Sonny's Blues
... be said, perhaps, that I had escaped”, after all, I was a school teacher” (59). Instead he chose a structured and disciplined military life. As a high school Algebra teacher, Sonny’s brother tried to pass on his wisdom to future generations. After their mother died, Sonny’s brother returned home to persuade Sonny to finish school. He felt the only way for Sonny to earn a decent living was to get an education. Sonny wanted to follow his dreams of playing music. Sonny’s brother told him if he would just hold out until he got out of the military, he would “help him do whatever he wanted to do”. (66) Determined to help his brother succeed, he left Sonny with his wife and her family. Throughout his life, Sonny’s brother lovingly did his best to guide Sonny on the right path. He was genially concerned with Sonny’s well being. When he found out that Sonny was put away for drug possession he felt “A great block of ice” (53) that sat in his stomach all day...