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James Baldwin, "Sonny's Blues"

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Reading Questions

Text on p. 91 of the full Ninth Edition and p. 88 of the shorter Ninth Edition.

Reading Questions

1. The story focuses on two characters, Sonny and his (unnamed) brother; the unnamed brother tells the story. What is each brother like? How are they different? What do they have in common? Which brother do you sympathize with more? Why?

2. Harlem is a powerful presence in the story. Describe how this world has positively and negatively shaped each brother. Is it a more hospitable world than the South their parents knew? What evidence do you see of community in their world?

3. The story can be hard to follow. For example, the "it" of the first paragraph is not revealed for a while, and the chronology is difficult to establish because of the flashbacks. Are there other points in the story that you found confusing or ambiguous?

4. What strikes you most powerfully about the story? Do any particular lines catch your attention? What seems particularly "true to life" to you? Do you think that your own experiences and cultural background block you or aid you in understanding the story?

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