Sonny's Blues

The use of music, drugs, and culture has always been a prominent part of modern day and past historical culture, interacting on various levels of either conflict or harmony. This theory is demonstrated in the Famous novella by James Baldwin entitled Sonny’s Blues. This intriguing novella is a prime example of a story that deals with African American oppression present in the 1950s. The text embodies the vivid idea that listening will lead to ones freedom. “Freedom lurked around us and I understood, at last, that he could help us to be free if we would listen” (Baldwin 90). This reoccurring theme present in Sonny’s Blues is proven through the use of family relationships and meaningful symbols.

Throughout this novella, Sonny’s brother works towards the goal of rekindling his relationship with Sonny, in order to set him free of his drug abuse. He makes the claim “But there’s no need…is there? In killing yourself?” (Baldwin 59) referring to Sonny’s drug abuse in his musical escapes. A series of flashbacks formulate the structure of the story, which can help us understand the dynamics of the characters as well as the theme. James Baldwin uses the vicious cycle of flashbacks in order to trap the reader. Earlier in the story, Sonny’s brother recalls a moment he had talking to his mother about his uncle’s death. This moment illustrated a crucial example of how black people were greatly oppressed in that era. “Till the day he died, your daddy weren’t sure but that every white man he saw was the man that killed his brother” (Baldwin 76). Sonny, the troubled protagonist seeks an escape his societal reality of oppression “…what heroin feels like-when it’s in your veins…It makes you feel-in control. Sometimes you have to have that feeling.” (Baldwin 58). Sonny was using heroin to feel in control of what is going on around him because in reality, he was not in control what so ever. When people aren’t given control over their perceived destiny, people have to do