A Conversation with my Father
What different ideas about stories and storytelling do the narrator and her father seem to have in "A conversation with my Father"? What might account for their different attitudes?
The narrator and the father have different ideas about a story. The father wants a simple, plain, and ordinary story like the one written by the Old Russian writers. According to the father, a story should reflect the true face of reality. He feels that the stories are not simple and do not reflect the truth. On the other hand, the narrator considers life stories as unfinished, complex, as well as depressing ( Goldberg, 2016) . Marriage and family life is not important to her and she feels that individuals can change. The conflict arises as a result of generational gap.
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In what ways is the narrator’s second version of her story an improvement over the first? Why does her father still reject the story?
The narrator improves the second version of the story by adding more details. She reveals that son of the woman in the story becomes a drug addict in his adolescence and then meets a girl who makes him change and leave drugs. The narrator has added an aspect of love and family life into the story. The narrator has also added an aspect of change. Goldberg (2016) explained that the father still rejects the story because it is not simple and does not reflect the truth. According to the father, individuals cannot change, and if they change, it can only be for a while.
Why does the narrator’s father object so strongly to the jokes in the stories, even though he compliments her “nice sense of humor”? Are the jokes out of place in a story about someone facing death?
The narrator’s father strongly opposes the jokes in the story strongly because he finds them out of place. According to the father, the characters are not capable of transforming completely into a good person without slipping back to their initial character. The jokes in the story are humorous but are not a reflection of the truth.
Sonny’s Blues
What does Baldwin achieve by beginning the story as he does? How does the order in which events are related later in the story affect the experience of reading it and interpreting its meaning?
The author’s style of beginning the story helps give the audience an insight into the events that will take place in the story. The story’s narrator foreshadows on what will happen to his brother in future after the arrest. The order of the events in the story helps in formation of opinions about characters; opinions are justified later in the story. For example, Sonny’s irresponsible character is justified in the other parts of the story through his actions.
What external conflict(s) is (or are) depicted in the story? What internal conflict(s)? How are they resolved?
The story reveals an external conflict between Sonny and Isabel as well as her family. The conflict results from the type of life that Sonny is leading ( Baldwin, 2009) . The narrator has an internal conflict revealed by his thoughts on how he needs to assist his brother. However, he is unable to avoid being judgmental. The narrator resolves the issue by meeting his brother and getting him out of jail.
What story seems to be told both through and about music in "Sonny Blues"?
The story told through and about the music revolves on narrator’s life, Sonny, uncle, and their dad. According to Baldwin (2009), Sonny plays music in an attempt to create a connection with his audience, which is brought out through compassion and understanding. The story also has the same effect on the audience.
References
Baldwin, J. (2009). Sonny's blues . Ernst Klett Sprachen.
Goldberg, R. (2016). A Conversation with My Father. Subtropics , 22 (1), 123-130.
