's personal liberty may be subjugated to and circumscribed by the wills of their husband. Mrs. Mallard considers herself to be liberated from this influence when her husband has been mistakenly proclaimed dead; excited at the opportunity to be able to live her life for herself, instead of acquiescing to him, she dies upon discovering that he is still very much alive.

"Barbie Doll" is a poem by Marge Piercy that details how frustrating it can be for women to consistently be trapped in stereotypical roles of demure, pretty ladies all the time. This poem details how those expectations begin early on in life, and can eventually force a woman to take drastic action (including plastic surgery which is alluded to in the poem) to fit into such a mold.

Langston Hughes' "Theme for English B" showcases the differences African-Americans face in…...

bored, personal insights, pleasure, or disapproval, and some thoughts about possible directions for research in the field of African-American literature. Baldwin's first novel is a classic coming of age novel set in New York during the Harlem enaissance. eading "Go Tell it on the Mountain" gives the reader insight on what it is like to be Black in America, and what it is like to rebel and search for yourself in Black society.
Baldwin's story is moving and memorable, and it follows the story of the young protagonist, John, with pathos and understanding. Clearly, Baldwin had experienced what he wrote about, and he understood the longings and worries that plagued a fourteen-year-old growing up in Harlem in 1935. John wants desperately to please his father, as most young people do, but the barrier between them is far too big for John to understand or identify. It is quite easy to…...

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References

Baldwin, James. Go Tell It on the Mountain. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1953.

Furthermore, when his little brother starts playing the piano and gradually produces better music the narrator and all of the people in the club are captivated, making it obvious that Sonny believed that his passion could surpass heroin in putting his suffering behind.
The devastating news that the narrator's uncle was murdered has a somewhat beneficial effect on the narrator, given that he takes on the role of caring for himself and the rest of the family. Suffering and the diverse methods through which it can be subdued is the main theme of the short story. The suffering produced by the fact that society rejects him influences Sonny's passion for playing the piano. The drug bust makes the narrator aware that he does not know Sonny and that his brother is completely alone, inducing a feeling of remorse. Later on, with the narrator's daughter, Gracie, dying because of polio, the…...

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Works cited:

Baldwin, James. (1965). Going to Meet the Man -- "Sonny's Blues." Dial Press.

For most of the story the setting surrounded the narrator and his life. It was his house, his family, and his experiences that made up the majority of the story. However, after the narrator reconciles with Sonny and he is invited to be part of the narrator's life, the setting of the story changes to Sonny and that which surrounds his life; particularly his music. The narrator and Sonny visit a blues club where Sonny, after nearly a year without touching a piano, gets up on stage with the band and begins to play. Only at the end of the story, when Sonny is playing on stage, does his brother, and the readers, understand that music is Sonny's outlet for his emotional pain. All the pain of life that he has endured from a lifetime of drug abuse is released through his music. Sonny and his music become the…...

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Works Cited

Baldwin, James. Sonny's Blues. 1957.

It seems like so many lives are wasted, and it does not really have to be that way at all.
This story is really well written and compelling. The reader really feels like they know and understand these two characters by the end of the story, and it also made me think about all the elements that go into good fiction. Each of these stories is different, even though they do have commonalities in themes and ideas, but each story has a different style, and that shows me how unique we all are, and how we all have a different voice and a different way of looking at things. All these stories made me think, and they made me appreciate the differences in writing, and discover I appreciate them all.

eferences

The Bedford Anthology of World Literature: The Twentieth Century, 1900-the Present. New York: Bedford/St. Martins, 2003....

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References

The Bedford Anthology of World Literature: The Twentieth Century, 1900-the Present. New York: Bedford/St. Martins, 2003.

Here are a few options for essay books based on the description you provided:

1. "The Souls of Black Folk" by W.E.B. Du Bois - This book is a classic work of historical essays that addresses race relations in the United States during the early 20th century.

2. "The Believing Brain: From Ghosts and Gods to Politics and Conspiracies - How We Construct Beliefs and Reinforce Them as Truths" by Michael Shermer - This book is research-based and examines the psychology behind belief systems and how they shape our views of the world.

3. "The Argument Culture: Moving from Debate to Dialogue" by....

Here are some essay books to consider based on different themes:

1. "The Case for Reparations" by Ta-Nehisi Coates - a persuasive essay arguing for reparations for African Americans for centuries of slavery and discrimination.

2. "The Souls of Black Folk" by W.E.B. Du Bois - a historical essay collection exploring the experiences of African Americans in the United States post-Civil War.

3. "Bad Feminist" by Roxane Gay - a collection of essays that are both personal and critical, exploring the complexities of modern feminism.

4. "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot - a research-based essay exploring the ethical implications of....

1."The experiences we have as individuals shape our perspectives on the world." - James Baldwin

2."Social location is a powerful determinant of our opportunities and outcomes in life." - Kimberlé Crenshaw

3."Our social locations are like filters through which we interpret the world." - Patricia Hill Collins

4."The way we are positioned in society can have a profound impact on our ability to succeed." - bell hooks

5."Social location is not a fixed category, but rather a fluid and changing set of circumstances that can impact our lives in different ways at different times." -....