Music is a movement of freedom, a way of expression through different genres and styles, and an art of creating new things without boundaries. Music is a very important element in the story of Sonny’s Blues, where it expresses a feeling of freedom and relaxation in the life of
Sonny. In James Baldwin's "Sonny's Blues," the theme of family relationships runs throughout the story. Thematically, we also see reference to the artist and his art. While the family relationship between the brothers is a strong thematic element that impacts Sonny as a musician and a person, what draws me more is the concept of the struggle between the artist and his art.
While there is a great deal of controversy between the brothers (which cannot be ignored), the struggle is at …show more content…
Music is Sonny's life. The "blues" are not just what he plays, but also what he experiences based on his life choices and his struggle to pursue music with those choices. His love for music was in vain according to his brother’s view. But then, when they argued about his future as a musician, Sonny’s brother mentioned a disinterest expression when he stated “You mean-like Louis Armstrong?” Immediately, Sonny exclaimed with a vain expression “No. I’m not talking about none of that old-time, down home crap.” Even though, Louis Armstrong is called the father of the jazz and a tremendous musician, Sonny didn’t want to imitate his life and choose him as a guide. Louis Armstrong, in this story, symbolically shows a classical view and an old way to see life without changes or new inspirational ideas. Being like Louis Armstrong was what Sonny’s brother wanted to impose in
Sonny’s future as a musician. Keeping him in the rules and an strict or “normal” way to live life because he thought that it was the better and safest way to protect Sonny from harm. He uses music as a way to recover from his addiction and a new upcoming life. Ultimately, it is only
Sonny. In James Baldwin's "Sonny's Blues," the theme of family relationships runs throughout the story. Thematically, we also see reference to the artist and his art. While the family relationship between the brothers is a strong thematic element that impacts Sonny as a musician and a person, what draws me more is the concept of the struggle between the artist and his art.
While there is a great deal of controversy between the brothers (which cannot be ignored), the struggle is at …show more content…
Music is Sonny's life. The "blues" are not just what he plays, but also what he experiences based on his life choices and his struggle to pursue music with those choices. His love for music was in vain according to his brother’s view. But then, when they argued about his future as a musician, Sonny’s brother mentioned a disinterest expression when he stated “You mean-like Louis Armstrong?” Immediately, Sonny exclaimed with a vain expression “No. I’m not talking about none of that old-time, down home crap.” Even though, Louis Armstrong is called the father of the jazz and a tremendous musician, Sonny didn’t want to imitate his life and choose him as a guide. Louis Armstrong, in this story, symbolically shows a classical view and an old way to see life without changes or new inspirational ideas. Being like Louis Armstrong was what Sonny’s brother wanted to impose in
Sonny’s future as a musician. Keeping him in the rules and an strict or “normal” way to live life because he thought that it was the better and safest way to protect Sonny from harm. He uses music as a way to recover from his addiction and a new upcoming life. Ultimately, it is only