Suffering in “Sonny’s Blues”
Introduction
Sonny, a heroin addict, who has served time in prison, has been living with his brother, the narrator, who is an Algebra teacher. Despite the challenges Sonny has gone through, there visit a Greenwich nightclub towards the end of the story shows the importance of music in Sonny’s life. As he sings, rather movingly, the narrator can finally understand his brother’s experiences. It is from this part of the “Sonny Blues” story that the theme of suffering is clearly explained. We can see the problems it has caused to both Sonny and the narrator is evident. This essay, will, therefore, examine the problem of suffering and how it impacts the lives, behaviors, thoughts and social tendencies of these two significant characters
Suffering in “Sonny’s Blues”
Suffering is probably the central theme of the story. As Sonny sings, the narrator remembers his daughter’s death and the problems Sonny has experienced as an addict. From Sonny’s songs, the reader is also given an insight into the difficulties they faced growing up in Harlem. The severity of the situation is evident when, at one point in the story, Sonny makes a passionate argument claiming that their suffering is inescapable.
This theme has significantly affected the behaviors of other characters in the story. For example, it is clear to see the impact of the narrator’s suffering in his pragmatic practice. Although he tries to hide or block his past problems, he can not escape from the ‘dark’ feelings and callousness they have brought in his view of life. He has a negative outlook of his students and imagines them using heroin in between classes or in bathrooms. When he sees them laughing, he claims that that was not ‘joyous laughter.’ He is convinced that most of them are heroin addicts like his brother. For him, childhood, especially in Harlem, has no joy.
Suffering, despite the pain it has caused in the lives of Sonny and the narrator, is still crucial to both the presentation of redemption and salvation. Sonny’s music is directly connected to the ‘dark’ experiences he has encountered both as a prisoner and a heroin addict. From this, the reader feels compassion for Sonny creating a feeling of redemption. Similarly, it is not until the narrator’s daughter dies when he is reminded of the suffering they have endured with his brother, Sonny. Eventually, these feelings and the chance to reconnect with Sonny lead him to salvation.
Throughout the story, Sonny struggles to be heard even by his brother. However, with the help of his music, he can finally ‘have a deep conversation’ with the narrator and vividly express his troubles. This jarring type of music, which baffles different characters in the story like Isabel, is Sonny’s only means of self-discovery and communication. In these closing stages of the story, his brother describes him by saying that, “Sonny was at that piano playing for his life.” From this, we can see that music was Sonny’s only path to salvation, and he uses it to not only talk to others but also to understand himself.
Lastly, there is suffering through anger and resentment, as seen through Sonny’s singing. Although he is quite moving and passionate, the music somewhat reflects the bitterness in their community. Throughout Sonny’s and the narrator’s childhood, they have faced painful and oppressive situations that drove them away from each other. Furthermore, many people in their community, including their parents, lived angry and bitter lives. Besides, at one point, the narrator describes their neighborhood as some ‘boiling sea.’
Conclusion
As you read the story, “Sonny Blues,” suffering is the most critical communion element. It tries, the African American Community, families, and the larger world altogether. Towards the end of the story, the narrator is ‘forced’ to suffer as he listens to Sonny sing about all the challenges he has gone through. His music is personal as well as universal, touching on Sonny’s history and the Harlem community.
