Sonny's Blues

For a majority of Sonny’s life he has succumbed to using drugs as a way to feel better. He was not happy about his life or in life, and using drugs was something that helped him feel better even for a brief period of time. What isn’t appeasing to taking something that will make you feel better about your life? After Sonny got really into heroin, and began to get into trouble, he started playing the piano. At first the brother didn’t really understand what fascinated Sonny so much about playing music. He would get letters from his wife explaining how Sonny would play whenever he had a spare second. At the end of the story, once Sonny plays for his brother, the brother realizes that music is Sonny’s new high. He plays it as a way to express himself. Also, just as music makes everyone else feel better, it makes Sonny feel better too. When he is playing the piano, he is able to separate himself from reality, and go into his own little world. He can briefly forget about the Harlem that has held him back his entire life. Also, music helps everyone around Sonny as well. The horrible past Sonny has had is what makes his music so much deeper and full of so much emotion. These emotions that Sonny lets out while playing his music helps send the message to the people around him not to go down the same path he went down.