"For
James Baldwin, the black American blues may have seemed a natural vehicle
in which to express his ideas" (Mosher qu. in Burt
111).
"For
James Baldwin, the black American blues may have seemed a natural vehicle
in which to express his ideas" (Mosher qu. in Burt
111).
Many of Baldwin's stories mention the blues. James Baldwin uses the blues as a metaphor for the character's feelings in his stories. Sonny's Blues is one story that focuses on the music being a way of communication between the two brothers. Baldwin refers to the blues quite often in this story because the blues relate to the characters lives. "Only those who have suffered can understand the message of the blues" (Mosher qu. in Burt 112). Sonny has undergone much suffering in his life and that is why he has formed this love for the art of the blues. This is his way of expressing himself. He wishes for his brother to understand his connection with music because music is how he expresses himself. While watching Sonny perform, Sonny's brother is finally able to see and hear his brother for the first time. The blues music was Sonny's way of telling his brother his feelings as well as showing it to him. As well as Sonny expressing himself through his music so do the people on the street. They attract people to watch them as they sing about God being able to heal and save everyone. The two brothers watch the singers and this brings them together to discuss what has been on their minds. There are many occurrences where not only blues, but music has brought together characters in Baldwin's stories. One of his other stories, The Amen Corner, Mosher states "[the] gospel hymns serve as precursors of the blues, as a tool for black survival" (113). Expressing emotions through art has been dated back to as long as art has been alive. Slaves would sing to get them through the long day they were put at work. Pacaso expressed his depression through his art work. People always find it easier to show how they're feeling rather then to talk about it.
Charlie Parker is noted in James Baldwin's Sonny's Blues "as one
of the greatest jazz musicians alive...maybe even the greatest" (Baldwin
qu. in Charters 94). Sonny feels a connection with Charlie Parker
rather then with his brother. Charlie Parker speaks to Sonny in a
way Sonny's brother never could. "Sonny's brother is the man most
in need of reconciliation and most need for the blues" (Bloom
33). If this is true then the irony stands in the title of this
short story: Sonny's Blues. The music liberates Sonny from his pain
and at the end of the story Sonny's brother realizes his pain and understands
it. The music acted as a counselor in a sense to bring the brothers
back together again.
James Baldwin writing about music as much as he does shows that he too
relied on music to verbalize his own emotions. He lived a hard life
and that is why "Baldwin's own nature , too, seems like that of a blues;
he honestly looks at the horribleness of a situation, but he does not give
up" (Mosher qu. in Burt 111). To learn more about James Baldwin's
life check out the web site given on my link page.
Page design: Stephanie Yurasits [lova@prodigy.net]
Created: November/ December 1999