Sparrow Needy Intro/Conclusion

When "Sparrow Needy" opens up were given the premise of the story. Harlem New York. The epigraph hints at the ambiance that the essay will reveal. " I had a brother, and that says it all." The mood is already gloomy and as we go along with the intro we start to hear about Baldwin. We almost paint a picture of the busy streets of New York. Grey from the buildings and yellow from the taxis. In the first line the author speaks on how tough the neighborhood was. We hear there was a murder which was concrete true and then rumors of other violent acts. Grimey and tough is all you get.

The conclusion on the other hand is somewhat still tough but heartfelt. We now know that Paul is gone but as the narrator tells us on page 25 the story of the uneasy bar. It shows the vulnerability that Paul always had. When Paul is at a lost of outcomes Lynwood comes in the bar and rushes the pusher out of the bar. Paul then asked him to not hurt him. We see the fear in him and not to mention this is the only sentimental scene with Paul where he puts down his guard. The story comes in a circle in which Paul goes from a tough guy to vulnerable to either situations or his health. When he passes we see the last belongings of Paul. A few articles of clothes and a book that his brother gave him. The book entitled " To Hear the River" seems to be a personal touch. Paul through his hard tough life kept a book that his older brother dedicated to him. A soft spot. A spot so dear to him he took it to the grave. The irony in the ending may be the biggest literary device used. But in the end its still melancholy because after Paul's passing we know the narrator never had closure. Twenty six years and he never wrote about him again. They weren't able to fully close and you see how it affected the whole tone of the essay.