||| ARMYTAGE.NET ||||

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)

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

Falling Action: Grace'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"

"Am I Blue"

"Am I Blue?"

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 Count Basie (m) Jimmy Rushing (l) Jimmy Rushing w The Dave Brubeck Quartet rec August 4th 1960 also rec by Jimmy Rushing w Count Basie & his Orch '30's 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!

-A Gospel Song sung by a woman at a street revival meeting: "If I Could Hear My Mother Pray Again"

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.

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.

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.

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.

-God Be with You till We Meet Again

God be with you till we meet again,

By His counsels guide, uphold you,

With His sheep securely fold you,