Sonny's Blues

The narrator did not always believe in Sonny’s dream to be a musician. He thought it was a waste of time and hated the idea of him dropping out of school to play the piano, he thought Sonny could do better. But at the end of the novel, the narrator went to see his brother play for the first time. He saw the way Sonny played and the way the crowed reacted. At that instance, the narrator realized that Sonny’s music could help who ever listened, by setting them free. The things Sonny had suffered in his life were heard through his music. Some listeners could relate to certain feelings, since most of them were suffering just as Sonny was. Others could learn from Sonny’s mistakes that caused him to suffer. The narrator realized that Sonny’s purpose in life was to play music. Sonny could have an affect on people through his music, like the narrator has an effect on his students when he teaches. Sonny’s music also gave his listeners hope, hope that their lives would be better. They live in a horrible situation, which it is difficult to escape; the music helps and prevents them from being pushed over the edge by the environment they live in. Though the music helps the listeners, it also helps Sonny keep going. Playing the piano allows him to express himself to the audience, but also allows him to release all the stress and anxiety that is bottled up in him.