Life Changing Journeys: “The Sky is Gray”, “Blue Winds Dancing” and “The Hammon and the Beans ” In the three short stories that we have read, the main characters take life-changing journeys. As we continue to read about these stories we find James in The Sky is Gray, the Native American from Blue Winds Dancing andChonita in the Hammon and the Beans have traveled three separate roads, allowing us to view their journeys in three different ways. James in “The Sky is Gray” shows a black male growing up in a home without a father figure present learns the life lesson of poverty yet proud. The Native American in “Blue Winds Dancing” deals with belonging to the Native American world and the “white man’s world” while truly identifying himself. Chonita in the “Hammon and the Beans” deals with poverty and other aspects of her life. James in “The Sky is Gray” deals with growing up as a black male in the South.
James takes a trip to town, along with his mother, to the dentist. There he learns that not everyone are treated the same because of the color of their skin and the money in there pocket. When told they would have to wait until the doctor can see James they leave to get something to eat. Learning nothing is given for free, James sees he has to work twice as hard as most to achieve a smaller benefit. The Native American in “Blue Winds Dancing” faces a journey on life that touches him personally. He attends college in the “white man’s world” where he is taught about his cultural.
The Essay on James Baldwin’s Sonny’s Blues
In James Baldwin’s short story “Sonny’s Blues” a young man questions his brotherly obligations after finding that his younger brother has been arrested for using drugs. In the attempt to rectify his younger brother’s behavior and life, the young man faces his own feelings for his brother and comes to terms with the life his brother Sonny lives. The developments of ...
However, he reflects about “the land which is my home” he travels back there. Here members how beautiful the trees look as he describe ” there is always beauty in order.” The closer he gets to his lodge he wonders what will his family think of him. Would they not like me because I have lived in the ” white man’s world”? Nevertheless, he discovers that his family welcomes him and are happy. Chonita in “The Hammon and the Beans” and her Mexican people have come to America to find freedom and opportunity, yet instead they find themselves ‘enslaved ” by a government which hands them a life of nothing. Chonita herself specifically represents poverty, hardship, and the cry of a forgotten people. Chonita isa voice for all of those who society deems unworthy of having their needs met.
At the end with Chonita’s death, Chonita’s cry for freedom still rings clear. This illustrates that the war on poverty and victimization can never be surrendered. In all three characters and stories, their journeys taken have allowed them to survive and overcome their situations. James becomes a man knowing nothing comes easy nor for free, The Native American knows that he can be educated and belong with his native people andChonita’s death allows readers to see that even through death one can change things.
