what do u thing about "Sonny’s Blues"?

Question

in what important respects do the two brothers differ from one another in “Sonny’s Blues”? What kind of values does each reflect?

Answer 1

Excellent question. I wish the story was still fresh in my mind.

I can remember the one brother taking the safe route and being "happy" in the sense that he was safe and protected.

Sonny, on the other hand, had lived a hard life. It was, however, a life that he mostly chose on his own. Not to mention, while he didn't have a solid life it is quite obvious that he loves what he does and enjoys a freedom of expression and life that his brother does not.

Answer 2

Sonny is the maverick artist. His older brother is the sensible guy who tries to take care of Sonny. While Sonny loses out on the material things in life because of the lack of order and stability in life, his brother loses out on the great emotional highs and lows that an artist feels and creates.

Answer 3

The algebra teacher, who by the way has no name and is therefore literally the unknown (X), is aware of the racism within American society. As a black man he is disadvantaged. He disagrees with his position in society. He doesn't actively rebel. Instead, he tries to imitate white society. He believe that the more he internalizes white culture, the more white he becomes, the more likely he is to be accepted in American society. The other brother Sonny is a complete rebellion. He wants to be the complete opposite of everything America stands for .