The short story titled Sonny's Blues written by James Baldwin and the play A Doll's House written by Henrik Ibsen have many similarities and differences in that which concerns parameters, symbols and characters. Although they may seem like two completely different works, they have far more similarities than expected. James Baldwin and Henrik Ibsen use their protagonist to express the idea of ​​breaking free from a restrictive society to achieve true happiness. Limited by the roles they play in society, the main characters attempt to break free from conventional societal perceptions to understand the world of the unknown for themselves. Through the point-by-point method, a better understanding of the similarities and differences between these two works will be achieved. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the Original Essay Harlem in the mid-20th century, a time and place of racial injustice, poverty, and discrimination, is the setting chosen for the short story Sonny's Blues. At the beginning of the story, Sonny and his family are trapped in the ghetto because of the color of their skin, showing readers that they are not in harmony. Due to the circumstances of this time, the protagonist Sonny has very little perspective on the world he lives in. Due to the restrictions society creates for people of color, Sonny goes down the wrong path and gets lost. Sonny's brother explains: "Yet when he smiled, when we waved, the little brother I had never known looked out from the depths of his private life, like an animal waiting to be drawn into the light ( 189). » Sonny's brother explains that even though society has imprisoned him, he is also imprisoned in his private life. Because Sonny has spent the last few years caged like an animal by society, he must realize what he must do to change his life and free himself from the restrictions created by the world he is a part of. Late 19th century Norway The 19th century was not a place of racial injustice, but rather of social injustice. Even though it was a time when women were treated unfairly and had little to no say, the play begins with the characters in harmony because it is Christmas time. It is a period that symbolizes family, birth and sacrifice. Even though this should be a time for family celebration, Nora is trapped by the limits that her husband and society impose on her. Without a source of income because women were not allowed to work at that time, Nora faces obstacles alone to overcome this tragic period. Music plays an important role in how Sonny changes his outlook on his life. To avoid getting into trouble, Sonny chose the path of becoming a musician to express himself in a way that society could not place limits on. Sonny's brother explains Sonny's passion for music when he says, "For although the story of how we suffer, how we are delighted, and how we can triumph is not never new, it must always be heard. There is no other story to tell, it is the only light we have in all this darkness (194). Sonny turns to music as a sign of redemption, to free him from all his sins and to experience true happiness, which gives readers a feeling of biblical reference. Sonny longs for salvation and to rid his life of community control. Ibsen uses the symbol of a doll to enhance the readers' perception of the protagonist Nora. Living in a house with a husband and 3 children, Nora should not.