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Research Essay on "Sonny's Blues" by James Baldwin (Due May 30th)

Title: Research Essay

Write a research essay (minimum 5 pages) on James Baldwin’s “Sonny’s Blues.” You must use the following sources:

"Fifth Avenue, Uptown" by James Baldwin

"James Baldwin Debates William F. Buckley (1965)" The Riverbends Channel. YouTube. 27 October 2012. Web. 12 Feb. 2015.

"'Sonny's Blues': James Baldwin's Image of Black Community" by John M. Reilly

Research Essay on "Sonny's Blues," due on Moodle by Monday, May 30th, by midnight. You must use your discussion of each of the five sources from forums 1 - 5 to be able to earn full credit. Please email the instructor if you have questions.

You must complete two research essay assignments. You are required to use the assigned research sources from the discussion forums in the paper. Any additional sources must be approved by the instructor.

Each essay must be 5-pages and must follow proper MLA format and be typed in 12-point Times New Roman font, double spaced, with 1-inch top, bottom, left, and right margins, and no cover page. Remember to have a header with your name, date, course, instructor, and name of assignment, your own title centered at the top of the first page, and a Work Cited citations page. (See Sample MLA Formatted Paper)

You will be graded on your ability to:

1. write your own analytical and logical thesis and supporting ideas on the assigned story,

2. accurately discuss and incorporate the textbook's background information on the assigned story,

3. accurately summarize the story's important elements using the textbook questions to show logical comprehension of the story,

4. accurately summarize and discuss secondary sources from the discussion forums to develop and support your own thesis and supporting ideas, and

5. properly credit your sources using quotation, paraphrase, and summary and proper in-text and Works Cited citations per MLA Guidelines.

Research Essay on "Sonny's Blues" by James Baldwin (Due May 30th)

Research Essay on "The Story of an Hour" by Kate Chopin (Due June 15th)

Discussion Forum 1 on Ethical Criticism (Due May 16th)
Summarize what Philip Sipiora, the editor of the textbook, Reading and Writing about Literature, defines in his chapter on "Ethical Criticism" on pages 73-79. You must demonstrate that you truly understand Sipiora's key ideas without simply copying or repeating him. If you borrow any ideas or copy any words, you must use quotation marks and give proper in text citations per MLA guidelines.

In research writing, after you explain a concept, you must provide an example. After you summarize what Phillip Sipiora explains about "ethical criticism," provide your own example of an ethical problem and discuss how a story and/or research can help examine or think about that problem more deeply.

Discussion Forum 1 on Ethical Criticism

In his chapter on “Ethical Criticism,” in Reading and Writing about Literature, Philip Sipiora defines ethical criticism in terms of the character’s interactions with others based on their actions, decisions, or behaviors. When characters communicate and make decisions, the reader will connect the actions, to their own morals and decide whether the character is good or bad. The reader may also discover feelings of their own in relation to the “moral of the story.” Through criticizing a character’s interactions with others, the reader is able to determine the level and the integrity of the ethics of the character. As Sipiora mentioned, “The overall goal of the ethical reader is to examine characters’ interactions with others for their moral implications” (Sipiora 78). In addition, Sipiora explains how values can change depending on the setting between characters. An example of this, in "Babylon Revisited", a conversation between Lorraine, Charlie, and Duncan cost Charlie the guardianship of his daughter. Ethical criticism has been practiced for a long time now, as far back as the ancient Greek times, "when children learned values and moral codes through the actions of the hero Ulysses in the epic tales the Iliad and the Odyssey” (Sipiora 73).

An example of this is if a person were to walk into a grocery store and find a wallet sitting on the floor. This person who discovered the wallet faces the option to either keep the wallet or to turn it in to the store manager in hope that it’s given back to its owner. If this person were to make the right choice, he or she are judged to have acted with a high ethical standard.

Work Cited

Sipiora, Phillip. “Ethical Criticism.” Reading and Writing about Literature, 2nd ed. Boston, MA: Pearson, 2002.73-79. Print.

Score: 8/10

In your discussion of Ulysses, you need to add your own explanation of what Sipiora means about literature teaching moral codes. Do not just leave a quotation without explanation. -1

The following is still a fragment: "An example of this is if a person were to walk into a grocery store and find a wallet sitting on the floor." Your mistake was not that you started with "For example," but that you did not add an independent clause to complete the sentence. -1

Discussion Forum 2 on "Sonny's Blues" by James Baldwin (Due May 18th)
Read "Sonny's Blues" by James Baldwin and answer questions 1-11 on page 102 of the textbook. Please remember to number each question so it is clear which one you are answering. Remember to properly cite the source per MLA Guidelines.

