I don't have one Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

I don't have one - Essay Example In the short story, drugs led to his incarceration, thus increasing his predicament. However, his aptitude in jazz music has significantly aided him in alleviating his challenges. In James Baldwin’s short story, titled Sonny’s Blues, the narrator depicts Sonny as a teenaged character struggling with various challenges in the slums of Harlem. The story’s setting is in the middle of the 20th century, a time when racial discrimination was at all times high. Racial discrimination against the African Americans by the whites came in all forms thus posing tremendous negative or undesirable effects in the society. The narrator, an anonymous character, gives a picture of Sonny fighting drug abuse and other social dilemmas through jazz music, which he strongly disapproves. Moreover, he says "and his music seemed to be merely an excuse for the life he led† (Madden 321). The writer describes how Sonny uses his artful skills in mitigating his challenges that include drug abuse and poverty. In one instance, the narrator shows how Sonny hangs in several nightclubs, in a bid to use his talent in jazz music to avert drug (heroin) addiction. His brother, the narrator does not understand his passion in music until one day when they go together in a nightclub (Schewhn and Bass 331). In that particular occasion, the narrator realizes the power of music in keeping Sonny sound and normal, while staying away from drugs and other social tribulations that significantly affects his life. However, his jazz musical talent could have a negative effect on him since the narrator’s in-laws took him as a low-classed boy. In addition, Sonny’s involvement in jazz music led him into drug addiction, a condition he unsuccessfully tried to eliminate. His addiction has also landed him in jail and severely affected his relationship with his brother, the narrator (F einstein and Rife 506). Through his jazz music, Sonny is able to communicate the