Sonny Is A Heroin Addict - 1580 Words

. Since Sonny was a heroin addict for most of his life, his perception of the world is entirely different than that of his brother, which is why he needs alternative methods, such as music, to convey his own reality to others. In a letter to his brother, Sonny has difficulty explaining his situation and expressing what he is feeling in written form. He writes: I can t tell you much about how I got here. I mean I don t know how to tell you. I guess I was afraid of something or I was trying to escape from something (127). Despite being released from prison and breaking free from the physical barriers in his life, Sonny still struggles to break free from a more powerful and influential mental barrier, as he feels trapped within his own†¦show more content†¦As a result, the narrator s lack of understanding creates a barrier in his relationship with his brother, because even though the narrator has witnessed music within his community and has seen how it can be used as a form of ex pression, he does not yet realize the connections that he has with music and other artists within the community. Later in the novel, Sonny and his brother get into a dispute about whether or not there is truly a way to end suffering. The narrator poses a difficult question to Sonny: But there s no way not to suffer- is there Sonny? To which Sonny responds with a smile: I believe not, but that s never stopped anyone from trying (143). Sonny goes on further to emphasize that there no way not to suffer. But you can try all kinds of ways to keep from drowning in it, to keep on top of it...You re just hung up on the way some people try—it s not your way (143). Following this comment, the narrator gives Sonny some insight into his own feelings towards suffering (specifically the suffering that Sonny has endured over the past few years): The hair on [his] face began to itch, [his] face felt wet. That s not true , he said, I just care how you suffer...I don t want to see you—die—trying not to suffer (143). Up until this point, the narrator has not actually shared his ownShow M oreRelatedThe Harlem Jazz Scene Analysis1667 Words   |  7 Pagesâ€Å"In the second major wave of American opiate addiction, heroin was integrated into the new cultural identity of the ‘hipster’ first through the Harlem jazz scene,† (A Social History of American’s Most Popular Drugs). Instead of finishing out his last year of high school while staying at Isabel’s, Sonny spent his school days playing music and getting high in Greenwich Village. This was very alarming to Isabel. She became very upset with Sonny and although she tried her best to stay calm, she lostRead MoreEssay about Sonnys Blues by James Baldwin1003 Words   |  5 Pages There are many things we learn of Sonny and his nameless brother in Sonnys Blues. We learn their mannerisms, hobbies, occupations, and even their addictions. It seems we learn nearly everything about the pair; minus the narrators name, as previously stated. Hearing of their histories and the pains theyve under gone, we see how they deal with their pain, which often truly tells character. Sonnys Blues isnt a story of two brothers living in a rough city; one of whom is a talented musicianRead MoreSonnys Blues - Baldwin Personal Reflection1220 Words   |  5 Pagesreference to his life, his feelings, his style, and most importantly his way of life. This story starts in despair, the main character, Sonny is a drug addict, who is holding on to life, but through music he finds hope. There are many parts of this story, such as Sonny being a recovering heroin addict, or Sonny and his love for music, or the fact that Sonny and his dad are just alike. It was difficult for me to understand the main reasons for this story after reading it once, because I automaticallyRead MoreAnalysis Of James Baldwin s Sonny s Blues 933 Words   |  4 Pagesthe chaos of the world. . Graham Benton expresses â€Å"Although Sonny first tries to relieve his pain by submitting to the mind numbing effects of heroin, he almost simultaneously discovers that playing jazz provides him with a similar kind of escape from his worldly troubles (362).† Sonny finds that Jazz is a much safer pain reliever than heroin and it gives him a way to escape his worldly problems. John M. Reilly states â€Å"in the story of Sonny and his brother an intuition of the m eaning of the Blues repairsRead MoreAddiction And Recovery : Sonny s Blues By James Baldwin Essay946 Words   |  4 Pagesnewspaper of Sonny’s arrest. The fear overwhelmed him as he wondered what was going to happen to Sonny. Would he stay in jail, sent to a rehabilitation center, or just let back on the streets to start drugs again? He also struggled with the feeling of guilt; this could be his fault. Sonny’s brother thinks to himself, â€Å"I had my suspicions, but I didn’t name them. I kept putting them away. I told myself that Sonny was wild, but wasn’t crazy† (Baldwin 123). This is an example of the psychological effect thatRead MoreThe Effects Of Racism In Sonnys Blues By James Baldwin983 Words   |  4 Pages â€Å"Sonny’s Blue†, by James Baldwin, reflects a story of an unidentified narrator and his younger brother Sonny through their fights to overcome suffering and racism in Harlem in 1950s. The setting plays an important role in the story. The time period can be assumed to be an era filled with poverty, drugs and racial tension and Harlem being predominantly African-American. These factors seem to have a role in â€Å"Sonny’s Blue†. In â€Å"Sonnys Blues†, James Baldwin, a narrator, reflects a theme of sufferingRead MoreSonny s Blues : A Story Of A Young Jazz Musician976 Words   |  4 Pages Sonny’s Blues This is a story of a young jazz musician (Sonny) from Harlem, NY who gets addicted to heroin, is arrested for using and selling drugs, and returns to his childhood neighborhood after his release from prison. He moves in with his older brother (the story’s narrator) and his brother’s family. The two brothers sort of reconnect after a very tense few weeks during which both try to deal with their anger towards each other. Drugs are a central part of the story, but it’s also about familyRead More Individualism in Robert Frosts The Road Not Taken, Zalman Kings In Gods Hands and James Baldwins Sonnys Blues932 Words   |  4 Pagesliving that are considered normal. These principles are what keep societies organized and orderly. Conforming to these principles, however, is not necessarily the road to happiness for every individual. The main character, Shane, in In God’s Hands, Sonny, in Sonny’s Blues, and the speaker in The Road Not Taken, all choose not t o live by what is considered normal, or popular, and are able to find happiness by living as individuals. Robert Frost’s The Road Not Taken is a poem about the choices everyRead MoreSonnys Blues in Harlem896 Words   |  4 Pageslearning that his brother, Sonny, has been arrested for selling heroin. Sonny’s brother takes him in after he is released from jail. However, his brother is scared if he lets him back into his home he will fall into his old ways. Sonny’s true passion in life is to become a Jazz musician but his family doesn’t believe in what he wants to do. Sonny want’s his brother to go with him to a jazz club to see how he actually is and not just seeing him as a dope selling drug addict. At the end of Sonny’s setRead MoreComparing Sonnys Blues And The Garden Party By Katherine Mansfield1251 Words   |  6 Pagescharacters Sonny and Laure are two different types of hero archetypes. Sonny is the hero of the absurd while Laura follows Joseph Campbell’s hero arc. The stories are extremely different but the one element they have i n common is that Sonny and Laura’s journey causes them to have a different outlook from their siblings, the Narrator and Laurie. Sonny and the Narrator are mostly different, but as the story goes on, there are some similarities between the two brothers. The similarities that Sonny and the