Discussion Forum 2 on "Sonny's Blues" by James Baldwin

by ALI BEYDOUN - Friday, May 20, 2016, 3:42 PM

1) Some of my early impressions of the short story, “Sonny’s Blues” by James Baldwin was that the story started to sound gloomy at the beginning because many bad things were going to happen. Also that the narrator seems to be disconnected from his brother.

2) My observations on the narrator’s attitude toward his brother were that he was a like a father to him by loving, protecting, helping, furthermore advising him. He looked to be worried and depressed of the way his brother wanted to live. Towards the end, the narrator was able to see the positive in his brother and was able to figure out that individuals can make due in their own particular manners. At the end, He practically appears to be proud of his brother.

3) There were three major encounters. The first encounter was with Sonny's friend in which the narrator realized that Sonny has a big impact on the individuals around him. Narrator never liked him but after a long conversation with him, narrator builds very different image of him. He started liking him and learned that maybe he should start talking to Sonny by sending him a letter. In this encounter narrator and Sonny’s friend both learned to stay in contact with their friends. The second one is the encounter between the narrator and his mother, this was important since the mother knew that she will not always be able to stay beside the narrator and Sonny due to aging. She put all the responsibility on the narrator to take care of the family. The third encounter was between the narrator and Sonny in which Sonny told his brother that he wants to be a musician. This instance thought the narrator not to be in conflict with his brother every single time. These encounters helped me learn to always understand others.

4) I do not see myself fitting into these encounters, I personally try to help and advice others and let them know the way they can live easily rather than struggling throughout life.

5) Sonny's new life in the world of music has a positive impact on his life. Music is taking up his time keeping him away the trouble. He was able to reach his goal and to stay away from drugs, and most importantly, he’s doing what he loves to do.

6) The narrator's guiding principle is to take care of his brothers as he promised his mother. The mother's guiding principle was to always see her sons happy and away from trouble. Sonny’s guiding principle was to achieve his dream to become a musician.

7) The narrator and Sonny learned a lot from their experiences. They learned to support and accept each other. Sonny learned to always tell his brother what he's thinking of. The narrator learned be less judgmental and critical of Sonny’s choices and to always listen and understand others.

8) The story resonates with me in a way of my older sister always try to put me on the right track, especially in school. As a kid I didn't recognize the importance of school. She forced me to focus on educations. She always tries convincing me until I realized that she was right. This made me be the student I am right now.

9) A personal moral value that is presented in the narrator is that individuals can improve their selves, for example of how Sonny didn’t start back on drugs after he left the jail. Another important moral is to value our family and take care of our siblings.

10) The narrator foreshadows the evolution of two major characters. The first is his mother when she told him that “You got to hold on to your brother, and don’t let him fall, no matter what it looks like happening to him and no matter how evil you gets with him. You going to be evil with him many a time. But don’t you forget what I told you, you hear?” (Baldwin 87). The second was the pain that his uncle suffered from in life which finally lead to his death.

11) I believe the concluding statement, “it [the drink] glowed and shook above my brother's head like the very cup of trembling” (Baldwin 99) shows that the narrator was asking for Sonny’s redemption from his suffering of his anger and forgive him for seeing him transform as a better person.

Work Cited

Baldwin, James. “Sonny's Blues.” Reading and Writing about Literature, 2nd ed. Ed. Phillip Sipiora. Boston, MA: Pearson, 2002. 79-99. Print.

Score: 10/10

Discussion Question 3 James Baldwin's essay, "Fifth Avenue, Uptown" (Due May 20th)
Write a formal summary and response to James Baldwin's essay, "Fifth Avenue, Uptown," which was published in Esquire in 1960. Be sure that you write proper MLA in-text and Work Cited citations.

1. How does Baldwin introduce his essay? Who is his intended audience?

2. What is Baldwin's main idea or thesis?

3. What key points or claims does Baldwin make in the essay to support his main idea? Hint: Think about Baldwin's observations about Harlem as a "ghetto," and what Harlem represents about the standard treatment African Americans expect from white Americans.

