Drugs and Musicians in “Sonny’s Blues” by James Baldwin Essay

When first reading â€Å"Sonny’s Blues† by James Baldwin, it may initially seem that the relationship between musicians and drugs is synonymous. Public opinion suggests that musicians and drugs go hand and hand. The possibility lies that Sonny’s passion for jazz music is the underlying reason for his drug use, or even the world of jazz music itself brought drugs into Sonny’s life. The last statement is what the narrator believes to be true. However, by delving deeper and examining the theme of music in the story, it is nothing but beneficial for Sonny and the other figures involved. Sonny’s drug use and his music are completely free of one another. Sonny views his jazz playing as a ray of light to lead him away from the dim and dismal future†¦show more content†¦The story mentions at one point that the music stops and so does the barmaid. It has her full attention and she waits for it to start back. The music is the manipulator and she is i ts marionette waiting for it to guide her again. A few more examples that music soothes and comforts the soul are the mother gently humming while Sonny is out on the streets, Sonny’s brother, the narrator, whistles to keep from crying after reconciliation with Sonny fails. At first glance these may seem to be insignificant details, but when analyzed they prove that music is a source people lean on for comfort whenever they are in a state of worry or despair. Perhaps one of the strongest demonstrations of the power of music in â€Å"Sonny’s Blues† is the street revival. Everyone has seen these types of revivals before. Every song has been heard by the crowd, but when the music starts everyone stops, watches, and listens. â€Å"As the singing filled the air the watching, listening faces underwent a change, the eyes focusing on something within; the music seemed to soothe a poison out of them; and time seemed, nearly, to fall away from the sullen, belligerent, bat tered faces† (57). The music from the street revival helps lifts the hopelessness from the crowd and provides a sense of relief. Music is able to bring people from all walks of life together. It gives them a sense of calm and ease, an assurance that something is there to help. Music listens.Show MoreRelatedAdversity In Sonnys Blues By James Baldwin892 Words   |  4 PagesJames Baldwin’s â€Å"Sonny’s Blues† utilizes race, poverty, stereotypes, and adversity to shine a light on the struggle to escape circumstance. Throughout the text, Baldwin describes the hardships leaching the life out of Harlem’s black community from the narrator’s perspective. Sonny, the narrator’s brother, struggles with his identity and ability to feel emotion leading him to the world of music and drugs, â€Å"To be aware of oneself, Baldwin believes, is to feel a sense of loss, to know where we are andRead MoreJames Baldwin s Sonny s Blues905 Words   |  4 Pagesthere is a work by James Baldwin entitled Sonny’s Blues. What interests me about this work is the quote, â€Å"For, while the tale of how we suffer, and how we are delighted, and how we may triumph is never new, it always must be heard. There isn’t any other tale to tell, it’s the only light we’ve got in all this darkness.† In this connection, the question that I want to research is why would a man like James Baldwin represent a character like Sonny in Sonny’s Blues? James Baldwin is a man of his wordsRead MoreAnalysis Of Sonnys Blues By James Baldwin956 Words   |  4 PagesJames Baldwin was born on August 2, 1924, to a single mother in Harlem. After his mother married his stepfather David Baldwin, who was a Baptist minister, he was adopted by him. Growing up, he didn’t feel as if he was accepted the way his other siblings were, though. In some of Baldwin stories, they often have a similar story line where it seems he is the le ss favored child over everyone else. In â€Å"Sonny’s Blues,† a similar scenario is presented in some ways. While the unnamed narrator often speaksRead More Mending the Relationship of Two Brothers in James Baldwins Sonnys Blues1292 Words   |  6 PagesMending the Relationship of Two Brothers in James Baldwins Sonnys Blues According to Liukkonen, James Baldwin is well known for his novels on sexual and personal identity, and sharp essays on civil-rights struggle in the United States. Sonnys Blues is no exception to this. The story takes place in Harlem, New York in the 1950s and tells of the relationship between two brothers. The older brother, who is the narrator and a participant in the novel, remains unnamed throughout the storyRead MoreDrug Abuse In Sonnys Blues803 Words   |  4 PagesRough Draft James Baldwin’s short story â€Å"Sonny’s Blues† is a timeless piece of literature. In this story, Baldwin captures the reality of drug abuse. He tackles the aspects that accompany it, including the consequences that follow and the impact it has on others. Alongside the underlying themes of this story are memorable characters and an impactive message. â€Å"Sonny’s Blues† leads a story that can easily take place in everyday life. â€Å"Sonny’s Blues† is about two brothers. One whom is an unnamed algebraRead MoreEssay about Sonnys Blues by James Baldwin1003 Words   |  5 PagesSonny and his nameless brother in Sonnys