Human Suffering In Sonny's Blues By James Baldwin

James Baldwin wrote Sonny’s Blues. It takes place in the inner city of Harlem New York. The story revolves around the “unnamed” brother and Sonny. Sonny has a dream of becoming a musician, but not without the scrutiny from his brother, this conflict leads to Sonny doing drugs. The conflict between the brothers is a reoccurring theme in the story. Some readers are drawn to the fact that Sonny’s Blues is a captivating showcase of the light and dark moments in life. Other readers find that the story focuses too much on human suffering: both internally and externally. I will argue that “unnamed” brother is a dynamic character. I will demonstrate this by discussing three different moral changes throughout the beginning, middle, and end.
To begin,

the initial focus of the story is the “unnamed” brothers view of people like Sonny. “The courtyard was almost deserted by the time I got downstairs. I saw this boy standing in the shadow of a doorway, looking just like Sonny. I almost called his name…but now, abruptly, I hated him. I couldn’t stand the way he looked at me, partly, like a dog, partly like a cunning child” (P.50). The quote is saying that the “unnamed” brother is automatically judging the kid in the courtyard because he is similar to Sonny and because of his low opinion of him; he automatically thinks he knows this kid. He uses specific words such as, “partly, like a dog and a cunning child.” These words show that he views people who are similar to Sonny as being half animalistic and immature, almost perceived him as a bottom feeder of society. The “unnamed” brother displays that even though he works in a professional setting as an Algebra teacher, he is not accustomed to the diversity and is stereotyping people, which demonstrates his character. The quote establishes the introductory moral, which is don’t judge a book by its cover.
As the story progresses Sonny tells the “unnamed” brother that he would like to become a musician.

However, his brother doubts his decision. “…You know you can’t always do exactly what you want to do…I think people ought to do what they want to do, why else are they living…you getting to be a big boy…it’s time you started thinking about your future” (Pg. 59). The conversation between the “unnamed” brother and Sonny shows that the brother is trying to be a gatekeeper for Sonny and is trying to be supportive of Sonny, but is unfamiliar with the big brother role. Additionally, he believes he is washed up and clueless about the world, which would explain his reasoning for gatekeeping. The brother thinks that because of his academic background, anything below that is not sustainable for a proper future. Also, by the unnamed brother saying “it’s time you start thinking about your future.” The word “your” automatically points to Sonny and implies that he doesn’t have a future, to begin with, without even hearing, or listening to him. He also views him again as being childish by saying, “you getting to be a big boy.” Almost mocking him in a condescending way. There could also be some jealousy and pride involved with the brother. He thinks because his brother is doing what he wants to do it is a reason to patronize him. Sonny hit it right on the head when he said: “I think people ought to do what they want to do, why else are they living?” I believe the brother mentioned his

brother’s maturity as a cover-up for his wrongdoing and pride issue. If the story ended at this point the moral would have humility and don’t let your ego get in the way.
Finally, at the end of the story the “unnamed” brother goes into the nightclub where Sonny plays with the band and he has an epiphany about his situation with his brother and his own outlook on his life.

“Sonny’s fingers filled the air with life, his life…I understood, at last, that he could help us to be free if we would listen, that he would never be free until we did…I heard what he had gone through, and would continue to go through until he came to rest in the earth.”(Pg.69) The brother’s experience seeing Sonny perform shows that he looks up at his brother as an equal now. By the brother saying that Sonny’s music fills the air with “life, his life", it explains that the “unnamed” brother finally grasps the idea that his younger brother actually has talent, is not some washed up the bum, and has a purpose in life. The line “I understood, at last, that he could help us to be free if we would listen.” He realizes when Sonny is playing that inspiration comes in many different forms, even from a younger brother and that all we have to do is just give others a chance. He is also relieved that he can finally look at Sonny as his brother and for being removed from his despair. To add on, the “unnamed” brother has a revelation through Sonny’s music and for the first time sympathizes with his brother about his inner struggle of being a musician, his fight with drugs, he finds out that there is a purpose for music in the world, sticking to your passion is not an easy thing to

do, and that Sonny will continue to face adversity of being a musician from the people who doubt him until he passes on. The quote is important to the story because it displays how the brother has changed as a person throughout the story and creates the moral that we as readers should come away with, and that does not paint your version of success on someone else, people can change if you just give people a chance.
In conclusion, many will argue against the “unnamed” character being dynamic. However, as the story progresses we see a major change in the brother’s character and realize by the moral changes that the brother does change, which prove he is a dynamic character.