James Baldwin's "Sonny's Blues" (1957) is a story about an agnst-driven balck boy growing up in a racist society. Sonny has a talent for music and wants to become a jazz pianist; however, to his pratically-minded brother, this desire is merely a pipe dream. The reconciliation of the two brothers is finally reached when the narrator begins to understand Sonny's music and his anguish.
Sonny's motto can be put like this: "I play, therefore I am." In other words, his existence hinges on the insuppressible desire to produce art, to get people listen. Growing up in the impoverished neighborhood of Harlem and breathing the poisonous atmosphere of racial discrimination, Sonny has a visceral experience of pain, discontentment, and profound frustration resulting from social injustice. As he says to his brother: "It's terrible sometimes, inside..., that's what's the trouble. You walk these streets, black and funky and cold, and there's not really a living ass to talk to, and there's nothing shaking, and there's no way of getting it out--that storm inside" (105). This "storm inside" triggers him to produce art, since artist is a soul in turmoil.
Sonny has a dream, a dream that is unconventional, daring and even provocative given his socio-economic situation. What is your dream? Does your dream conform to the mainstream expectation of our society? Or do you dare to dream an impossible dream that does not follow the standardized idea of success? If you are still unsure of your dream, maybe you can talk about what you have learned from reading "Sonny's Blues." What has the story inspired you?
28 comments:
Everyone needs a dream, although the dream will not come true. I think the words in this essay "people can't always do exactly what they want to do" is real because the world is not always smooth. Sometimes, we need to give up our dream for living. But, before we give up, we have to try our best. We shouldn’t give up our dream without doing anything. I’ll work hard for my dream although it may not come true. I don’t want to feel regretful after doing decision for my life.
In Sonny’s blue, James Baldwin shows the theme of suffering by through point of view, setting, characterization, and plot. Actually, I can hardly imagine the dreamer, Sonny, feel certain to chase his fond dream in the age of discrimination. In Harlem, blacks always be depreciated in their race, class division and social position. For this reason, the extremely dark side in Sonny’s inner world. I really admire him for his courage to break through hedge in that environment. Sonny proves one proverb that said,” There are dreams unless first, everything is not all good”. Maybe he definitely realizes that what he can do to get out off the darkness is to pursue his dream which helps himself to transform his suffering and tragedy into promising life.
When I graduated from senior high school, I was dreaming of being a costume designer. I communicated with my parents several times, of course, they gave me wise and clever suggestions. However, considering the reality of the circumstance, I gave up majoring the subject in my university. That doesn’t mean I put my dream away. The more I grow up, the more I can think over carefully and maturely. I’ll get in touch with the domain and regard it as my interest not my career. That’s I really want to do.
By the way, Sonny’s personality reminds me of Man of La Mancha(Don Quixote). There is a famous song ” The Impossible Dream” that represents the determination of chasing the dream. How powerful! The following is the lyrics of the song. I hope you guys could enjoy it. XD
To dream the impossible dream
To fight the unbeatable foe
To bear with unbearable sorrow
To run where the brave dare not go
To right the unrightable wrong
To love pure and chaste from afar
To try when your arms are too weary
To reach the unreachable star
This is my quest, to follow that star
No matter how hopeless, no matter how far
To be willing to give when there's no more to give
To be willing to die so that honor and justice may live
And I know if I'll only be true to this glorious quest
That my heart will lie peaceful and calm when I'm laid to my rest
And the world will be better for this
That one man scorned and covered with scars
Still strove with his last ounce of courage
To reach the unreachable star
You can watch the short film through the website of youtube: http://tw.youtube.com/watch?v=sZE4KGB6Wt4
Well, my dream...that is a nice question. I have a lot of dreams, used to; until I realize that the reality is too harsh to have a dream. People live to dream, and dream to live; it is barely possible to say that you don’t have a dream. As for us human, it is something that gives us strength and courage to deal with pressure and drawbacks, which is impossible to walk alone without it.
