Sonny's Blues

1) The setting of this story is crutial because the time makes it easy to understand Sonny's struggle. Sonny threw out the whole story feels trapped. Being black during that period meant u could only do certain things. Being poor made it hard for black people to do  what they where able to actually do. Being in Harlem was like a crutch to poor and black man. During that time, being a poor black boy in Harlem was a trap. You were limited to so many things I can see why he would feel like he needs to get away. The setting is important because I believe it created the pain that made Sonny feel that he needs to run and leave "Harlem's prison." The inner problems Sonny has were there and was created from the black boy who grew up in Harlem during that period of time.

2)  TO me it is ironic that Sonny wants to serve in the army for 2 reasons. One during that time Why fight for a country that doesn't respect you or even view you as a man. During this period of time Blacks were seen in a very dim light. Barely respected still fighting to their rights, respect, and justice. Being in the military is something a soldier chooses to do to fight for HIS country and His people. Why would Sonny want to go fight for a country where the people of that country that doesn't love him. Being a soldier means you holding your head up high because you are risking your life for a great country. Sonny could never do that because his personal inner issues make it impossible to hold his head up high and be proud to risk his life forthe people of the country. We respect our soldiers now because they are fighting for our rights, our lives, and our land. These things werent stuff Sonny could fight for because he didnt have any.

Another reason I thought of is  in the army you are stipped of your identidy you become a nation a group. You are trained to not only be brothers but to be twins. From the uniform to the way you walk, act, even say hello. So it is ironic to me that someone which such "identity" issues would want to be in the army.

3) The song I chose is called it "its like reaching for the moon." This song is an odd choice because it is a love song. But, the reason I chose it is because the lyrics are unrealistic. He is looking for this person he love ( which I believe exist. Everyone has a soul mate to me.) But he describes how unrealistic it is  he will never reach the moon, the sun, or the stars but he is still looking for his love.  just like Sonny you is trying to create a new and improved him which is possible but he goes on to do it in unrealistic way. To me Sonny thinks rejecting who he is and where he is from and running away will help him but as hard as someone tried running from/ or rejecting who you are and where you come from doesnt help you create a new and improved you. IT just destroys you slowly inside.  Also just like the song Sonny doesnt think much of himself on who he is. He almost makes me feel that if he had to describe himself he would make others seem so much higher than him. Just like the song " you are so far above me". I can see Sonny thinking that which is the reason why he is running from who he is.


It's like reaching for the moon
It's like reaching for the sun
It's like reaching for the stars
Reaching for you

You're so far above me
How can i expect than an angel to
It's so refined as you are

It's like flying without wings
Playing fiddle without strings
And a million other things
No one can do
No, my hopes are slender
In my secret heart i pray you'll surrender soon
No, it's like reaching for the moon 

4) bepop is the perfect type of music for Sonny to me. Bepop is free, original at all times, on the spot and completely spontaneous. To me this music represents everything Sunny wishes he could be and everything he isnt. Bepop is free- Sonny feels trapped. Bepop is original- Sonny is trying to find himself. Bepop is spontaneous- Sonny wants to do so much but is constantly dealing with conflicts. The most interesting this is Bepop cannot be expressed if he person feels like he is caged in. Bepop is something free no one can tell you if you bepop the wrong or right way because it isnt wrong or right. people can just tell you if they like it or not. Sonny felt like the life he was given or had wasnt the right one at all. you could "tell Sonny  if the life he had was wrong or right even tell him if his actions and decision where right or wrong. But you could NEVER do that to beppop because it is your own rhythm you own blues.