Struggle and Redemption in Sonny’s Blues

James Baldwin’s story Sonny’s Blues echoes many of his other stories which focus on class distinction, racism, and sexuality in 20th century America. As with other Baldwin stories, Sonny’s Blues takes place in Harlem. Baldwin uses a nameless narrator to detail the struggles with jazz musician Sonny. Drug addiction, family problems, and struggle with music all form the reality and metaphor of Sonny’s “blues,” as Sonny is both sympathetic and difficult. Sonny is a reflection of African American society at the time Baldwin wrote. The characters struggled with being black, poor, and having few options. Overall, the story shows us how people trapped in a society with few options struggle and occasionally overcome.

While the story focuses on Sonny and the nameless narrator, who is Sonny’s brother, the theme of the story is poverty and racism in America. Sonny is born in Harlem, and quite early on realizes that he must “escape” Harlem. He views Harlem and its lack of opportunity as a prison. Sonny’s escape attempt leads to drug addiction, and he is eventually imprisoned. Baldwin’s larger point with that is to demonstrate how those attempting to free themselves from the shackles of poverty and racism are often the people most caught in the system. Sonny’s imprisonment is a clear reflection of the “punishment” that one can endure if he works to buck the system as an African American.

The story is told from the point of the narrator, who has a complex relationship with his own situation in Harlem. A math teacher, the narrator learns of his brother’s imprisonment, but chooses not to contact him until some time has passed. The narrator is well aware of his place in Harlem and the lack of opportunity for black men, but he chooses to stay in Harlem and take up a profession. He is not ignorant to racism, but decides not to fight it directly. Eventually, Sonny is released from prison and comes to live with the narrator. The relationship is difficult, as the narrator worries his brother is once again involved in drug use, and he gives serious consideration to searching Sonny’s room. For all of Sonny’s flaws and mistakes, he is respected within the local jazz community.

Toward the end of the story, the narrator goes with Sonny to a performance, and sees how respected Sonny is. At the same time, he sees his brother struggle with playing music. Here Baldwin uses music to embrace the “blues” metaphor, as Sonny’s struggle with playing music is akin to his struggle with his entire place in his society. Sonny struggles in part because he understands that he does “belong” in Harlem, and he is confined to the limits society places on him.

The story contains key themes that still resonate today in America. Both the narrator and Sonny are imprisoned by their race. In other words, two black men from mid-century Harlem have few options, and this is not due to their faults. It is due, instead, to the confines that American society placed on black men in that place and at that time. Baldwin makes his characters tragic, and this reflects the fact that the men are unfairly treated for reasons that have nothing to do with them. Sonny is ultimately imprisoned for drug use, a consequence of his actions. The narrator is likewise imprisoned, due to racism, lack of opportunity and economic success, and this has nothing to do with his actions.

Imprisonment leads to some redemption for both men. Sonny returns to his family after prison, and lives with his brother. While the narrator was originally hesitant to reach out to Sonny, the death of his daughter forced him to consider the importance of family, and he invites Sonny to live with him. For Sonny’s part, redemption only comes after great hardship. Both Sonny and the narrator are redeemed as Sonny performs music. In sum, Baldwin makes the redemption of both men partial, because their connection during the performance seems only temporary, and the struggle and “blues” will continue after the performance.