But, there is always a B-U-T. There is times come the darkness of life; darkness of hope that everything seems pointless and torturing. There are days that you don’t feel right to do anything and prompt to anything you have been dreaming. You stop and ask yourself: Why? Why in the world I have such thoughts? Why everyone does have a dream that is achievable but mine? Why is my dream so vague and unreachable? Then, the ultimate question comes on top of all this: What is the meaning of life? Of course there is the answer to that; no one does. And the chaotic mind is scatter in to thousand pieces with an urgent to have a “real” dream, by the time when failure appears so often, it ends without a sign.
At last, it could be said that I cannot distinguish the dreams itself from the plans I made for living. I chose not to have a “normal dream”; that I dream to have a dream.
It wasn’t really a dream then, but it is still a dream of mine.
I dream to HAVE a dream, what’s your dream?
What I learned from "Sonny's Blues" is the problem that still exists in modern society. Not the problem of racial discrimination, but the minority in today's society. They face the same problem as Sonny does. Because they are minority, their rights to do something will certainly be damaged, unfortunately. So, I think the minority need to be optimistic to the situation they met. It's hard I know. Stick to their dreams, maybe they will come true, just like Sonny did; thought it takes lots of efforts to reach the goal.
I don't have a dream. After knowing how hard the environment is, I can't help but doubt what on earth we have to own a dream. As Mke said, the reality is too harsh for us to have a dream. I prefer a dream which is attainable, not the one which can't be reached. I guess everyone has a dream once, but as we grow older, we realize the disparity between dream and reality.
I think everybody has their own dream, such as being a musician, being a lawyer, having a sweet life with the other one, sleeping all the time, and so on…I do think having a dream is the best thing in our life. If we achieve our dream already, how wonderful mood we will have!! However, I think the author is right. In this society, the dream will be difficult to exist. This is because so many pressures that repress the dream to come true, including the financial question, ability’s problems, and so on. Only by continuing the effort can we achieve. Nonetheless, in this environment, how difficult is it?
I have a dream. The dream is to become a English teacher. This dream seems that is wonderful for the ancient time. Nevertheless, nowadays, it is a stupid dream. Many people stop me to dream this stupid dream. In this society, teacher is enough. If you make this decision, maybe you will be the stray teacher. I know. I realized the situation about the teacher now. But it is my dream, I want to achieve it. No matter what life I will face, it is the way I choose.
I listened a song before….The name is I have a dream
I have a dream , a song to sing
To help me cope with anything
If you see the wonder of fairy tale
You can take the future even if you fail
I believe in angles
Something good in everything I see
I believe in angles
When I know the time is right for me
I'll cross the stream -
I have a dream
Share it to everyone! It is good lyrics for me.
After reading the article - Sonny's Blues,I am so admiring for Sonny's courage to pursue his goal. Although Sonny's brother isn't support that his ambition to become a musician,he still insist his dream.In today's society,many people are forced to give up their dreams owing to confirm to the mainstream expectation of the community.Everyone must have their dreams in the mind,but how many people can realize their dreams?I have a dream as well.My dream is to become an English teacher.I still remembered that my first essay topic is "My dream" when I was an elementary school student.I wrote down my dream was to become an English teacher.Still now,this ambition does not change.That is why Itake a option to major in English in the university because I want to learn more skills of English.I hope I can make progress in speaking,writing and listening.And one day I am able to have ability to teach other people.I believe that my dream will come true one day!
Many friends of mine will say I an a dream-maker.Indeed,I like to weave dreams,for future or for what will never happen.I often dream that some day in the future I will become a seretary,so useful and helpful that my boss cannot work without me.But the fact is I am a girl who is very absent-minded,always doing wrong thing because of carelessness.I plan all program brfore I start to do something,but I just do not know that why I just break down everything eventually.That is the fact,I will not be the person I want to be.But I still dream it.Why not?!
As far as I am concerned,dreams just like a power,letting you advance toward your goals.Maybe it is unpractical;nevertheless,it can encourge you,at least,to me is workable.
I know sometimes reality may conflict with dream,anyone will say that practicality is cruel,which cannot be denied.However,there also has a proverb says it's wonderful to dream ,hasn't it?
