Sonny's Blues

Sonny's Blues



1. From whose point of view is "Sonny's Blues" told? How do the narrator's values and experiences affect his view of the story?

“Sonny’s Blues” is narrated by the older brother. He’s a practical man, who likes to be normal. He wants anything to be reasonable and rational. In the beginning, he slights on Sonny’s friends, and he thinks those guys who play music can not have normal, general, and fine lives. He can not believe Sonny’s decision is made rationally.



2. What is the older brother's profession? Does it suggest anything about his personality?

He’s a teacher. He’s prone to control situations and others’ decisions with his own belief and thoughts. He scorns someone who doesn’t live in his way.


3. How would this story change if it were told by Sonny?

He might narrate about his older brother, his brother’s values, his brother’s habits, and how his older brother begins admiring his music and becomes one of his fans.


4. What event prompts the narrator to write his brother?

His daughter’s death.


5. What does the narrator's mother ask him to do for Sonny? Does the older brother keep his promise?

She asks him to look for Sonny. He doesn’t keep his promise at first. However, after the events, he gradually reunites his family and Sonny. He starts trying to feel Sonny’s feeling and to know Sonny’s thoughts and life.


6. The major characters in this story are called Mama, Daddy, and Sonny (the older brother is never named or even nicknamed). How do these names affect our sense of the story?

That suggests that Sonny is the leading role in the story. But the personalities, habits, thoughts, and life style of leading role are constructed from others’ views.


7. Reread the last four paragraphs and explain the significance of the statement "Now these are Sonny's blues." How has Sonny made this music his own?

The other musicians step back, gathered around him and made his music step out. Besides, he played music with his soul; he put his view of life. A life is flat in the begging, maybe monotonous till the end, unless a person can stop lamenting and start to feel and to be free.