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The first example of racism that I came across was about the death of Sonny's uncle who was hit by a car driven by a group of drunken white people. The repercussions of the treatment received by black people in the 1950's in Harlem are present throughout the entire story. Another example of racism that occurred in this story happened to Sonny's dad. He is tormented by the memory of his brother's death and because of this he has formed a hatred for white people. I feel this is Baldwin's way of demonstrating to his readers that black America is justified in feeing the pain, suffering and hate brought about by a racist white
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Irony is shown from the start to the end of this story through the direction of lifestyle each brother chose to lead. Isn't it ironic that two brothers brought up under the same roof took two totally different paths? Sonny chose music as a career, not very secure or stable; on the other hand, his brother chose to go to college and become a math teacher, an extremely stable position. Sonny's lifestyle is a very carefree one while his brother's isn't. Sonny is free and single while his brother is married with children. Sonny fell into the world of drugs while his brother escaped that route. Irony is also shown at the end of the story when Sonny's brother tries to establish a bond with Sonny and his music. This is a little bit ironic because never before did Sonny's brother have an interest in his music. At the end of the story Sonny is performing one last time; this is when all the pieces come together for both Sonny and his brother, through Sonny's music. As the brother listens to Sonny, he feels Sonny's pain and the pain he has suppressed for a long time. Everything that was bottled up finally reaches the surface. The narrator really comes to an understanding of what has happened in Sonny's and his life when Sonny plays the blues. This is the common thread that will bond Sonny and his brother. The expression blood is thicker than water certainly holds true for these two siblings, and one can assume that when Sonny gets out, he and his brother will pick up the pieces and work together to form a loving
Irony is shown from the start to the end of this story through the direction of lifestyle each brother chose to lead. Isn't it ironic that two brothers brought up under the same roof took two totally different paths? Sonny chose music as a career, not very secure or stable; on the other hand, his brother chose to go to college and become a math teacher, an extremely stable position. Sonny's lifestyle is a very carefree one while his brother's isn't. Sonny is free and single while his brother is married with children. Sonny fell into the world of drugs while his brother escaped that route. Irony is also shown at the end of the story when Sonny's brother tries to establish a bond with Sonny and his music. This is a little bit ironic because never before did Sonny's brother have an interest in his music. At the end of the story Sonny is performing one last time; this is when all the pieces come together for both Sonny and his brother, through Sonny's music. As the brother listens to Sonny, he feels Sonny's pain and the pain he has suppressed for a long time. Everything that was bottled up finally reaches the surface. The narrator really comes to an understanding of what has happened in Sonny's and his life when Sonny plays the blues. This is the common thread that will bond Sonny and his brother. The expression blood is thicker than water certainly holds true for these two siblings, and one can assume that when Sonny gets out, he and his brother will pick up the pieces and work together to form a loving