Blues. We learn their mannerisms, hobbies, occupations, and even their addictions. It seems we learn nearly everything about the pair; minus the narrators name, as previously stated. Hearing of their histories and the pains theyve under gone, we see how they deal with their pain, which often truly tells character. Sonnys Blues isnt a story of two brothers living in a rough city; one of whom is a talented musician. The story is so much more, its theRead MoreJames Baldwin s Connections With Sonny s Blues996 Words   |  4 Pages James Baldwin’s Connections with Sonny’s Blues On August 2, 1924, in New York’s Harlem neighborhood James Author Baldwin was born. Known as one of the most influential black writers of the twentieth century, James Baldwin wrote on real issues that many people faced in the United States during his time. His writing dealt with the reality of life and tangled with everything from human sexuality, race, and poverty. He was a great reflection of his time and his short story, Sonny’s Blues showsRead MoreJames Baldwin s Reality Through Sonny1253 Words   |  6 Pages James Baldwin’s Reality through Sonny Sonny’s Blues digs deeply into the â€Å"Negro American† during Civil Rights and Jim Crow Era’s. Set in Harlem, New York in the 1950’s. James Baldwin’s stories give insight based on events of his culture and this becomes apparent through the analysis of the characters in Sonny’s Blues. James Baldwin uses his talents to paint a vivid picture of African American life through a fictional story of two brothers who choseRead MoreJames Baldwin s Sonny s Blues1452 Words   |  6 PagesJames Baldwin’s Sonny’s Blues is a short story that, for some people, could be considered a challenging read. Not because of the level of difficulty, but for the fact that it shares a lot of human angst. However, Baldwin’s story still manages to be entertaining, as well as holding many life lessons in it. Baldwin’s story teaches lessons such as; dealing with suffering, being supportive, and accepting differences. James Baldwin’s Sonn y’s Blues does a noble job of relating to the readers on variousRead MoreRacism In Sonnys Blues By James Baldwin993 Words   |  4 Pagesamount of people all over the world. Although racial bias has been around for many years, it only seems to be progressing into something that one simply cannot comprehend. In the short story â€Å"Sonny’s Blues,† the author, James Baldwin, emphasizes the lasting effect of racism throughout the story. While Baldwin vaguely expresses the impact of racial bias on the character Sonny, the audience infers the idea the author is trying to convey. In the story, racism is a significant factor of symbolism portrayed

William Golding s Lord Of The Flies - 1126 Words

Part Three Question 2: In Lord of the Flies, there’s a scene where one of the main characters, Simon has a conversation after he has passed, out with Lord of the Flies. The pig’s head speaks to him in the book version by William Golding. In contrast, in the movie version, directed by Peter Brook, Simon simply stares at the pig head, and listens to the buzzing of the flies all over the pig’s head. If I were the director, I would have done this scene another way with the pig’s head. Rather than no dialogue in the entire scene, I’d show Simon black-out. Then, when he wakes up again, I would have the camera as if it was Simon moving around, so the audience sees what Simon sees in the oncoming scene. Then, when Simon is up and about, I would have Simon’s voice narrating what he’s thinking, such as, when he’s thinking about how he needs to tell the others that the beast really isn’t so bad, after all. This would aid the confusion by putting it in Si mon’s perspective rather than just some buzzing flies on the pig’s head. However, I would still have voices in Simon’s head from the pig’s head. I think that is too key of a detail to leave out of the scene. To clarify, having Simon’s internal monologue in the situation would aid the confusion of the scene from Brook’s movie, and make the scene more intriguing. Big Question: Are Humans Inherently Good or Evil? Quote from the Bible: â€Å"So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female heShow MoreRelatedWilliam Golding s Lord Of The Flies1263 Words   |  6 PagesResearch Paper: Lord of the Flies William Golding, the author of Lord of The Flies, included adults for only a brief time throughout the novel, playing only a minor role at the end. The absence of adults exemplifies how children require the structure and guidance that only parents can provide, symbolically, how nations newly freed from the British Empire’s control would be better off under English colonial power to survive and maintain order before deteriorating into anarchy. The adults of theRead MoreWilliam Golding s Lord Of The Flies752 Words   |  4 Pagespossible, so a five year old who teases others to Adolf Hitler would be classified as perpetrators of evil. Lord of the Flies is a fictional story about a group of British boys who get stranded on island. The author of the novel Lord of the Flies, William Golding, showcases Zimbardo’s ideas in his story. Zimbardo did not form his theory Through the character development of Jack and Roger, Golding illustrates the intensity of evil when one is impacted by situational forces. Before Ralph and Piggy unifiesRead MoreWilliam Golding s Lord Of The Flies1869 Words   |  8 PagesEssay Outline – Unit 11 Introductory paragraph: Topic Sentence (includes the book title and author) The novel Lord of the flies by William Golding is a type of literature that revolves around an anti-war theme. Main Points that will be discussed in the essay presented in order of weakest to strongest: 1. Lord of the flies was written during WWII and one of the manifestations is the dead man in the parachute presumably a victim of a bombed plane. 