Biggs 1 Shenelle Biggs College Writing II Dr.

Tiffany Austin 3/16/2014 Jazz Music as Symbol in Sonnys Blues The short story Sonnys Blues by James Baldwin was told from a first person point of view. The narrator employs the technique of flashback in order to trace the path of Sonnys life up to till the present date of him performing at the night club. He documents aspects of his life that has helped to shape Sonny into the person he had become and the relationship he had with him. However the Jazz music carries different meaning to both the narrator and his brother. It is seen to evoke dissimilar emotions when is spoke about by either Sonny or the narrator Jazz music symbolizes different things to different characters in this story. The narrator ignorant to the topic of Jazz. The lines follows describes how the narrator depicts Jazz music I simply couldn't see why on earth he'd want to spend his time hanging around nightclubs, clowning around on bandstands, while people pushed each other around a dance floor. It seemedbeneath him, somehow.(Baldwin373). This highlights that author viewed Jazz music as derogative and not a dream his brother should pursue. In addition the lines stated next provides further of the narrator I had never thought about it before, had never been forced to, but I suppose I had always put jazz musicians in a class with what Daddy called "good-time people.(Baldwin373). These lines portrays to the reader that Jazz music as shown by the author is a waste of time, negative and not a dream his brother should pursue. He associates the persons that play Jazz as being undesirable for his brothers attention. He blames the music on the

Biggs 2 Sonnys addiction to drugs. Sonny describes within the story that it is easier to be higher and play the music (Baldwin 381). However Sonny views jazz music as a positive aspect of his life. Jazz music for Sonny symbolizes the means as to why he hangs on to life. It is a place he turns to In order to find happiness. The lines that follows shows how jazz music made Sonny feel I senses from a miles away Sonny was the piano playing for his life (Baldwin376). The music was life to Sonny, means as survival. It is something he enjoys doing. Sonny believes that everyone should pursue what they want to do, and playing the jazz music is what he wants to do (Baldwin 374). The lines from the narrator showed what the music did to Sonny That music, which was life or death to him... (Baldwin 377). Jazz music was Sonnys hope and means of survival. It had provided a family which he felt close to/. Jazz is the medium which Sonny has used to express and communicate with his brother. Towards the ending of the story the narrator views of jazz music changes. His interpretations takes a turn for the good as he finally understands how his brother felt. He got an insight in what his brother had to go through. He understood the struggles of the musician and his instruments. Jazz music served as the medium which Sonny used to let the brother in and allow him to listen.