In most pieces of literature the variance of light and dark are often exercised to juxtapose unlike subjects such as good versus evil. James Baldwin applies this similar effect to his short story, “Sonny's Blues” as he takes the reader on a journey between the relationship of two brothers. Baldwin uses the contrast of light and dark throughout the story to emphasize the differences between themes of hope and despair in the lives of the brothers as well as people who surround them; the light and dark also play a role to showcase how the older brother's eyes become clear to witness the unfolding of Sonny's true self. Sonny's brother often reflects on their childhood to try and remember important aspects from his brother that may be important
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In addition the memories of Sonny are seen through the eyes of his older brother as he remembers him as a child, “When he was about as old as these boys in my class his face had been bright and open, there was a lot of copper in it. . .great gentleness and privacy” (564). His memory is important because during Sonny's youth he was a child full of “light” or hope in this case but as he grew older he was faced with the darkness of the street life. Correspondingly, Sonny turned to drugs to find a way out of the suffering, he wanted to find a place away from it even if that meant being addicted to “dope”, his brother did not understand this aspect and thus tried to search for signs of an addict to try to comprehend any amount of information from his younger brother (570). Overall Sonny's brother is still terrfied to speak with his brother that he would rather find facts about addicts rather than ask Sonny himself of about the addiction. On the other hand, Sonny asks his brother to come watch him perform at the club and as his brother watches him he notices the light, “I had the feeling that they, nevertheless, were being most careful not to step into that circle of light too suddenly, without thinking, they would perish in the flame” (585). Baldwin writes about this light as if the light is a reference to holy light and only those who are worthy may
In addition the memories of Sonny are seen through the eyes of his older brother as he remembers him as a child, “When he was about as old as these boys in my class his face had been bright and open, there was a lot of copper in it. . .great gentleness and privacy” (564). His memory is important because during Sonny's youth he was a child full of “light” or hope in this case but as he grew older he was faced with the darkness of the street life. Correspondingly, Sonny turned to drugs to find a way out of the suffering, he wanted to find a place away from it even if that meant being addicted to “dope”, his brother did not understand this aspect and thus tried to search for signs of an addict to try to comprehend any amount of information from his younger brother (570). Overall Sonny's brother is still terrfied to speak with his brother that he would rather find facts about addicts rather than ask Sonny himself of about the addiction. On the other hand, Sonny asks his brother to come watch him perform at the club and as his brother watches him he notices the light, “I had the feeling that they, nevertheless, were being most careful not to step into that circle of light too suddenly, without thinking, they would perish in the flame” (585). Baldwin writes about this light as if the light is a reference to holy light and only those who are worthy may