2. Faction among the group which is similar toRead MoreWilliam Golding s Lord Of The Flies1282 Words   |  6 PagesWilliam Golding, the author of Lord of The Flies, included adults for only a brief time throughout the novel, playing only a minor role at the end. The absence of adults exemplifies how children require the structure and guidance that only parents can provide, this can be seen how nations newly freed from the British Empire’s control would be better off under English colonial power to survive and maintain order before deteriorating into anarchy. The adults of the novel can be seen as the motherRead MoreWilliam Golding s Lord Of The Flies1389 Words   |  6 PagesA response to Lord Of The Flies Imagine an airplane crash. The heat of flames scorch passengers’ backs in addition to the wind burning their faces. Lucky, this crash was over water and near an island so most passengers survive, with an exception of the airplane staff and the pilot. Even though alive, many are in fits of fear and panic, and others are in shock. 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In Lord of the Flies by William Golding there are clear aspects of leadership shown within the characterization between Jack and Ralph. I m chief, said Ralph, because you chose me. And we were going to keep the fire going. Now you run after food- (Golding 150). There is evident conflict between theRead MoreWilliam Golding s Lord Of The Flies1672 Words   |  7 Pages The Different Social Cognition of the Similar Stories — Synthesis essay of Lord of the Flies Final Project With the development of British culture, the format of Desert Island Literature has an inevitable connection with the geographical and culture heritage of the development of British history. Generally speaking, the setting of such literature is basically around an isolated island which is far from human society. The characters usually follow a primary lifestyle so that illustrate the courageRead MoreWilliam Golding s Lord Of The Flies1745 Words   |  7 Pages1954 novel, Lord of the Flies by Nobel Prize-winner William Golding is a dystopian allegory indicative of vast aspects of the human condition. Set in the midst of a nuclear war, the text details a group of marooned British school boys as they regress to a primitive state. Free from the rules and structures of civilisation and society, the boys split into factions - some attempting to maintain order and achieve common goals; others seeking anarchy and violence. The novel is based on Golding’s experienceRead MoreWilliam Golding s Lord Of The Flies1776 Words   |  8 PagesMaybe the beast is us (Golding 85), in the novel, Lord of the Flies, by author William Golding, Golding uses the entire book as social commentary. The social aspect he focuses on is man’s ability to be evil and destructive. 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Compare and contrast two film adaptations for act 1 scene 5 of Romeo and Juliet Essay Example For Students

Compare and contrast two film adaptations for act 1 scene 5 of Romeo and Juliet Essay The story of Romeo and Juliet is of two people who fall in love only to be torn apart by their feuding families; this was to be the death of them. Act 1 scene 5 focuses on when the two first meet. A party at the Capulets (Juliets family) is being held and a crush of Romeos, Rosaline is to be attending. Romeo and a group of friends acquire invitations and go to the party (as they are not invited because they are Montagues). Romeo quickly forgets about Rosaline when he first sees Juliet. Juliet has been told she is to be married to a man named Paris, she must court him at the family party. She too soon forgets about Paris once she meets Romeo. After the two meet they are told at separate times, by the same person that they infact in love with their enemies children. This play has been filmed for cinemas on many occasions, each with emphasis on any sections. this paper is going to focus on two of the film adaptations, Franco Zeffirelli of 1968 and Baz Lurman of 1997 Franco Zeffirellis version is shot in the appropriate era; it is a costume drama for the period of time it was shot. It is a medieval drama. It was set in Italy and uses characters that look as if they are from an Italian town. Baz Lurmans version however, is set in modern-day America. Lurman has used references from the script and given them a modern twist. For instance the play was set in Verona, Italy. Instead of shooting in Italy; Lurman had shot the play in Verona Beach, in the USA. I would first like to focus on Baz Lurmans version of the play to analyse this scene in detail. The Scene has been set in an extravagant and lavish