Introduction to English Literature(2020-1)
 

 1. The Plot Stages of "Sonny's Blues"


Exposition: Sonny's arrest and a meeting with Sonny's friend(pp.67-71)


Rising Action:

-Narrator's reunion with Sonny(driving home scene, pp.71-73)

-Flashback 1(Mom's story of their uncle's death, pp.75-78) 

-Flashback 2(Narrator's confrontation with Sonny about his dream of becoming a Jazz musician, pp.78-82))

-Flashback 3(Sonny's fleeing from Isabel's family and enlistment with Navy, pp.82-83)

 

Climaxthe second confrontation of Narrator and Sonny(p.83)

 

Falling  ActionGrace's death and Narrator's conversation with Sonny(pp.83-89)


Resolution and Denouement: Nightclub scene(pp.89-93)

 

Reading of a few passages from "Sonny's Blues"


1. Exposition(pp.67-71)

-the way the important facts are revealed to the readers

 

2. Rising Action(pp.71-83)

-Narrator's reunion with Sonny(driving home scene, pp.71-73): going back to the past the two brothers share

-Flashback 1(Mom's story of their uncle's death, pp.75-78)

-Flashback 2(Narrator's confrontation with Sonny about his dream of becoming a Jass musician, pp.78-82)

-Flashback 3(Sonny's fleeing from Isabel's family and enlistment with Navy, pp. 82-83)


3. Climax: the second confrontation of Narrator and Sonny(pp.83)


4. Falling Action(pp.83-89)Grace's death; the theme of "suffering," a sacrifice. Narrator's conversation with Sonny listening to an old-fashioned revival meeting: a hint of redemption

 

5. Resolution and Denouement: Nightclub scene(pp.89-93): the narrator's recognition of the value of the music Sonny has devoted himself to, "the cup of trembling" as a sign of forgiveness and redemption. 

 

 

Some Jazz(or Gospel) Numbers mentioned in the text  

 

-Charlie "Bird" Parker, "Groovin' High" (p. 79)

 

 

 

 

 


"Am I Blue?"(p. 92)
 

Am I blue, am I blue
Ain't these tears in my eyes telling you
Am I blue, you'd be too
If each plan with your man done fell through

Was a time I was his only one
But now I'm the sad and lonely one, lonely
Was I gay till today
Now he's gone and we're through, am I blue

Was I gay till today
Now he's gone and we're through, am I blue
Oh he's gone, he left me, am I blue


"Blues in the Dark"(p. 83)
Count Basie with The Dave Brubeck Quartet
 
Kind treatment make me love you, be mean and you'll drive me away,
Kind treatment make me love you, be mean and you'll drive me away,
You're gonna long for me, baby, one of these old rainy days!

Did you ever dream, lucky baby, and wake up cold in hand?
Did you ever dream, lucky baby, and wake up cold in hand?
You didn't have a dollar, and somebody had your woman!

Woman, raise your right hand, and swear that you've been true.
Put it down!
Yes, raise your right hand, baby, and swear that you've been true.
Put it down!
Say you've been a real good woman, like the good man I've been to you!

Did you ever dream, lucky baby, and wake up cold in hand?
Did you ever dream, lucky baby, and wake up cold in hand?
You didn't have a dollar, and somebody had your woman, oh yeah!

Tell the truth, man!

Play it, Holme!

Did you ever dream, lucky babe, and wake up cold in hand, oh yeah?



"Old Ship of Zion"(p. 85)

1 'Tis the ol' ship of Zion,

'Tis the ol' ship of Zion,

'Tis the ol' ship of Zion;

Get on board, get on board!

 

2 It has landed many a thousand,

It has landed many a thousand,

It has landed many a thousand;

Get on board, get on board!

 

-A Film Adaptation of Sonny's Blues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Related Binaries

James Baldwin Part I.pptx  James Baldwin Part I

James Baldwin Part II.pptx  James Baldwin Part II

James Baldwin Part III.pptx  James Baldwin Part III

James Baldwin Part IV.pptx  James Baldwin Part IV

 

  Related Links

Wiki on Sonny's Blues

 

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