Point of View, Who’s Perception?
“Sonny’s Blues,” a short story written by James Baldwin, is expressed in the limited omniscient point of view. Limited omniscient point of view is most commonly referred to as first person point of view. The focus of this essay is to analyze the point of view used in “Sonny’s Blues,” while also revealing how symbolism is reflected in this short story written by Baldwin (Baldwin). There are advantages and disadvantages of a story being expressed in the limited omniscient point of view (Team). Understanding the point of view used in “Sonny’s Blues” is important since the point of view impacts the interpretation and emotions of the readers.
The narrator offers understanding from his point of view as to the conditions …show more content…
Throughout the short story, the narrator often uses the word “I” to identify his actions or feelings. “We” is used to describe situations that both the narrator and Sonny were going through. An outsider, someone not involved in the story, could not write in limited omniscient point of view using the words “I”, “me,” and “we.” Therefore, there is no doubt as to the point of view used in the story. By using the first person point of view, the story is impacted in numerous ways. The story is impacted through the expression of emotions. The reader is led to recognize the narrator and Sonny’s conflicts, which allows the reader to see and understand events as the narrator remembers them. This allows the reader to understand the narrator and feel the narrator’s emotions. Therefore, the reader is led to take the narrator’s side in the story. Furthermore, the point of view used in “Sonny’s Blues” allows the readers to feel like they are connected to the …show more content…
“Sonny’s Blues” is about Sonny, told by Sonny’s older brother. The reader tends to question what Sonny’s perspective would have been. The narrator portrays Sonny as a drug addict, poor decision maker, and someone who does not apply reason to the life choices he makes. The narrator has painted himself as a successful professional whom has beat the odds that were against him. Furthermore, the narrator’s family life and decisions to distance himself from the Harlem neighborhood activities are used to strengthen his accountability. Questions as to the candor of the story could be limited since we are hearing the story from Sonny’s older brother rather than hearing the story from Sonny himself. Sonny would not have been the best person to narrate his own story (Team). Most readers will trust the narrator and feel connected to the narrator based on the point of view used in “Sonny’s
“Sonny’s Blues,” a short story written by James Baldwin, is expressed in the limited omniscient point of view. Limited omniscient point of view is most commonly referred to as first person point of view. The focus of this essay is to analyze the point of view used in “Sonny’s Blues,” while also revealing how symbolism is reflected in this short story written by Baldwin (Baldwin). There are advantages and disadvantages of a story being expressed in the limited omniscient point of view (Team). Understanding the point of view used in “Sonny’s Blues” is important since the point of view impacts the interpretation and emotions of the readers.
The narrator offers understanding from his point of view as to the conditions …show more content…
Throughout the short story, the narrator often uses the word “I” to identify his actions or feelings. “We” is used to describe situations that both the narrator and Sonny were going through. An outsider, someone not involved in the story, could not write in limited omniscient point of view using the words “I”, “me,” and “we.” Therefore, there is no doubt as to the point of view used in the story. By using the first person point of view, the story is impacted in numerous ways. The story is impacted through the expression of emotions. The reader is led to recognize the narrator and Sonny’s conflicts, which allows the reader to see and understand events as the narrator remembers them. This allows the reader to understand the narrator and feel the narrator’s emotions. Therefore, the reader is led to take the narrator’s side in the story. Furthermore, the point of view used in “Sonny’s Blues” allows the readers to feel like they are connected to the …show more content…
“Sonny’s Blues” is about Sonny, told by Sonny’s older brother. The reader tends to question what Sonny’s perspective would have been. The narrator portrays Sonny as a drug addict, poor decision maker, and someone who does not apply reason to the life choices he makes. The narrator has painted himself as a successful professional whom has beat the odds that were against him. Furthermore, the narrator’s family life and decisions to distance himself from the Harlem neighborhood activities are used to strengthen his accountability. Questions as to the candor of the story could be limited since we are hearing the story from Sonny’s older brother rather than hearing the story from Sonny himself. Sonny would not have been the best person to narrate his own story (Team). Most readers will trust the narrator and feel connected to the narrator based on the point of view used in “Sonny’s