Characterization of Sonny’s Blues

In this story, Baldwin writes about two brothers who grew together. As each of the boys grew older, they fell apart from one another and lived two completely different lives. Baldwin carefully establishes the brothers as opposites.

The narrator (the older brother)

l He is a cautious, respectable family man

l He teaches math and is proud of his professional standing

l Seem to be more conservative and more determined for a good future.

l His major source of discontent has been his selfish desire to assimilate and lead a respectable, safe life as a high-school algebra teacher.

l When he learns of SonnyЎ¦s troubles with drugs and the law, he feels threatened.

l For him, the way he lives now is safe, and all Sonny does are dangerous.

l Living in a Harlem housing project, he consciously protects himself from the dangers that surround him

Sonny (the younger brother)

l He is a romantic artist who is not afraid of taking risks