Dove Cameron's Song 'If Only'

Squeaky is a proud sister, she’s sassy, she is protective and takes care of her brother Raymond in the book Raymond’s Run by Toni Cade Bambara. Squeaky is proud of Raymond because after she finishes the race, he comes running to her, showing he keeps up with his sister and she realizes he is a very fine runner. She takes care of him because she is the one looking after him taking him out and helping him. She does love him and takes care of him because when Mary Louise Williams asks a question to Raymond, Squeaky chimes in to tell her if she has something to tell Raymond, they will have to tell it to Squeaky first. She is also sassy when Mary Louise asks a question.

“Raymond’s Run” is a story by Toni Cade Bambara about an African-American girl known to all as Squeaky who lives in Harlem, New York. Her numerous character traits and values make her very unique and unlike most her age. In the story, Squeaky arrives to the park where the race that she will be participating in will take place. An example of one of her values is, “I squint at him real hard to see if he is seriously thinking that I should lose the race on purpose just to give someone else a break” Bambara (22). This quote shows how much Squeaky values pride and hard work. The example supports the idea of Squeaky’s uniqueness through her values because not many children of that age possess those traits.The character Squeaky from “Raymond’s Run”

And the next word out of anybody, I’ll be their mother too.” This shows that Squeaky loves her brother and she would stand up to anybody to help him. I wonder if she loves him more than her running.

She prides herself at protecting her brother Raymond from other people and being self-confident. This is when she mentions, “… if anybody has anything to say to Raymond, anything to say about his big head, they have to come by me.”(Bambara 26). She takes dignity in herself, in being a very fast runner when she says, “And as anybody can tell you, I’m the fastest thing on two feet.” (Bambara 26). As you can see, Squeaky describes herself as someone who is genuine. When a specific task is difficult for her, she practices and studies. She is never ashamed of the arduous work she has to put in to be successful. Also, when she says, "Now some people like to act like things come easy to them, won’t let on that they practice. Not me” (Bambara 28). In more explanation, she describes herself who doesn’t take shame in showing who she really

Because she saw Raymond running along the sidelines, something sparks inside of her. “Cause if I’ve lost this race, or if me and Gretchen tied… I can always retire as a runner… and coach with Raymond as my champ” (Bambara 111). Squeaky doesn’t care about her win anymore. She is thinking about Raymond’s potential as a runner. Her heart is growing fond at the thought of her brother following behind her footsteps. “My brother Raymond, a great runner in the family tradition” (Bambara 111). This shows that Squeaky is excited for her brother’s future. He is no longer the annoying ‘little’ brother he always was. Now, he is a person with the ability to run like she can. Finally, even after the man announces that Squeaky won, she looks over at Gretchen. There is no longer venom boiling between them. “And I smile. ‘Cause she’s good, no doubt about it. Maybe she’d like to help me coach Raymond” (Bambara 112). There is a newfound respect between the two girls. Gretchen even smiles back. The walls Squeaky spent so long building up are now crumbling down piece by piece as her mind

Emotions and character traits such as confidence, being hard working... are what define us. Every day we experience millions of emotions. Based on what we say or do, it makes up other's people mind about us. It also shapes how they think about us and treat us. One character who is defined by her social emotions is the protagonist Hazel Elizabeth Deborah Parker, also known as Squeaky, from the story “Raymond’s Run”, by Toni Cade Bambara. Squeaky may be bossy, sassy… but she has to face many problems; one of these is defending and helping her mentally challenged brother, Raymond. Throughout the story, Squeaky feels like Raymond is an obstacle. However, when she competes in the big May Day race (she has a competition for the first time this year against her new rival, Gretchen), she sees some value

By the end of the story, as stated before, Squeaky has learned to appreciate the skills and talents of others. However, there are some people that she simply doesn’t like and doesn’t admire,

In the story Raymond's Run, Squeaky doesn't have many friends because she is always watching her brother and because of her competitive attitude. People make mean spiteful comments like “what grade are you in now, Raymond? ” , and she has to come to his defence and say things like, “ if anyone has to say something about my brother Raymond’s big head they should say it to me.” This kind of tone does not win her many friends. In addition, she states that she would rather knock you down than just talk a problem out.

