Biblical and Religious Themes in Sonnys Blues Essay

James Baldwin’s short story, â€Å"Sonny’s Blues,† is the authors most studied and critically analyzed piece of literature. The majority of these analyses focus on the obvious themes of the book such as jazz music, the unnamed narrator, or the rift that divides Sonny and his brother. Little critique has ever gone into the biblical and religious themes that run throughout the story of â€Å"Sonny’s Blues.† Furthermore, it is even more astonishing that there is little critique given Baldwin has such a strong history with the world of Christianity. James Tackach wrote that it should not come as a surprise that Baldwin would use stories or references from the Bible as a foundation for his literature (109). Baldwin was practically raised in the†¦show more content†¦The cup of trembling comes from the Book of Isaiah. â€Å"Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, which hast drunk at the hand of the Lord the cup of his fury; thou hast drunken the dre gs of the cup of trembling, and wrung them out,† the passage of scripture reads (Isaiah 51:17). This passage from the Bible is God telling His people that He knows they have suffered and are terrified of His fury. God promises they that will no longer drink from the cup of trembling and instead will put it into the hands of their enemies. This passage implies hope that those, like Sonny and his brother, who have been affected with fear and misery, will no longer be plagued. There are four great fears when drinking from the â€Å"cup of trembling.† Those fears are devastation, destruction, famine, and death. Sonny and his brother have both experienced each of these in some form. Keith Byerman states that if the cup of trembling is given, then Sonny will continue to suffer and feel guilt; if they cup is taken away, then Sonny returns to a state of grace (371). Byerman also states that the drink itself, scotch and milk, is a symbol of destruction and nourishment to the bo dy, the scotch being the destruction and the milk being the nourishment. Sonny’s acceptance of the drink indicates that his life will continue on the edge between the poison of his addiction and the nourishment ofShow MoreRelatedThe Biblical Foundation Of James Baldwin s Sonny s Blues1301 Words   |  6 Pagesâ€Å"Sonny’s Blues† is one of James Baldwin’s most famous short stories, and probably his most noteworthy one. Countless people have analyzed the several obvious themes and concepts that are within â€Å"Sonny’s Blues,† like jazz music and the unnamed narrator. 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