Sonny's Addiction

What does the brother realize about Sonny as he plays the piano? What does the music allow Sonny to do?

The brother realizes that Sonny plays the piano because of the way he can express all of his emotion through playing. When Sonny plays the piano it is a way for him to keep his sanity and stay away from what he was once addicted to, drugs. When Sonny was addicted to the heroine, it would make him feel so much better and created a sense of enjoyment. But from what Sonny doesn’t understand is that this drug is causing Sonny’s life to go downhill. Once Sonny’s brother comes back to Sonny after his daughter died, he realizes what trouble Sonny is in. Sonny’s brother always had a job and it was to take care and look after Sonny. But he didn’t do what his mother wanted him to and so Sonny became lost and addicted to drugs. Once Sonny started to become interested in music, he played the piano non-stop. He would skip school and Sonny’s brother didn’t realize how this was impacting Sonny. It was a way for him to become less addicted to these drugs. Once Sonny’s brother sees Sonny playing the piano he then realizes this is what Sonny needs to be happy. When he plays the piano he creates music that has come from his past and his addictions. Sonny’s brother reacts to his emotions because of how determined Sonny is when he plays. Like other people, Sonny uses a distraction to create a better life. He takes away the pain from music.