Family Bond In Sonny's Blues By James Baldwin

Sonny’s Blues The story by James Baldwin revolves around the lives of two brothers in the streets of Harlem. The narrative written in the first-person introduces the narrator as he describes his brother’s struggles with heroin addiction and what it does to both of them and their family. The two brothers have to work out their differences for the two solve their collective problems and suffering. The author digs deep into the bonds of family and the role it has to play in the general upbringing of individuals. Also the vital part of one’s nature which is the society and how it is an extension of a family and is also responsible in producing the best or the worst future generation. Sonny’s Blues explores various themes and argumentative topics …show more content…
The narrator shuts Sonny out and this leads to both of them going through turmoil try to live with their choices. Isabel, Sonny’s sister in-law shows compassion to him even though her family are unwilling to take him, she provides him with the much needed family love that creates lasting bonds. When the narrator has it out with his sibling he finds out that Sonny had found solace in the only group he can relate to; his fellow addicts. It goes to show that family goes beyond blood and finding acceptances in different people creates its own unique aspect of family. It is further cemented by the way Sonny is received at the nightclub, he is treated with respect and admiration by his fellow musicians meaning they had a tight …show more content…
It is revealed that Sonny’s father wanted a better life for himself and his family but in the end it was all undone by his heroin addiction. Much like Sonny’s love for music and his heroin addiction preventing him from achieving his dream. Is it impossible for one to shake of the ghosts of his past and challenge the course of fate? On the other hand the narrator even though he seems to have made it given the struggles, still lives in Harlem with his family and he fears that his children will grow up in the same streets that produce drug addicts and criminals. Even though both of the try to change the state of their well-being it seems to be impossible for them to get out of the net that is their past and their upbringing, them being from Harlem. Racism is another topic that the narrative tries to expose. The black community in Harlem suffers from an unclear future that drives them to drugs as an alternative of dealing with this reality. The students even as they seek education know that their opportunities are limited and their background and race will be used against them in their attempts of making it in