Introduction to English Literature 2024
 

 

 

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


Exposition: Sonny's arrest and a meeting with Sonny's friend(pp. 93-97)


Rising Action:

-Narrator's reunion with Sonny(driving home scene, pp. 97-99)

-Flashback 1(Mom's story of their uncle's death, pp.100-102

-Flashback 2(Narrator's confrontation with Sonny about his dream of becoming a Jazz musician, pp. 102-105)

-Flashback 3(Sonny's fleeing from Isabel's family and enlistment with Navy, pp. 105-106)

 

Climaxthe second confrontation of Narrator and Sonny(p. 107)

 

Falling  ActionGrace's death and Narrator's conversation with Sonny(pp. 107-112): 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


Resolution and Denouement: Nightclub scene(pp. 112-115): 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. 103)

 

 

 

"Am I Blue?"(p. 114) 

 


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. 107)
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. 108)

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!

 

If I Could Hear My Mother Pray Again(p. 109)

 

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  1. How sweet and happy seem those days of which I dream,
    When memory recalls them now and then!
    And with what rapture sweet my weary heart would beat,
    If I could hear my mother pray again.
    • Refrain:
      If I could hear my mother pray again,
      If I could hear her tender voice as then!
      So glad I’d be, ’twould mean so much to me,
      If I could hear my mother pray again.
  2. She used to pray that I on Jesus would rely,
    And always walk the shining gospel way;
    So trusting still His love, I seek that home above,
    Where I shall meet my mother some glad day.
  3. Within the old home-place her patient, smiling face
    Was always spreading comfort, hope and cheer;
    And when she used to sing to her eternal King,
    It was the songs the angels loved to hear.
  4. Her work on earth is done, the life-crown has been won,
    And she will be at rest with Him above;
    And some glad morning she, I know, will welcome me
    To that eternal home of peace and love.


A Film Adaptation of Sonny's Blues

 

 

 

 

  Related Links

Wiki on Charlie Parker    

The Text of Sonny's Blues from the 12th edition    

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Related Binaries

Sonny_s Blues Plot Analysis and Key Passages(March 12 and 14 2024) .pptx  Baldwin ppt 2

 

 

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