James Baldwin’s short story, “Sonny’s Blues,” includes many motifs. However, three of these motifs really stand out to me: Biblical allusions, suffering, and music. “The biblical foundation of James Baldwin’s ‘Sonny’s Blues’” by James Tackach elaborates on the biblical aspects of this short story. “Troubled reading: ‘Sonny’s Blues’” by Eva Kowalska shows the suffering and musical emphasis in this short story.
Two main biblical texts form the foundation of Baldwin’s story: the Cain and Abel story from the Book of Genesis and the parable of the Prodigal Son from the Gospel of Luke. Baldwin most likely had extensive knowledge on these two Bible stories considering that the King James Bible was his favorite book to read during his childhood in Harlem, New York. Baldwin grew up listening to sermons in churches, reading the bible, and living in fear of his stepfather who was also a minister. “Sonny’s Blues” is a contemporary retelling of the parable of the Prodigal…show more content… Grace’s fall reminds the narrator of both Sonny’s fall and his own fall from grace for ignoring the promise that he made to his mother not to let Sonny fall. Unlike the Cain of Genesis, the narrator of “Sonny’s Blues” has the possibility of redemption. Like the sinners in the book of Isaiah, Sonny has sinned by drinking from the cup of trembling. Also, like the people of Jerusalem in the Old Testament story, Sonny has suffered God’s fury, but is now is free from affliction. Sonny’s personal cup of trembling has become a shining halo above Sonny’s head. Sonny’s sinning and suffering has turned him into a saint. The narrator is also redeemed because he, unlike the Cain of Genesis, has accepted the responsibility to be his brother’s