I have had a lot of dreams since I was a little girl.When I was a elementary school student,I wanted to become a doctor who can help many people get away from diseases.The dream still exist.However,there is something changes-my goal became vague because I was not good at the subject which is the college acquirement.After I was high school student,I got a crash on architecture.Everything suddenly became clear.I wanted to be an architect and it seemed like natural ablilty.But thing weren't what I thought.I tried very hard to overcome my difficulties,but in vain.I was very disappointed.At that time,I realized that dreams sometimes just dreams.I am not regretful to spend time persuing my dream,and I am not going to give up my goal.The subject can't be the obstructer.I believe there are other ways to make my dream come true.If not,I think I am very close to dream.Vincent Van Gogh is a successful painter.Do you now how old he was to start to paint?About thirty!And his paintings are treasures after he died.That is ,anything is possible;The future is unknown.We have many chances to create our world.
There is something interesting"Impossible-I'm possible."
Don't give up your dream so quickly.
Having a dream is a gift. It brings us hope. In the story, Sonny is a dreamer. He dares to dream big and stick on it. I think Sonny is so courageous. No matter how unfriendly the environment was, he still kept his dream. In real world, we face this situation too. The real life is cruel. You have to think about how to make a balance between dream and living. I think to fulfill your dream is important. You should do something about it. Otherwise, your dream will just be a dream. I think we ought to do what we want to do, what else are we alive for? Do you dare to dream? Just think be to be big, and stick on it. Make your dream come true.
It is the happiest thing when you can enjoy your work as a really fun time. However, you probably find that it is difficult to achieve when the reality wakes you up from your dream. In the story, Sonny is facing the exactly problem. The more I read the story the more felt the same way.
I intend to be a journalist because I love to write my opinions and compare differences from cultures. Nevertheless, in our society, earning more money is the first option for choosing an ideal job. Becoming a journalist is certainly not the best choice.
I don’t want to be that type of person who is just“money hungry”. However, I still cannot tell whether I will give up my dream or not. I just hope I won’t become Sonny. Hopefully, I can strike the balance between my ideal dream and the harsh reality.
I think I am a person having a lot of dreams. Since I was a little girl ,I have started to have dreams. I hope I can go to the outer space, all around world ,flying into the sky, play with polar bear ,talk to animals, have a band with friends, become a good basketball player,have a restaurant,and so on. Sometimes people around me would say that you are daydreaming . However. I think if we don't have dream , how can we have the motivation and courage to achieve them. And I also feel wonderful when I think of my dream.
Although sometimes in reality, we can't attain everything we want and desire. It doesn't mean we can't have a dream when we grow older. We stiil can try to fulfill our dream. If we can success ,it would really good.But if not,the procedure can be a priceless experience for us.
After reading ‘Sony’s blues’, I am very impressed by how courageous Sony is in pursuing his dream. Even though he suffers from racial discrimination and all the bad things in his childhood, he still holds on to his dream which is to become a jazz pianist. I think it is significant for Sony to have his brother support him at the end of the story. After all, family support is something that pushes us to get closer to our dreams.
When I was a child, I had a lot of dreams. I wanted to be a ballet dancer, a pianist, or a kindergarten teacher. As time goes on, my dreams are different from the past, but I still have dreams. For me, it is important to have dreams. Without dreams, lives would be so plain and boring.
Nowadays, it is hard to decide whether to fulfill your dream or give in to the reality. No matter what we choose, we need to be responsible to ourselves and have no regrets. Once you make up your mind, just go for it!
I think everyone have a lot of dreams, but most of them are untouchable and unachievable. My parents always tell me that I have to do a person who has accomplishment, and I should not waste my time on some useless thing. Although the so-called "useless thing" is my dream, they just forbid it. I am really upset to hear that because i think my life will be flavorless without those dreams. Actually, my parents just want to tell me that the world is crucial, so they have to tell me that I can't have a dream.
Recently I read some articles about fulfilling dreams. The article says that unpractical dreams is the base of practical world, and I am really touched by these words. The article reminds me that I should continue to fulfill my dream. No matter how hard it is, to fulfill a dream will be a irreplaceable achievement. If I am controlled by the world, I gain nothing of my own. I make up my mind to fulfill my dream, and I will try my best to do it.
