Today's blog is on "Sonny's Blues"
#1 1 - Research the setting of “Sonny’s Blues” – Harlem, NYC.
- "Sonny's Blues" is based in Harlem, NYC which is in the borough of Manhanttan. Harlem is known to be a "black neighborhood" and somewhat of a ghetto. At that period , Harlem was going through a "face-lift" in terms of a economic developement and cultural preservation.
http://www.harlemheritage.com/harlem_history.shtml
2 – How does the setting affect/shape Sonny’s character and create
conflict/complications in the story?
- Well, Sonny seems to be a bit of a rebel. He wasn't a fan of school, but, instead
preferred to laze around and play music. Harlem being the place it was, promoted 'dark' activity, for example, drugs, gangs and crimes. Sonny was at a very influencial age when he starting adopting such habits. He probably followed what he saw on the street corners. In addition to that, it caused conflict as what he was being taught at home (by his parents) did not co-relate with what was happening outside his home (negative influences, such as friends and people on the corner).
#2 1 – Research the history of African-American men in the military – Pre-Civil
Rights movement.
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2 – Why is it ironic that Sonny wants to enlist?
- It is ironic that Sonny wants to enlist because he is such a rebel. He does not like school; therefore, how would he be able to cope with or like the uniformity of the military?
#3 1 – Research song lyrics by Billie Holiday. Find a song or verse that you feel best
represents the suffering of Sonny – his blues. Include song title and lyrics here.
- The Blues Are Brewin'
When the moon's kind of dreamy
Starry eyed and dreamy
And nights are luscious and long
If you're kind of lonely
And all by your only
Then nothin' but the blues are brewin
'The blues are brewin'
When the wind through the willow
Blows across your pillow
And tells you sleepin' is wrong
If love goes a thirsting
Till you feel like bursting
Then nothing but the blues are brewin
'The blues are brewin'
http://www.billieholidaysongs.com/lyrics_the_blues_are_brewin.htm
2 - Explain why.
- This song suits how Sonny is feeling because it talks about how 'lonely-ness' feels and how you feel when you are lonely and depressed. Sonny felt that he didn't belong anywhere and that he was in the way of other people. The song gives an incite of how Sonny felt through his struggles and suffering.
#4 1 – Research Bebop.
Bebop originated between the 1940s and the 1950s. It is a style of music that incoporates "fast tempos, complex harmonies, intricate melodies, and rhythm sections that laid down a steady beat only on the bass and the drummer's ride cymbal".
http://www.wnur.org/jazz/styles/bebop.html
2 – Bebop is the music that Sonny favors. What does the music represent
politically and socially to Sonny? What does the music represent to Sonny’s
brother?
- The Bebop music is fast paced and sporadic which fits Sonny's personality well as Sonny was one person this week and then was a totally different person the next ( for example, he was going to school consistently at one point and then starting skipping school so he could concentrate on playing the piano).
- The music, to Sonny's Brother, meant something that was different and new, which didn't represent stability. Sonny's brother wanted Sonny him to be persistent at something and stable in his life... in other words, he didn't want his brother to 'fall off the wagon' and get lost or caught up in something negative.
