Coping With Sonny
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Originally, I was going to assign the question What’s the better choice, to just survive, or really live? because I think the story shows us both of those options. I still like the question and will assign it as a class discussion topic, but given modern events, specifically Covid-19 and the subsequent disruptions it’s caused for all of us (after all, you’re reading this online), it makes sense to change things around to make the assignment more relevant to what’s happening right now, and to give you the opportunity to write about what we’re going through right now.
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Baldwin had this story published in 1957, but like most or all of great literature, it still has relevance today. I am not going to spoil the story here, but one theme that’s central to it is how people cope with stress, disruption, and pain that comes from sources beyond their control.
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Coping mechanism: an adaptation to environmental stress that is based on conscious or unconscious choice and that enhances control over behavior or gives psychological comfort (dictionary.com).
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In more common language, coping mechanisms are how we deal with stress and pain. Some are healthy, others not so much, but it’s safe to say that everyone has them, and the connection between who we are and how we deal with stress tells us a lot about who we are. In the story, we get to see how the characters’ personalities and coping mechanisms intertwine, and it makes for some pretty compelling reading.
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On the other hand, given that we’re living with our own stress every day, having to write about it might seem painful and overwhelming for some of you.
Your assigned topic is: What is it like to deal with something horrible that’s outside of your direct control? What does that do to a person?
I want you to do some research. There’s a lot of really good and easily accessible information on the topic of coping, trauma, and stress, so it should be easy to find and might actually help you deal with your own stress in a healthier, more effective way. You must do research. Let’s say four (4) outside sources.
Read the story. Available at
https://www.sjsu.edu/faculty/wooda/2B-HUM/Readings/Baldwin-Sonnys-Blues.pdf