I believe everyone has a dream. Most of our dreams aren't easy to fulfill or even impossible to achieve. I admire the courage Sonny has to be a musician though his brother deeply oppose. When I encounter an obstacle, sometimes I will flee away and don't want to face it, to say nothing of the strong courage to procure my dream. Many people are also forced to give up their dream due to family or job. So, after I read this story, I know everyone has to have courage to do anything.
I've once read a paragraph that says, " Do not afraid to have a dream, since the dream can drive us to work harder for our final goal." I can't agree with this statement anymore.
The story showed readers to criticize the big American dream. Most of us think that there are a lot of dream will come true in America. For example, children dream in the Disneyland Park, capitalists dream to make money. Moreover, most of people are influenced by cultural imperialism in America such as McDonald, Disney, and the like. After read "Sonny's Blues", it inspired me to review my personal perspective about American culture. In fact, there are a lot of problem in America. For Sonny, he thought there was a racial discrimination, ethnic disparity over there. In my past learning in Indigenous of Language and Communication, we read about what are racial discrimination, racial prejudice, and disparity. Most of people use their stereotypes to judge anything. Probably they would consider that white was beautiful. Being rich and famous was very important in social status. Nevertheless, they forget to judge themselves such as their stereotypes, ideological, and so on.
I first dream is to earn a lot of money and move to the America. The second dream is to save money and go see the aurora. My dreams are simple, but why couldn't dreams be unrealistic or maybe almost impossible to reach? In fact, though I said my dreams are simple, I don't even know if I could achieve it. It might be impossible for me, too. Why not? Dreams can make life better. If a child have a dream, he would work more harder to make the dream come true. Even though as he grow older, he finds it not that easy, he would make more effort to reach the goal. Having dreams are good, even if the dreams are kind of hared to reach, it is good as long we don't make any effort and thus become a daydreamer.
It seems that the younger I was the more dreams I used to have before. As my age grow, I can more realize what the reality is. When I was very little, my families always appreciate my painting work and said I had a talent for it. So I was always excitedly imaging being an artist waving my hands on the paper. I was also interested in calligraphy or handiwork and so on. When I grow up I found such things were more like entertainments, something I will do as a hobby, but it would never be a job. I could only practiced my calligraphy in the free time. For now my dream is to travel around the world, it might needs courage and much extra time to achieve, but I will not stop trying to complete my dreams no matter how long it takes.
Every one should have a dream of their lives. People may work very hard to make their dreams come true so that their lives can become worthy or voluble. I don’t know what exactly my dream is by so far, however, I have expectation on myself to become a person that every one will like. Sometime it is ridiculous because in the reality that is impossible because it must be someone not totally agrees with your personality or argument. If you want to become a people that every one will like, sometimes you will lose yourself because you have to carter to others opinion. I want to be a person of independent thinking and do myself although I still considering who I am or what other people regard me. I m confused.
Do I have a impossible dream that does not follow the standardized idea of success？I ask myself .And the answer is ：in fact I don’t have it .
Since I was little , I have the dreams that everyone will also have .Being a teacher is my first dream but I give up few years later .And being a translator is my second dream which maintains in my heart till now .Rules always follow behind me to tell the correct action I should do ,what I shouldn’t do .Therefore I am a well-behaved person living in a frame .
Different from me ,my younger brother is creative in life .He always has several crazy ideas and his thoughts is totally not my type .One time he even mentioned that he want to go abroad for being a cooker .He was at the age of thirteen at that time .I am proud of him and think incredibly as well .
Looking at Sonny lets me think of my brother due to the similarity between them .Especially Sonny is a black person ,it is more harder to achieve his dream .
”Courage” is what I learned from this story .With time passing by ,I have changed a lot ,too .Now I will do more strange things to make myself happier . Maybe someday in the future I will be brave enough to chase what I want without any hesitation .
