What Is Blue

What Is Blue? “Sonny’s Blues,” by James Baldwin, is a story about the relationship between two brothers. The central idea of this story is how peoples’ own experiences of personal hardships make them better able to empathize with the troubles of others. Language is the dominant element employed by Baldwin, in which he uses imagery in the story. The imagery of light and dark is prevalent throughout this story and plays an important role …

…use of light paints vivid pictures in one’s mind, especially at the end of the story with the blue stage lights. My favorite part of this story is at the end. Sonny is on stage, showered in an indigo light, where he is singing the blues, and in his song he sings of his sorrow, his blues. What an incredible use of imagery to illustrate a vivid portrayal that sums up Sonny’s life!