Abraham Lincoln, By George Mcgovern Essay - 1653 Words

In Abraham Lincoln, by George McGovern, McGovern summarizes and gives insight on one of the United States’ most well-known and highly praised presidents, Abraham Lincoln. McGovern thoroughly outlines Lincoln’s life, his struggles and how he became the great president that he was. One point McGovern continues to mention is how no matter how bad a situation was or even when people doubted Lincoln, he would take his defeats and preserve. In the beginning of the book, McGovern recounts Lincoln’s life as a kid and a young adult. He describes how no matter how bad Lincoln failed or how sad he was, â€Å"Lincoln would not resign himself to failure and loss; instead he learned from each experience and carried on† . In addition, McGovern continues to mention how Lincoln never stopped learning. From a young age, Lincoln loved to learn, read and expand his knowledge so he could fully analyze any situation. According to McGovern, this personality trait allowed Lincoln to work and rise up from a farmer’s son to the President of the United States. This trait, also, allowed Lincoln â€Å"to take a far more active role in managing military affairs† . Lincoln was able to come up with a new strategy for the Union to win the Civil War. Additionally, McGovern discusses the two issues that truly defined and shaped Lincoln’s presidency: slavery and unifying the United States. Even before Abraham Lincoln was president, Lincoln made it clear he opposed slavery and felt like it was tearing theShow MoreRelatedAbraham Lincoln and the Gettysburg Address1685 Words   |  7 PagesAbraham Lincoln and the Gettysburg Address History remembers Abraham Lincoln as one of the greatest leaders. He has made many significant contributions to the history of the United States and is considered one of the greatest presidents. He sacrificed himself for what he believed in, even if it meant starting a war against his own country. He believed in equality for everyone and that all men were created equal. As president he is best remembered for leading the Union through the Civil WarRead MoreEssay on The Republican Party3091 Words   |  13 PagesStates, the other being the DEMOCRATIC PARTY party. It is popularly known as the GOP, from its earlier nickname Grand Old Party. From the time it ran its first PRESIDENTIAL candidate, John C. Fremont, in 1856, until the inauguration of Republican George BUSH in 1989, Republican presidents occupied the WHITE HOUSE for 80 years. Traditionally, Republican strength came primarily from New England and the Midwest. After World War II, however, it greatly increased in the Sunbelt states and the West. GenerallyRead MoreAmerican Revolution and Study Guide Essay example5377 Words   |  22 PagesRoger Williams George Whitefield Lord Baltimore William Bradford John Peter Zenger Virtual representation Walter Raleigh John Winthrop Paxton boys James Oglethorpe Puritans Triangular trade First Continental Congress John Smith Separatists Molasses Act Sugar Act Francis Drake Pilgrims Scots-Irish Quartering Act William Penn Predestination Louis XIV Boston Massacre Henry VIII Salutary neglect George Washington StampRead MoreDeveloping Management Skills404131 Words   |  1617 Pagesjust about to give up on any consumer application of the magnetron when a meeting was held with George Foerstner, president of the recently acquired Amana Refrigeration Company. In the meeting, costs, applications, manufacturing obstacles, and production issues were discussed. Foerstner galvanized the entire microwave oven effort with the following statement, as reported by a Raytheon vice president. George says, â€Å"It’s no problem. It’s about the same size as an air conditioner. It weighs about the same