Many people say that “Everyone should have a dream.” But, to me, this “easy” ability has lost. I don’t know my dream of my future. When I first saw the question in the blog, I was astonished to find that I did not have any dream of my future. This discovery made me feel upset. I used to have a dream. When I studied in the elementary school, I wished I could be a teacher. Time flies, now I will think of some real problems, for example, finical problems. It’s hard to be a teacher now. Too many people, but too less positions. And I don’t think I’m excellent enough to win the precious position. If I insist to be a teacher, I will starve. I don’t have enough money to pay for the cost of my daily life. So I give up this dream. Irony, after giving up the dream, I can’t find other dream anymore.
The reality is cruel. Sound upset, isn’t it? But that is reality.
When I was in the kindergarten, I wanted to be a teacher or a musician.
Nevertheless, my dreams keeps increasing and changing so far.
By now, what I really want is to be an interpreter.
I think the changes of dreams have something to do with the things we are now doing and facing.
Reality is always cruel; it makes dreams so important to us.
No matter what your dreams are, the very important thing is how hard you work for it.
A friend of mine dreamed to be an interior designer,
but she applied a job of international trade in order to fulfill her parents' wishes.
She didn't give up her dreams because she often learn about interior design by herself.
Maybe one day she will become those she dreams to be.
Such as I mentioned before, I am not a tough girl. I don’t want to have too much adversity, so I hope I can have a smooth going life. Good friends, a good husband, ordinary and warm family and some cute children; no pain and sad. It is my dream. Some of my friends say that I was a “small women”, and think I should be more ambitious. But I think this is OK, everyone has different thoughts about dream.
I dream--I dream a dream of being able to indulge myself in one thing like what Sonny does--having a storm inside, and find no way
getting out; I don't know when I can find it. This dream may conform the mainstream or may not; I don't know specifically now.
The "very cup of trembling" of Sonny's dream is at the end well realized by the narrator (Sonny's brother). Life is colorful with dream though it might bring affliction.
Everyone has a dream, and so do I. I dream of doing what I want to. I wish one day I can travel all around the world, learn to dance and sing, and I don't have to worry about economical problems. But I know it is almost impossible because when I grow up, I have to take care of myself. I can't always depend on my parents. If I can't find a good job, it is hard to do those things. But if someday I have chance, I would do my best to reach my goal.
I can't make sure what my dream is now. I always admire those who exactly know what their dream is and try every means to fulfill it, especially, I admire those who are living under an unfair society or discrimination can insist on pursuing their dream and finally they succeeds. After reading Sonny's Blues, I realize that if I have a dream, I should try do my best to fulfill it it; no matter what how others look down you or say you can't make it or something like that. Even if nobody can understand me at that time, all I should is trust myself and do as much as I can. If a man doesn't have a dream, then, it's hard to find what his meaning of life.
It’s easier to have a dream than chase it. I’ve heard many people have dreams, but they seldom make effort to fulfill their dreams. Actually, I’m one of the people who didn’t try hard. Because we are to busy to dealing with the reality. Most of all, we are afraid if we devote our attention to try to make it happen but do not get anything in the end. It’s too hard to take that, so we all chose a safe way to ensure our life will be easier.
From this story I've learned that no matter how hard the times would be,or when the environment around is totally against you,as long as you stick to your own dreams,you will get there some day in the future.
Why do people have dreams?Why think of things that we aren't sure of?True,dreams may be unrealistic or even absurd,but that's also the essence of dreams,it doesn't need a particular purpose or reason.it's a space for us to think outside the box,to go way beyond our imaginations.How many people who had enormous breakthroughs in history haven't suffered the scorn and mockery of society?Their dreams seemed impossible,but they never gave up.
I'm not saying that dreams have to be grand and spectacular,it could be simple,too.In fact,the point is about finding the meaning of life,and dreams are like shinning beacons of hope that lead us on our path.Some say that dreams are just a form of autohypnosis,I can't say they're wrong.After all,there are many attitudes toward life,optimistic and pessimistic.
I don't have a clear vision of my dream for now,perhaps it changes too often that even I can't figure it out myself.One thing I can be sure of,I will always have dreams.It makes me feel alive.
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