"William's" Growth as an Understanding and Loving Brother
             In James Baldwin's short story "Sonny's Blues," the protagonist is an African-American high school algebra teacher who lives in the projects in New York City. (This character will be referred to as "William," which means "determined guardian," for writing purposes.) After the death of his mother, William is left with the difficult task of keeping his younger brother, Sonny, out of trouble and on the right track. This is not an easy task for William, as Sonny becomes addicted to heroin while trying to live out his dream of becoming a professional musician. After living with Sonny for some time, William learns that there is more pain and despair in his little brother than he ever could have imagined.
             William learns that Sonny has been arrested for peddling and using heroin in the beginning of the story. At first, he can not believe it. Then he realizes that he can believe it, he just can not find the room for Sonny's situation anywhere inside of him. William had always had his suspicions about Sonny being addicted to drugs, he just could not, or would not, accept it. After talking to one of Sonny's friends, William learns that Sonny will be sent to "treatment," and will then be "let loose" (275). Because William is in denial about the whole situation, he does not contact his brother for some time, even though it would have done Sonny a great deal of good to hear from his brother.
             It takes the death of William's daughter to make Sonny's problems real in William's mind. They begin to write to each other. When Sonny is released, the two brothers meet. William is very nervous, as is Sonny. William is not sure who his brother is any more, he only knows who he used to be. Although William is not thrilled about the idea, he "allows" Sonny to move in with him since...