The Presence of Darkness in James Baldwins Sonnys Blues...

The Presence of Darkness in James Baldwins Sonnys Blues In the story Sonnys Blues the author, James Baldwin, uses the image of darkness quite frequently. He uses it first when the older brother (main character) talks about his younger brother Sonny. He says that when Sonny was younger his face was bright and open. He said that he didnt want to believe that he would ever see his brother going down, coming to nothing, all that light in his face gone out. Meaning he had gone from good (clean and innocent) to bad ( giving into drugs like so many of the other young people). The older brother then goes on to talk about his students and how they had limited possibilities stating that all they really knew were two darknesses, the†¦show more content†¦When the old folks remember that the children are in the room feeling what the adults are thinking they turn on the lights to get back to normal but with this the child is filled with darkness. He knows that every time this happens hes moved just a little closer to that darkness outside. The darkness outside is what the old folks have been talking about. Its what theyve come from. Its what they endure. This is the evil hell have to over come by himself when hes grown and his parents arent around to look after him any longer. The next time the author uses the word darkness is when Sonny and his brother are having a serious talk about life. Sonny brings up that it can come again, meaning the drug addiction. He just wanted to tell his just to let him know it might not be all right. Just before he made these statements the author set the mood by saying that The sun had vanished, soon darkness would fall. It seems the author brings up darkness as a reference to a bad thing or situation. When darkness is brought up again it is when Sonny is going to play at the night club. They go down a short dark street to get there and are greeted in the darkness by one of Sonnys friends. The older brother was then sent to a dark corner by himself to listen to his younger brother play. It changes here, when Sonny gets on stage. The whole band is being Show MoreRelatedThe Meaning of Jazz in African American Culture Particularly in Harlem During the 1950’s2384 Words   |  10 PagesParticularly in Harlem During the 1950’s In the Baldwin’s story, Sonny’s Blues, the author portrays African -Americans in the urban life. Even though he writes about reconciliation of two brothers, who are trying to overcome their differences and to come to understand each other, the story shows the meaning of Jazz in African American culture, particularly in Harlem during 1950. The urban life in Harlem has being described by many authors, including James Baldwin. The life of an African American manRead MoreThe Light and Darkness of Suffering Depicted in Sonnys Blues2446 Words   |  10 Pagespain that defines us as individuals. 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