Ray Charles Character Analysis in The Warmth of Other Suns

Ray Charles, the renowned soul musician, is one of Robert Foster’s most famous (and most loyal) patients in Los Angeles. After Ray nearly cuts his hand off in an accident, Robert saves it through emergency surgery and then follows Ray on tour to facilitate his recovery. Robert and Ray stay close friends for the rest of their lives—Ray even writes a song about Robert and visits him when he gets discharged from the hospital.

Ray Charles Character Timeline in The Warmth of Other Suns

The timeline below shows where the character Ray Charles appears in The Warmth of Other Suns. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...people call him “the Jitterbug Doctor,” and he starts befriending and treating celebrities, beginning with Ray Charles . And he can finally afford to buy his family a new house. But he... (full context)

Decision, Consequence, and Regret Theme Icon

Los Angeles, 1961. Robert gets an urgent call from Ray Charles ’s wife in the middle of the night. Ray is passing out and losing blood... (full context)

Los Angeles, May 1962. Ray Charles writes a song about Robert, and it hits #20 on the Billboard charts. It’s called... (full context)

One day, after Robert gets out of the hospital, Ray Charles visits and brings him a dozen steaks. Then, Robert gets a letter informing him that... (full context)