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Raymond's Run - Literature Notes
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Toni Cade Bambara was a writer and social activist who attended Queens College, City University of New York and City College of New York. She was born on March 25, 1935 and died December 9, 1995.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toni_Cade_Bambara http://www.gradesaver.com/author/toni-bambara/ |
PLOT
This is the story of Squeaky, a young girl who considers herself to be the 'fastest thing on two legs'. (Bambara, 1) Squeaky's life consists of two things; taking care of her brother Raymond and constantly training for track. Squeaky, in training for the May Day races in the park, decides to go for a walk/ training session and takes Raymond with her. She encounters her rival, Gretchen, along with her 'shadows' (Bambara, 3), and they spar verbally. Squeaky and Raymond continue on their way, and purposefully arrive late for the May Day races. While collecting her number, she is asked, in a very round-about fashion, to give some-one else a chance at winning. She does not react well to this suggestion. While on the starting block and realizes that Raymond is in position, on the other (www.bulbsoup.com) side of the fence, to run with her. He impresses his sister by keeping up with her, which leads her to start thinking of retiring from track and becoming Raymond's trainer. The story ends with Squeaky not only winning the race, but gaining respect for her rival and considering a myriad of other activities to pursue and conquer.
This is the story of Squeaky, a young girl who considers herself to be the 'fastest thing on two legs'. (Bambara, 1) Squeaky's life consists of two things; taking care of her brother Raymond and constantly training for track. Squeaky, in training for the May Day races in the park, decides to go for a walk/ training session and takes Raymond with her. She encounters her rival, Gretchen, along with her 'shadows' (Bambara, 3), and they spar verbally. Squeaky and Raymond continue on their way, and purposefully arrive late for the May Day races. While collecting her number, she is asked, in a very round-about fashion, to give some-one else a chance at winning. She does not react well to this suggestion. While on the starting block and realizes that Raymond is in position, on the other (www.bulbsoup.com) side of the fence, to run with her. He impresses his sister by keeping up with her, which leads her to start thinking of retiring from track and becoming Raymond's trainer. The story ends with Squeaky not only winning the race, but gaining respect for her rival and considering a myriad of other activities to pursue and conquer.
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SETTING
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CONFLICT
Squeaky has 'beef' with Gretchen and her crew. She even has issues with the latest new girl. These issues all stem from the fact that she competes with them, for first place, in the May Day races in the park. Conflict is also seen in her defending her brother from anyone who attempts to tease him.
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CHARACTERS
Hazel Elizabeth Deborah Parker (Squeaky):
Raymond
Gretchen P Lewis
Mary Louise
Rosie
Mr. Pearson
THEMES
Love and family relationship
This theme is displayed between Squeaky and her brother Raymond. Squeaky is younger than her brother, but is given the awesome responsibility of taking care of him. She rises to the challenge and not only does not complain about being the caregiver of her mentally challenged older brother, but is his champion in every situation. She defends him tirelessly and bravely when anyone dares to tease him. Her love for him is further shown when she observes his skill on the track. She sees that he is talented and immediately starts to envision a future, in track, for him. Raymond returns his sister's love by being a very enthusiastic supporter of her running, he even runs her race with her in a show of support. Just the mention of Squeaky's name over the microphone would send Raymond into a fit of excitement.
Women in Society
Squeaky's relationship with her rival, Gretchen, highlights this theme. Squeaky points out that 'Gretchen smiles, but it's not a smile ... girls never really smile at each other because they don't know how ... grown-up girls don't know either.' (Bambara, 3). This thought, by Squeaky, emphasizes the fact that girls are not encouraged to support each other, but to be competitive and to place all their time into refining the roles that they are assigned based on their gender. It is implied that Gretchen and Squeaky, after the race, learn to respect each other, 'We stand there with this big smile of respect between us ... like being people.' (Bambara, 7).
TECHNIQUES
Juxtaposition - Squeaky and her brother Raymond are juxtaposed in this story. Raymond is older yet younger and Squeaky is younger yet older. This contrast serves to highlight that Squeaky has been asked to become more mature than the average little girl, in order to support and care for her physically older, yet mentally younger brother.
Situational Irony - It is ironic that the younger sibling is asked to take care of the older sibling. The expectation is that the situation is reversed. This irony highlights that the family's dynamic is different because they have a mentally challenged member.
Allusion - Squeaky is referred to as Mercury, by the children in the neighbourhood. This is an allusion to Mercury, the swift messenger of the ancient Greek gods. He was sometimes referred to as a god of winds. This draws attention to the fact that Squeaky is very fast.