costume party at the Capulets house. Main characters such as Romeo, Juliet, Lord Capulet, Paris and Tybalt all have costumes significant to their purpose in the play. For instance, Juliet is wearing an angel costume. This is to signify that she is the angelic vision of beauty and her presence is meant to elevate the room in some kind of graceful way. Romeo is wearing a knights suit of armour. This is to show that he is the stereotype of a heroic figure, and this to is linked with the romantic scene of being carried away by your knight in shining armour. Paris is wearing a space suit costume, this to signify the modern day version if the perfect man to carry you away. Tybalt is wearing a devil costume and smoking a cigar. This shows he is somewhat devilish; this is shown in the play when he is seen taunting Mercutio. This leads to the death of Mercutio and the death Tybalt from the hand of Romeo this causes the two lovers to be separ ated from each other and their eventual demise. The mood of the scene was garish opulence and disturbing hedonism. We find an example of this when Lord Capulet is dancing on a table and is wearing a Greek mythological gods costume made in gold fabric and lifts it to reveal a pair of lurid green sparkly underpants. The environment in which the two lovers meet is not normal situation The others characters all wear loud and garish clothes which is meant to symbolise the hedonistic nature of the lives these characters lead. An example of the type of behaviour is when Lady Capulet passionately kisses Tybalt, her nephew. This is not acceptable behaviour in normal attitudes but seems to be accepted here because no one seems to care about what they are doing. .ub9557d930da48a5ef403a705b2b847ca , .ub9557d930da48a5ef403a705b2b847ca .postImageUrl , .ub9557d930da48a5ef403a705b2b847ca .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ub9557d930da48a5ef403a705b2b847ca , .ub9557d930da48a5ef403a705b2b847ca:hover , .ub9557d930da48a5ef403a705b2b847ca:visited , .ub9557d930da48a5ef403a705b2b847ca:active { border:0!important; } .ub9557d930da48a5ef403a705b2b847ca .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ub9557d930da48a5ef403a705b2b847ca { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ub9557d930da48a5ef403a705b2b847ca:active , .ub9557d930da48a5ef403a705b2b847ca:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ub9557d930da48a5ef403a705b2b847ca .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ub9557d930da48a5ef403a705b2b847ca .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ub9557d930da48a5ef403a705b2b847ca .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ub9557d930da48a5ef403a705b2b847ca .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ub9557d930da48a5ef403a705b2b847ca:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ub9557d930da48a5ef403a705b2b847ca .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ub9557d930da48a5ef403a705b2b847ca .ub9557d930da48a5ef403a705b2b847ca-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ub9557d930da48a5ef403a705b2b847ca:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Compare And Contrast Of Mr. Perry And Mr. Keating EssayAnother could be during Romeos drug induced state we can often hear animal noises emanating from some of the characters mouths. This is possibly there to show the primal element of this scene this also enhances the hedonism found in the scene. This also adds the impurity of Romeo and Juliets meeting. The two first meet when Romeo has dipped his face in water to calm his drug induced behaviour. This is when the music changes from a fast paced and wild beat with a heavy bass to a calm, soothing ballad. They spot each other through the fish tank that separates the bathrooms. This is possibly meant to symbolise the separation of the two characters because they are from rival families. They are also seen running from Juliets mother another indication of what they are about to let themselves in for, by eloping without their parents consent. They are also seen frequently running after each other and being playful. This shows that they are enjoying themselves and is completely different to the behaviour of the parents. Romeos speech about Juliet before they meet has been cut short but still contains the overall message. This is to compliment the scenes in the film have been set and to keep the pace of the scene fast, and flowing while still getting the point across. This is also reflected in the way that the music has been used to accentuate the feelings in the scene. The music during the main bulk of the scene is fast paced dance music that has a strong pulsating beat and reflects the feeling of hedonism. This then melts into a synthesised version of the song that slides along to show what Romeo is feeling or seeing during his drugged state of mind. It is also punctuated with animal noises from the other guests to make the scene seem slightly threatening and frightening, it also shows the wild and sometimes violent way in which, the characters in the play can react. When Romeo has doused himself in water, there is a muffled sound and through that we can hear the music change. The pace of the music changed dramatically and is a slow type of romantic sound that reflects the way that