Christopher Bonilla Angela F. Jacobs ENC 1102 17 April 2014 Sonnys Blues Annotated Bibliography Donald C.

Murray, James Baldwins Sonnys Blues: Complicated and Simple Studies in Short Fiction, 14 (1977), 353-357. This source has many examples that pertain to the short story itself. It explains certain key situation in which the most change has happened to the major characters. For example, it explains scenes in which the narrator read about his brother in the newspaper and the scene in which the narrator confronts Sonnys drug friend. The narrator realizes that his brother has changed from the last time he spoke with him and wants to change it all. Murray has done a great job in explaining the key points in this story. This source specifically concentrates on various themes rather than trying to summarize the symbols, characters, or themes. This explains these topics, but it using examples to back it the argument. It compares to my other sources as well as giving a brief introduction to the part of the story that changed it all. This source was beneficial because it gave me a better understanding of the characters and themes by providing examples to support it. James Baldwin. Sonnys BluesThe Norton Introduction to Literature. 11thed. Ed. Kelly J. Mays. New York: Norton, 2012. 95-118. Print This source contains a brief summary of how James Baldwin, the author, has become a important spokesman for civil rights and racial equality in America. There is an introduction of

the conflict right off the back when the narrator finds out that his younger brother has been sent to prison for the using and selling Heroin. This story consists of many issues that this family has to overcome when Sonny comes back to his hometown. There are many symbols and themes that make this story unique such as what the heroin symbolizes and how the suffering in black people is portrayed. The difference that this source has that my other sources do not contain is a full detailed analysis and description of the story. There are many symbols to be find and a full characterization analysis of each character that has been affected by Sonny s situation. This story would be considered biased because he shows how poor Sonny has made his choices such as using heroin and continuing with his Jazz band. This short story is the base of my research paper and is going to be used to gather information of the various characters and themes this story has to offer. Laurie Champion, Literary Contexts in Short Stories: James Baldwins Sonnys Blues.Literary Contexts in Poetry and Short Stories; 2006. P1-1. This source contains an introduction about how it is in first person view of Sonnys brother. It gives a background about the narrator and the issues from past to present that Sonny and the narrator have faced throughout their lifetime. It specifically goes into depth the symbolism of the jazz music that Sonny enjoys to play, but is a burden, according to the narrator. Champion discusses the historical context that is behind this story such as that it is set during the mid-fifties, before the Civil Rights Movement which is important because racism was flourishing during the time. Unlike the other sources, this source goes into depth of history during which the story is taking place. It also gives me an insight of how music is the most significant motif in the story.

For example, it talks about how Sonny realizes that his music is the only meaning in life. As a result, it is a way to escape from his problems that he was facing. This source is necessary to explain into depth of how Sonny and his Jazz music are connected and how the history behind the story affects the themes. Robert P. Mcparland, To the Deep Water: James Baldwins Sonnys Blues (New York Library of America) p.861-63 The author explains how Baldwins type of writing style is told in a musical time. This source concentrated on Sonny and the symbols are significant to him. This source includes a summary of how the family dwells around death, but then reaching out for something good. The author analyzes each of the characters action that make this story interesting to read. This source concentrates on Sonny rather than the whole family in my other source. This source does contain the major theme of suffering just like my other source. This source will help me understand the symbols and how it affects Sonny and his family.

Suzy Bernstein Goldman, James Baldwins Sonnys Blues : A Message in Music, in Negro American Literature Forum, Vol. 8, no. 3, Fall, 1974, pp. 231-3. The author acknowledges James Baldwin to be a very unique type of writer. This source pinpoints various of the major characters that are included in Sonnys Blues and how each one is affected by Sonnys bad choice. It contains the major themes that portrayed such as suffering, race and racism, and art and expression. This short story has a very strong message that makes this story a must-read.

This source, compared to my other source, actually goes into depth of who the characters are and how they deal with Sonnys situation. It also gives a detailed explanation to what the themes are. This is a credible source that deals with my topics of the characters and the themes. This source has actually helped me understand how the suffering of black people and racism was contributed in this story. These theme descriptions will help me explain what James Baldwin wanted to get through the readers.