4. What factual evidence does Baldwin provide to support his claims?

5. Discuss some of the information from the essay that helps explain the main themes in "Sonny's Blues"?

“Fifth Avenue, Uptown,” an essay written by James Baldwin and published in Esquire magazine in 1960, explains what life is like as a black individual living in Harlem. His main idea is the struggles that many blacks face as a result of decades of oppression. The meaning of "Fifth Avenue, Uptown." Baldwin is observing the street that marks the dividing line where poor Blacks were restricted through various housing restrictions to living in the "ghetto" of Harlem and "uptown" where affluent, mostly whites live. He makes this observation in his 1960 essay to make readers aware of an unsaid type of racial separation and inequality that occurs in northern cities during a time when the world was paying attention to civil protests in the American South during the height of the Civil Rights movement. Baldwin begins his essay by describing what his neighborhood used to look like compared to what it looks like now. One side of the street looks the same, and the other side has been built up since his childhood. He wanted to give a clear picture of how it is for the people of Harlem and the racial divide they had to endure. He explains that he isn’t trying to say all whites are privileged but some are living though difficult conditions also. Baldwin clarifies how blacks are misunderstood because some wonder why blacks act a certain way. He also mentioned how the police were cruel towards the people and how the people hated them because of how they treated them. Baldwin makes claims about how blacks fight because they are worried by saying the only reason why blacks live in Harlem is because white people think they are not decent enough to live anywhere else. The way Baldwin clarifies this essay his intended audience are those of the past and future, so that they understand the history of black people in Harlem. Some truthful evidence that Baldwin provides to support his claims is that everything that was stated in the article was very detailed to the exact point. For example, Baldwin says that he is a part of this nation history just like everyone else because his ancestors died for it. He has first-hand exercise with what has been happening to Harlem in the past. With these types of claims and descriptions and facts, James Baldwin is able to achieve credibility and convince the reader that everything is real.“The people in Harlem know they are living there because white people do not think they are good enough to live anywhere else.” (Baldwin). Some information from the story that helps explain “Sonny’s Blues” is the comparable descriptions of the treatment of African Americans and the conditions they were required to put up with in order to live. In addition, Baldwin argues in the essay to not confuse a single celebrity success story, such as Sammy Davis, Jr., with the path of success for all Blacks. He contrasts this idea with how white Americans don’t necessarily expect all whites to follow the path of Frank Sinatra from Hoboken to rich and fame, but whites will often use the success of one Black celebrity as evidence that racism is over, or progress toward equality is being made. Baldwin’s point here is that the celebrity success story is often used to ignore the deeper issues of inequality at work in places like Harlem.

Work Cited

Baldwin, James. "'Fifth Avenue, Uptown' by James Baldwin." Esquire.com. 1 July 1960. Web. 20 May. 2016.

Good job. Score: 10/10

Discussion Question 4 on James Baldwin debate with William F. Buckley (Due May 23rd)

Write a summary and response of the 1965 debate between James Baldwin and William F. Buckley that was held at Cambridge University, England. Your summary must answer the following questions. Make sure you use proper MLA in-text and Work Cited citations.

1. What is the main topic of the debate?

2. What is James Baldwin's position? Explain some of the claims Baldwin makes, and explain the evidence he provides to support those claims. (Note: At one point Baldwin references "Sheriff Clark." For background on Sheriff Clark, see: http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/h-2147)

3. What is William F. Buckley's position? Explain some of the claims Buckley makes and the evidence he provides to support those claims. (For background on William F. Buckley, who made a bid for New York City mayor in 1965, see: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/02/magazine/02buckley.html?pagewanted=all)

4. Who do you think won the debate and why?

5. How does the debate help explain what Baldwin wrote in "Sonny's Blues," which was first published in 1957 in the literary magazine, Partisan Review, then republished in 1965 as part of Baldwin's collection of short stories, Going to Meet the Man?

In 1965, a debate between James Baldwin and William F. Buckley was held at Cambridge University in England. The main topic of the debate was whether or not the American Dream had been achieved at the expense of the American Negro.

James Baldwin states that the harbors and the ports and the railroads of the country, the economy especially of the Southern states could not possibly be what it has become without the forced labor provided by African Americans. He evokes a certain empathy, appealing to pathos, through this statement saying, “I am speaking very seriously, and this is not an overstatement: I picked cotton, I carried it to the market, I built the railroads under someone else's whip for nothing. For nothing”, (Baldwin). This statement showed how he felt like the Negros were at the expense of the American dream and how they weren’t receiving the credit for their work instead they were getting horrified. Things Negros did achieve were taken away from them and they weren’t getting the same treatment as the whites.