the two lovers should meet. The woman singing the ballad is wearing white. This could symbolise the purity of their meeting. Zeffirellis version is completely different to that of Baz Lurmans interpretation. Zeffirellis is shot in a medieval time and uses opulent sets of the castle in which to hold the party. The colours of the scene are rich with guest are wearing warm and luxurious garments. The setting of the party is in the Capulets house again, because that is in accordance with the play. The Capulets live in an extravagant castle, the party is being held in the main dining hall. The mood conjured in the scene is one of celebration with time appropriate music being played in the background. It is jolly and vibrant and is something that is most likely to be thought of when reading the play itself. The Way in which Romeo and Juliet meet in this version of the play is different to Lurmans version of events. In this, we find Rosaline in this section which we do not in Lurmans version. She at first transfixes Romeo, and then during one of many dance scenes in this piece it follows Rosaline in to the eye of the camera. It cuts away to show Juliet in the brightest and deepest of red dresses to grab your attention or to give the illusion of her overwhelming beauty that catches the eye of Romeo and makes him take notice. .ue640b2f9c205f2341c0ad49123c72de1 , .ue640b2f9c205f2341c0ad49123c72de1 .postImageUrl , .ue640b2f9c205f2341c0ad49123c72de1 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ue640b2f9c205f2341c0ad49123c72de1 , .ue640b2f9c205f2341c0ad49123c72de1:hover , .ue640b2f9c205f2341c0ad49123c72de1:visited , .ue640b2f9c205f2341c0ad49123c72de1:active { border:0!important; } .ue640b2f9c205f2341c0ad49123c72de1 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ue640b2f9c205f2341c0ad49123c72de1 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ue640b2f9c205f2341c0ad49123c72de1:active , .ue640b2f9c205f2341c0ad49123c72de1:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ue640b2f9c205f2341c0ad49123c72de1 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ue640b2f9c205f2341c0ad49123c72de1 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ue640b2f9c205f2341c0ad49123c72de1 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ue640b2f9c205f2341c0ad49123c72de1 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ue640b2f9c205f2341c0ad49123c72de1:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ue640b2f9c205f2341c0ad49123c72de1 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ue640b2f9c205f2341c0ad49123c72de1 .ue640b2f9c205f2341c0ad49123c72de1-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ue640b2f9c205f2341c0ad49123c72de1:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Compare and analyse two short stories - Old Mrs. Chundle EssayRomeo than recites his speech about Juliet in its entirety. In this scene we notice that Juliet has not seen Romeo first. It is his him who catches sight of her first. This is possibly to show that a patriarchal society was still evident when the film was made and it was not appropriate for Juliet to accost Romeo first The music of the scene also compliments the way in which the scene has been structured. The scene that the two lovers meet is also punctuated with a balled sung by a falsetto boy, which was popular for the time the piece was set at. The emotion or passion between the lovers seems to be somewhat muted. However this version relies heavily on the text from the play and uses the emotion given in the text to its best advantage. The structure of the scene was played in exactly the same order as the play. But lines that were originally for Lord Capulet had been given to lady Capulet instead. This I believe was meant to give her a stronger involvement in the scene as in Act 1 Scene 5 she hardly speaks if not at all. Both of the plays host different aspects of the scene that is true to the play; for instance they are both spoken in iambic pentameter they follow the script, the structure of the play is mainly identical. But the differences in the two plays are great. The time periods of the two film adaptations are immense and many would consider that the older play by Zeffirelli followed the script in a better fashion than Lurmans. However, I find that Lurmans version is aesthetically pleasing to watch because of its fast paced mentality and the passion, which I feel, is correctly amplified in this version. I feel that Lurmans Version of Romeo and Juliet is a better adaptation of the play because it uses symbols of the modern era to explain section of the scene that could not be interpreted in such a way for a different time period or film. For instance Mercutios speech is explained in Lurmans version as being a drug-induced occurrence. This probably would not have been done in an older time frame or by another director because it would have been as being inappropriate. Another could possibly be the aesthetic nature of the scene it is brightly coloured and is a treat to look at with many different things going on at once most of which is extremely important because this keeps you on the edge of your seat. It is elements like that in an adaptation that keep the story true but adds elements of something different to make it memorable.