McClaren F1 Essay Example For Students

McClaren F1 Essay English III McClaren F1Do you want the fastest street legal car in the world? Well then you need to get a McClaren F1. This car will cost you an arm and a leg, but it is defiantly worth the money. If you like high speeds and great looks you will love the McClaren F1. The McClaren F1 has very incredible speeds and performance. The McClaren F1 can go the amazing speed of 226 miles per hour. Going this great speed must be the greatest rush in the world. You might as well race a drag car because that would be your only competition. The McClaren F1 can also go 0-60mph in 2.8 seconds and do the quarter mile in 9.6 seconds. If you put the petal to the metal your head will slam back into your seat and you will be flying in a matter of seconds. These amazing speeds and performance are pretty much the best you can get. The McClaren F1 is a demonstration of pure speed. The McClaren F1 has so many great things about it. The McClaren F1 has a V-12 engine. That is such a good example of great power. This super car engine is the best engine money can buy. The McClaren F1 has only one seat in the front of the car. When you drive this beast its only you and the shifter. You are pretty much the king of the world when you drive this amazing car. This great car has better details than any other car,The McClaren F1is one of the most expensive cars in the world. The McClaren F1 cost an incredible cost of 850,00 to 1,500,00 dollars. This is more money that I will see in my whole life. But if you are rich, you should buy this car. Bill Gates has this fastest streetcar in the world sitting in his garage. At some times I wish I were Bill Gates so I could have such an awesome car. This car belongs on the racetrack, but you get the luxury of driving it legally on the street. The McClaren F1s cost is high; fortunately you get what you pay for. The McClaren F1 is an incredible car. This superb car has so many great things about it. The McClaren F1 is a combination of performance, looks, and record times. The McClaren F1 is definitely worth every penny that you pay. In conclusion, if you are rich you should buy one of these amazing exotic cars.

What is an American an Example by

What is an American? What is an American? A native or inhabitant of the United States of America? There is more to being an American than just physically living in the land of the free and the home of the brave. Being a melting pot of various cultures, religion, and beliefs, the spirit of being an American extends beyond borders. Being an American is a way of life and can be described in three words: Power, Heart and Wisdom (Time, Inc., 2008). Need essay sample on "What is an American?" topic? We will write a custom essay sample specifically for you Proceed The Power. We have welcomed the best the world has to offer: technology, products, food, athletes you name it, we have the best of it. We always take the initiative, taking risks along the way, but never lose hope of a better tomorrow for everyone (Hudgins, 1998). The Heart. We are a caring people. We hear. We respond. We have welcomed the tired and the poor, the wretched and the homeless; we have embraced and took them as our own. Our generosity enables us to help just about every other nation in the world in their time of need (Ferrara, 2001). The Wisdom. Throughout our history we have faced numerous challenges, and the lessons learned have allowed us to take great strides to being good citizens of this world. As the vanguard of democracy it is our duty to spread the news that a free society living in an enduring democracy can be attained and enjoyed by all. This is what being an American is all about. BIBLIOGRAPHY Ferrara, P. (2001, September 25). What is an American? - A Primer. Retrieved January 19, 2008, from Barefootsworld.net: http://www.barefootsworld.net/american.html Hudgins, E. K. (1998, July 3). What is an American? Retrieved January 19, 2008, from Cato.Org: https://www.cato.org/publications/commentary/what-is-american Time, Inc. (2008). What is an American?