Sonny’s Blues
Growing up in the tough neighborhood of Harlem, New York, Sonny and his older brother never had a close relationship. As adults, they took completely different life paths and lost communication. It wasn’t until the night of Sonny’s concert that his brother was able to open his mind to the possibility to repair their relationship. Through the inferred statement, “Now these are Sonny’s Blues,” Sonny’s brother saw a family life-long dispute come to an end. Sonny’s parents have raised Sonny and his big brother in Harlem, NY, where poverty and African American people predominated. Music is a very big theme throughout the whole story and it is first brought up when Sonny and his brother meet shortly after their mother’s death. Sonny mentioned his desire to become a Jazz musician and his brother immediately disagreed. He asked Sonny, “Can you make a living at it…you know people can’t always do exactly what they want to do-” and he continues by abruptly insinuating, “you getting to be a big boy, it’s time you started thinking about your future.” (Page 87). Through these egotistic words Sonny’s brother indicates …show more content…
From Sonny’s brother description on how Sonny played the piano that night, it is obvious that Sonny played with his heart and soul, and that affected his older brother tremendously. Even though, Sonny and his brother had a horrible relationship for many years, and Sonny’s brother did not seem to like music or appreciate the idea of Sonny becoming a musician, music was what brought their lifelong dispute to an end. Furthermore, during Sonny’s concert the healing process in their relationship began. His brother at the end of the story buys Sonny a drink and by this action he indicates that he recognizes and accepts Sonny’s talent and enthusiasm for