Sonny Blue’s And The Language Of Snails
“Sonny’s Blues” by James Baldwin is a short tale about the redemption and reconciliation of two separated brothers. How can the symbol of a cup of scotch and milk mashed together by the intensity of Sonny’s piano playing reflect the reunion of these missing siblings? Where else does Baldwin use religious symbols to symbolize family healing?
“The Language of Snails” by Marcia Douglas is based on Jamaican legend, in which humans may transform into animals via sorcery and magic. Most organized religions teach that humans are distinct from animals, while Evolution teaches that we are all part of the same interconnected Tree of Life. Douglas investigates the weird, hazy border between humans and non-human creatures. Sonny Blue’s And The Language Of Snails
The cup of scotch and milk that Sonny’s buddy provides him in “Sonny’s Blues” depicts the combination of Sonny’s creative enthusiasm and his tragic history, which has led to his drug addiction. The cup represents Sonny’s internal turmoil and the prospect of reconciling his darker inclinations with his creative abilities. The scotch and milk merge while Sonny plays the piano, reflecting his capacity to reconcile his past with his present and the connection he can build with his estranged brother. Baldwin also used religious symbolism to illustrate the process of family healing throughout the novel, such as the picture of a dark cross towering over the brothers as they drive through Harlem, representing the sorrow and suffering they both suffered. Sonny Blue’s And The Language Of Snails
Douglas investigates the blurred barrier between people and animals in “The Language of Snails” by blurring the boundaries between human and animal characters. Gloria, for example, transforms into a snail and can speak with the other creatures in the garden. This metamorphosis enables her to view the world in a new light and comprehend the interdependence of all living things. Douglas also explores the concept that people are not fundamentally distinct from the natural world by drawing on Jamaican tradition, which stresses the power of nature and the supernatural. The narrative implies that our human identity is flexible and adaptive, like the animals we share the earth with. Sonny Blue’s And The Language Of Snails
