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The Theme of Struggles of Addiction and The Power of Music in Sonny’s Blues
Introduction
It might seem that the relationship between drugs and the musicians in “Sony Blues” is synonymous. According to public opinion, drugs and musicians go hand in hand, and the narrator believes it. The possibility is that the passion for Sonny’s jazz music is one of the main reasons he abuses drugs. Jazz music and the passion that Sonny has for jazz music have been blamed for Sonny’s addiction to the drugs. After delving deeper into the theme of the story, Jazz music is beneficial not only to Sonny but also to other figures. The Music that sonny listens and drugs have nothing in common. According to Sonny, Jazz music is just a ray of light that leads him away from the dismal and dim future that Harlem offers.
In James Baldwin’s “Sonny’s Blues,” Sonny is in a problematic situation; he is involved in drug addiction and does not communicate with his brother. In Harlem, his hometown Sonny, sets himself in a dangerous atmosphere, making it impossible for him to escape. The addiction that Sony has caused his downfall and makes him lose the connection that he had with his brother. However, he can communicate through his Music. His brother finally realizes what Sonny had been suffering from the all-time.
Body
Music offers a platform for people to express their struggles. Sonny struggles with heroin addiction, which caused him to be jailed, and upon his release, he rekindles his love for the piano. The narrator was able to understand his brother’s struggles of addiction through Music. When the narrator saw his brother, Sonny, play for the first time, he watched his face; he could tell that he was troubled. “I just watched Sonny’s face. His face was troubled, he was working hard, but he wasn’t with it”. He felt that everyone was waiting and pushing him along for his addiction. Sonny was able to cope with his addiction because he used Music to express his feelings. He also received support from his fellow musicians, who motivated him to continue fighting.
It is clear that Music occupies a large part of the story, starting from the boxes of juke to the meeting of revival and the whistling, singing, and hamming of the characters. The older generation and the narrator sees it as a dangerous and seductive force. In the last story scene, the cathartic and redemptive power of Music is displayed to fore. The transformation in the way things are viewed is signaled by the increasing poetic and dense writing style. The narrator powerfully explains the power of Music to evoke triumph, delight, and suffering. The two brothers had the most profound and honest conversations about their lives. After a bitter argument in many years, it ended with acceptance and understanding in one of the conversations. However, the understanding is brought about by Music and not talking (Seghman).
Music revival helps in lifting hopelessness in people and offer relief in their distress. According to the story, at one point, when the Music stops, the barmaid also stopped. It has given her full attention that she stops and waits for the Music to start again. Music manipulates her, and she waits until it is back for its guidance. In other cases, we find that music comforts and soothes the soul where a mother is humming gently while Sonny is in the streets, the narrator, sonny’s brother, whistles to stay from crying when their reconciliation with Sonny failed. At first, the details might seem insignificant; however, they reveal that people lean on to Music for comfort when they feel despair or worry when critically analyzed. In this case, the addicts are able to find relief to their distress and hope. (Johansson).
In the story, the street revival is one of the most potent demonstrations of Music. Most people have had about these types of music revivals before. In this case, when the Music begins, everyone stops to watch and listen. The focusing eyes of people in Music seem to soothe poison out and time seems close to falling from sullen and buttered faces. Music also brings people from different walks of life together. It also offers a sense of ease and calm state, which is an assurance that something is available to help (Tackach).
Overview
It can be concluded that Music is the food of the soul and makes things to be much better. Through Music, the barmaid, Sony, and the others are given a chance to go back to where life was not dreadful. However, the trouble is to wait for them. They are given something that they can live for. In Sonny’s live Music is the only positive aspect band it was due to his environment and choices that he was arrested. It is through Music that he was able to leave the world behind. Throughout the story, Music only brings a positive influence on those who are watching, listening, or hearing.
At first view, the Power of Music in James Baldwin’s Sonny’s blues reveals the relationship between drugs and Music. After all, drugs and Jazz addiction are intertwined historically; the Sony jazz enthusiasm may be an excuse for his addiction and lifestyle, according to the narrator. It seems like it is dangerous for Sonny to get involved in the jazzy world since he will not come across drugs if he does not come across jazz music. Society today communicates an important social message. In this case, people understand each other better and attempt to discover their own identity.
Sonny does not only stress on the encouragement of Baldwin to the debate because of the black’s freedom but also offers aesthetic links up of his works in the genres of literature and a slam culture of black. Sonny also compares the impact of Music on the heroin as it makes him feel cool and warm at the same time sure, in control and distant. Many people worry that Music makes someone become a drug addict. In this case, most musicians are indeed tied in drug abuse, where they get involved in alcohol abuse and other drug abuse forms.
Work Cited
Goldman, Suzy Bernstein. “James Baldwin’s ‘Sonny’s Blues’: A Message in Music.” Negro American Literature Forum, vol. 8, no. 3, 1974, p. 231, 10.2307/3041461.
Seghman, Marek. “The” Music as therapy” trope in contemporary African American Rap music.” (2020).
Johansson, Marie Seljehaug. “An Investigation of Empathy in James Baldwin’s ‘Sonny’s Blues.’” Ninum.Uit.No, 15 Feb. 2019, ninum.uit.no/handle/10037/14993. Accessed 20 Oct. 2020.
Tackach, James. “The Biblical Foundation of James Baldwin’s ‘Sonny’s Blues.’” Renascence, 1 May, 2007, www.pdcnet.org/renascence/content/renascence_2007_0059_0002_0109_0118.