Chris Couts Professor Jacobs ENC 1102 April 2, 2014 Sonnys Blues: Emotion in the Works Many have

read Sonnys Blues but few have understood the complexity of this piece of literature, such as when it comes to theme, metaphors, and biographical criticism. Sonnys Blues taking place in Harlem is about the narrator, whom is Sonnys brother, becomes to accept and understand the once thought reject of the family, Sonny. In my essay, I will explain in depth the hidden nuances that brought James Baldwins short story to the forefront of writing critics; starting with theme I will fully discuss James Baldwins emphasis on the individual, suffering, and community; and how it is related to Baldwins childhood. This short story, is often considered James Baldwins own autobiography which can be proven by analyzing his childhood related to Sonnys childhood; such as the relation between birthplace and enlightenment of the hardships he faced growing up. This is called Biographical criticism. Furthermore, how the extended scapegoat metaphor encompasses the whole story and how it relates to theme of suffering further adding a complexity many would have missed. The scapegoat metaphor relates to theme because it expresses the understanding of suffering by the characters and allows them to lessen the characters burden throughout the story. My work will show my readers how to relate Baldwins own experiences to his short story, understand the complexity of his work from understanding the extended escape goat metaphor, and fully encompass the wide range of emotions expressed from the themes in this

short story. Informing my reader on the overall scope of Sonnys Blues is my goal as it is needed to understand the whole work in its entirety.