Contributor: Leisa Samuels-Thomas
Bambara, T.C, 'Raymond's Run' in A World of Prose, edited by David Williams and Hazel Simmons-McDonald. (Harlow, Essex) Pearson Education, 2005.
https://www.eso.org/public/outreach/eduoff/vt-2004/mt-2003/mt-mercury-mythology.html
Hazel Elizabeth Deborah Parker (Squeaky):
- Raymond's little sister.
- She has the responsibility of taking care of Raymond.
- She loves and defends her brother, eg. 'if anybody has anything to say to Raymond, anything to say about his big head, they have to come by me.' (Bambara, 1)
- She is an excellent runner and knows it, eg. 'I'm the fastest thing on two feet.' (Bambara, 1)
- She is an extremely hard worker who practices constantly in order to be successful, eg. 'you can see me any time of the day practicing running.' (Bambara, 2)
- She is a girl of action who gets straight to the point eg. 'I don't play the dozens ... a lot of talking.' (Bambara, 1)
- She is resilient. This is so because she could think of a myriad of things to do, and conquer, if she had lost her race.
- She is selfless because she could rejoice in her brother's victory, and make plans for his future, despite the fact that it was her moment of victory.
- She describes herself as 'a poor Black girl ... next year' (Bambara, 4)
Raymond
- Raymond is a mentally challenged young man, eg. 'he's not quite right.' (Bambara, 1)
- He is Squeaky's older brother.
- He trains with Squeaky because he has to keep up with her.
- He is as fine a runner as his sister.
Gretchen P Lewis
- Squeaky's rival in running.
- She placed second in the fifty yard dash.
Mary Louise
- One of Gretchen's 'shadows'.
- She is originally from Baltimore.
- Mary Louise and Squeaky used to be friends.
Rosie
- She is one of Gretchen's 'shadows'.
- She is described as fat and has a big mouth when it comes to talking about Raymond.
- Squeaky states that she is stupid, eg. 'is too stupid to know that there is not a big deal of difference between herself and Raymond' (Bambara, 3)
Mr. Pearson
- He is the race official.
- He implies that Squeaky should let someone else win this year.
THEMES
Love and family relationship
This theme is displayed between Squeaky and her brother Raymond. Squeaky is younger than her brother, but is given the awesome responsibility of taking care of him. She rises to the challenge and not only does not complain about being the caregiver of her mentally challenged older brother, but is his champion in every situation. She defends him tirelessly and bravely when anyone dares to tease him. Her love for him is further shown when she observes his skill on the track. She sees that he is talented and immediately starts to envision a future, in track, for him. Raymond returns his sister's love by being a very enthusiastic supporter of her running, he even runs her race with her in a show of support. Just the mention of Squeaky's name over the microphone would send Raymond into a fit of excitement.
Women in Society
Squeaky's relationship with her rival, Gretchen, highlights this theme. Squeaky points out that 'Gretchen smiles, but it's not a smile ... girls never really smile at each other because they don't know how ... grown-up girls don't know either.' (Bambara, 3). This thought, by Squeaky, emphasizes the fact that girls are not encouraged to support each other, but to be competitive and to place all their time into refining the roles that they are assigned based on their gender. It is implied that Gretchen and Squeaky, after the race, learn to respect each other, 'We stand there with this big smile of respect between us ... like being people.' (Bambara, 7).
TECHNIQUES
Juxtaposition - Squeaky and her brother Raymond are juxtaposed in this story. Raymond is older yet younger and Squeaky is younger yet older. This contrast serves to highlight that Squeaky has been asked to become more mature than the average little girl, in order to support and care for her physically older, yet mentally younger brother.
Situational Irony - It is ironic that the younger sibling is asked to take care of the older sibling. The expectation is that the situation is reversed. This irony highlights that the family's dynamic is different because they have a mentally challenged member.
Allusion - Squeaky is referred to as Mercury, by the children in the neighbourhood. This is an allusion to Mercury, the swift messenger of the ancient Greek gods. He was sometimes referred to as a god of winds. This draws attention to the fact that Squeaky is very fast.
Contributor: Leisa Samuels-Thomas
Bambara, T.C, 'Raymond's Run' in A World of Prose, edited by David Williams and Hazel Simmons-McDonald. (Harlow, Essex) Pearson Education, 2005.
https://www.eso.org/public/outreach/eduoff/vt-2004/mt-2003/mt-mercury-mythology.html
