Could the neighborhood of Harlem be considered a character in “Sonny’s Blues”? How does the environment where the brothers live impact their lives and choices?

Does “Sonny’s Blues” offer a hopeful or nihilistic view of living in a racist society? Use concrete examples from the text to justify your answer.

How does the narrator and Sonny’s relationship develop over time? What key events cause their relationship to either splinter apart or heal?