Buckley believed equality comes at the expense of effort and hard work. He claimed that Negros had the same opportunities of whites but they chose this narrow path and this way of living. He used the statistic that the number of Negro doctors have increased from 3500 to 3900 in the 1900-1960 period. He argues that the Italian and Jewish communities have succeeded to become professionals. He also compared Jewish and Italian communities to the black community. He mentions that blacks should work as hard as the immigrant groups to work themselves out of the ghetto. Buckley didn’t think Negros were motivated nor did they work hard toward the things they claim to want. He states that there are opportunities for Negros but they just won’t take them.

I think that Baldwin has won the debate. He says that America is the land of the free, home of the brave, and that all men were created equal just weren’t treated as such. Buckley spoke on how he believed things were in which that wasn’t the reality of a Negro. Baldwin mentioned more evidences that inequality hindered the American dream. This argument describes what Baldwin wrote in "Sonny's Blues" as it was hard for Sonny to escape the Harlem ghettos. Racism and the dominating white world made it difficult for Negros to prosper. Sonny had no choice but stay in Harlem as the whole world was beside him.

Works Cited

"James Baldwin Debates William Buckley (1965)." The Riverbends Channel. YouTube. 12 October 2012. Web. 23 May. 2016.

Baldwin, James. “Sonny's Blues.” Reading and Writing about Literature, 2nd ed. Ed. Phillip Sipiora. Boston, MA: Pearson, 2002: 79-99. Print.

Score:10/10

Discussion Question 5 on “’Sonny’s Blues’: James Baldwin’s Image of Black Community” by John M. Reilly (Due May 25th)
Write a summary and response of “’Sonny’s Blues’: James Baldwin’s Image of Black Community” by John M. Reilly that answers the following questions. Make sure you use proper MLA in-text and Work Cited citations.

1. According to Reilly, what is the purpose of the story of “Sonny’s Blues” with relation to the public image of young Black men?

2. How does Reilly interpret the use of “Blues as a key metaphor” in the story of “Sonny’s Blues”? (Hint: review what Reilly says about the mention of Charlie Parker in the story.)

3. According to Reilly, how does the narrator change in the story, and how does that relate to the public image of Black men?

4. How does Reilly interpret Sonny’s drug addiction and what James Baldwin may be trying to say about the presence of drugs in the Black community?

5. What is Reilly’s ultimate message in his article about the image of the Black community that James Baldwin’s “Sonny’s Blues” provides?

Work Cited

Reilly, John M. "'Sonny's Blues': James Baldwin's Image of Black Community." Negro American Literature Forum 4.2 (1970): 56-60. Print.

According to John M. Reilly, the narrator of "Sonny's Blues: James Baldwin's Image of Black Community," the purpose of "Sonny's Blues" is to "lead Baldwin's readers to a sympathetic engagement with the young man by providing knowledge of human motives" (Reilly). Hence Baldwin attempts to show a clear image of the hardships black men undergo in the ghetto. The use of "Blues as a key metaphor" as a separation between the narrator and Sonny’s viewpoints of coping, it’s also to "repair the relationship between the two men who have chosen different ways to cope with the menacing ghetto environment" (Reilly). Therefore it used as a bond that keeps the connection between Sonny and the narrator. The narrator is ignorant of Sonny's idol, Charlie Parker. Sonny tried to get out of his life style and save himself by becoming a jazz musician, however the narrator tried to become part of the "American culture" (Reilly). According to Reilly, the narrator changes from a judgmental into an understanding person. The narrator understands his brother at the end. This relates to the public image of Black men because people do not attempt to understand blacks. Reilly understands Sonny's drug addiction as a way that blacks use to escape from suffering. They take drugs in order to make it appear that they did something and are suffering from it. Reilly's ultimate message in his article about the image of the Black community that James Baldwin's "Sonny's Blues" provides is that, “Black authors’ can not luxuriate in the assumption that there is such a thing as a private life.” Also, by showing that “artful expression of personal yet typical experience is on way to freedom.” Or finding a creative way to release your “blues.”

Work Cited:

Reilly, John M. "'Sonny's Blues': James Baldwin's Image of Black Community." Negro American Literature Forum 4.2 (1970): 56-60. Print.

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