Responsibility

“Sonny’s Blues” by James Baldwin is filled with ethical responsibility. Sonny’s brother is the main focus of the story. However, Baldwin did not reveal his name which adds to the focus of his responsibility instead of his identity. Sonny and his brother grew up in Harlem where opportunity is rare. It is hard to move up in society from Harlem. Most children in Harlem have their dreams and goals crushed at an early age. Sonny was no different.

When Sonny’s dad died, Sonny’s mother told his brother to look after Sonny and not to let anything happen to him. She revealed that his uncle had died, and his father had never been the same. Sonny’s brother had the responsibility of his mother’s desire for him to look after Sonny.

Sonny’s brother felt responsible for the children in the neighborhood in Harlem. Although he received an education and became an algebra teacher, he never left his old neighborhood. He wanted to make a difference and help those students that the world had forgotten.

Sonny wanted to escape from Harlem. He tried to make a living playing Blues on the piano, but no one took this aspiration seriously. When he fell into despair, he turned to drugs. Sonny and his brother lost contact, but Sonny’s brother read about Sonny’s arrest which was drug related in the paper. His sense of failed responsibility over Sonny’s arrest was strong.

When Sonny was released from prison, his brother took up the responsibility once again. He insisted that Sonny reside with him and his wife until he completed an education. Once again, Sonny’s ambitions to play the piano were not taken seriously. Sonny started playing blues on the piano at a bar. This was his release from the past and from his drug addiction.

Sonny’s brother finally accompanied him to hear him play the blues. The realization of Sonny’s talent and ability to speak to people through his music brought an understanding to Sonny’s brother. The responsibility that Sonny’s brother felt for Sonny was finally turning into respect and admiration for his brother. He knew that Sonny was going to be alright, and he knew that Sonny needed to follow his dreams.

The ethical issues in “Sonny’s Blues” include the issues of poverty, racism, and crime in Harlem. The drug use by Sonny and his incarceration is another ethical issue in this story. The responsibility Sonny’s brother felt towards his family and his community were another ethical issue. Baldwin wove these issues into “Sonny’s Blues” to show the disparity as well as the hope that abounds in our lives.

Sipiora, Phillip. “Sonny’s Blues.” Reading and Writing about Literature. Pearson Education, Inc., 2002. 79-99.