Another common theme in this story is gender stereotypes, which Squeaky follows and believes, is that girls don’t necessarily get along with each other. In the story, the stereotype presented is that They fight with each other, sometimes alone, and sometimes in groups. That is why it is surprising that Squeaky learns to get along with the antagonist of the story, Gretchen, at the end of the story, as seen in the following quote. We stand there with this big smile of respect between us. It’s about as

Squeaky, our protagonist, is diligent because she is determined, protective of her brother, and passionate about running. First, Squeaky is determined to be good at running. When she runs she feels like she is dreaming. For example, it says in the story that “I’m standing on the corner admiring the weather and about to take a stroll through Broadway so I can practice my breathing exercises” (40). This shows that Squeaky is determined to be the best at running.

In “Raymond’s Run”, it is clear to see that Squeaky walks through life with heavy weights and worries on her shoulders. Not only does she have to take care of Raymond, but she also has to deal with her mother, who does not accept Squeaky for who she is. Squeaky’s mother brings her down by not supporting her and expecting her to be a typical girly girl. When her mother brings her down, Squeaky develops insecurities about herself. She may not realize it, but the sassy and rude way she treats others is just an act to cover up her insecurities. When she acts like she is better than everyone else, she is just trying to hide the fact that she has so many obstacles that she needs to overcome. Just like Squeaky in “Raymond’s Run”, “She Used to Be Mine”, uncovers the act that Sara Bareilles puts on, and reveals her true self. Both Squeaky and Sara Bareilles have different dimensions and layers to themselves. Squeaky is also similar to a flower bud that blooms into something beautiful. By the end of the story, Squeaky learns to respect Gretchen, and by doing that she is gaining a new perspective on life. When a flower bud opens up, it grows layers of petals. Each petal on the flower is like each of Squeaky’s different personalities. Squeaky is still figuring out her life, and she is constantly learning from her mistakes and growing from them. While the flower grows new petals, the bud in in the center remains the same, like the heart of the flower. This goes to show that even when Squeaky is changing, she still has the same, loving heart. A heart that loves her family. A heart that loves Raymond. A heart that loves

Squeaky cares about her brother, Raymond a lot and she protects him like a mother. Mary Louise comes with her friends to talk with squeaky, and she tells her how she is not fast. Then she tries to ask Raymond something, but Squeaky stops her. “ You got anything to say to my brother you say it to me, Mary Louise Williams of Raggedy Town, Baltimore.”(Bambara 3) This quote explains how much she cares and is very protective. Rosie tries to be mean and asks squeaky, if she was Raymond’s mother. “ Thats right fatso, And the next word out of anybody and I’ll be their mother too.”(Bambara 3) This explains how squeaky could do anything for her brother no matter what.

She always several breathes which she claims is her favorite number. She used to be friends with a girl named Mary Louise who used to get beat up by everyone until Squeaky put her foot down only because their mothers used to sing together in the same choir when they were younger. Now she hangs out with a girl named Gretchen and talks behind Squeaky's back like a dog. Squeaky is so tough and brave hearted that she is willing to fight both Gretchen and Mary by her lonely.

In the end she does wind up realizing how lovable and encouraging her brother is and even decides to help him try and win a race just like herself which is the real win! In the beginning of the story, Squeaky is crazed about winning a race. She even says “I never walk if I can trot, and shame on Raymond if he can’t keep up.” This illustrates that she values

In lines 18-21 Squeaky said, “Even though she is a little girl with skinny arms and a squeaky voice, she would take the chances and knock you down, and if things gets too rough, she runs.” This quote explains that Squeaky believes she is not as strong as other people, but she still believes in herself, does not put herself down, and is the person she wants to be.