Cultural studies examines social, economic, and political conditions concerned with institutions and products, such as literature, media, etc., and questions traditional value hierarchies. Cultural Studies’ approaches 1) transcend the confines of a particular discipline such as literary criticism or history 2) are politically engaged 3) reject the distinction between “high” and “low” art or “elite” and “popular” culture 4) analyze not only the cultural works but also the means of production.
In “Sonny’s Blues” by James Baldwin, music, particularly blues and jazz, serves as a powerful vehicle for healing trauma and forging connections within the community of Harlem in the 1950s. Explore the role of music in the novel and its ability to address and alleviate the psychological wounds of characters such as Sonny and his brother. Is music a narrative device? Can music, specifically jazz, be considered as a cultural artifact? Artifacts in a culture are items that contains vital information about the people and the culture they relate to or for which they were used. How does Baldwin depict the transformative potential of music in the context of urban life and racial struggle? Choose one of the four listed below. You will construct an argument detailing how the selection you chose demonstrates elements of Cultural Studies and how social, political, and economic constructs shape Sonny’s identity, and those around him.
Essay Guidelines:
Community and Connection: Examine the role of music in fostering community and connection among residents of Harlem. How do shared experiences of music create bonds of empathy and understanding across racial, generational, and socioeconomic divides?
Trauma and Resilience: Analyze how music serves as a means of coping with trauma and adversity in the novel. How do characters like Sonny use music as a tool for self-expression, self-discovery, and resilience in the face of personal and systemic challenges? How does his pursuit of music mirror his quest for self-actualization and redemption? What insights does his artistic journey offer into the transformative potential of creativity and self-expression?
Escapism vs. Confrontation: Discuss the tension between using music as a form of escapism and using it as a means of confronting difficult truths and realities. How does Baldwin navigate this tension through the experiences of characters like Sonny and his brother?
Cultural Politics of Music: Reflect on the broader cultural and political significance of blues and jazz in the context of Harlem in the 1950s. How do these musical genres embody themes of resistance, survival, and cultural pride in the face of marginalization and oppression?
Essay Requirements:
Your essay should offer a close analysis of Baldwin’s text, supported by relevant examples and quotes. Your essay should focus on one of the following intersections above.
Engage with scholarly literature on the themes of music, trauma, and cultural identity in African American literature and history.
Aim for coherence, clarity, and original insights in your interpretation of the text and its broader implications.
You will need one outside source that is peer reviewed (essay or article) from the FAU Library Database that we will explore in class: JSTOR, MLA International Bibliography, LION, etc.
Essay should be 1500-1600 words (3 – 4 full pages). Double spaced. Times New Roman font, 12 point font.
Your essay should have a Works Cited page for any and all sources that may be referenced or utilized in your prose.
Aspects to Consider before Drafting:
Feel free to draw connections between “Sonny’s Blues” and historical or sociopolitical contexts of the Harlem Renaissance, as well as contemporary discussions of music’s role in healing and community building. You will be using the FAU Library Database for this Essay 2.
