A Life Lesson in Sonny's Blues

A Life Lesson in “Sonny’s Blues” ‘“You know people can’t always do exactly what they want to do -”’ (91). This is the attitude of the narrator towards his brother Sonny in the beginning of “Sonny’s Blues” by James Baldwin. ‘”I think people ought to do what they want to do, what else are they alive for?”’ (91). This is Sonny’s attitude throughout the story. The narrator’s attitude changes as he learns …

…had taught him many things that night. He saw his brother in a different light. He saw his own life differently. He heard and experienced the music that Sonny has been telling about all along. Sonny had communicated to his brother that evening in ways that words had failed in the past. “Freedom lurked around us and I understood, at last” (102). The narrator learned that you do have to do what you want in life.