Raymond's Run Analysis

Squeaky said, “Maybe she’d like to help me coach Raymond; she obviously is serious about running, as any fool can see. And she nosd to congratulate me and then she smiles. And I smile. We stand there with the big smile of respect between us.

Imagine you're a young girl competing with rude girls and they try and push you around and make fun of your brother. That’s exactly what happens to Squeaky a young girl and her older brother Raymond. One important lesson readers can learn from Toni Cade Bambara’s “Raymond’s Run is to put others before yourself. The story shows how squeaky sticks up for herself and it helps her stay calm and not flip out. “When Gretchen a mean girl” and her sidekicks Rosie and Mary Louise. They say that Squeaky isn’t going to win she’s going to lose. But then, Squeaky proves them wrong.

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.

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

When the race is in progress Squeaky sees her brother Raymond on the sidelines and she almost stopped “to watch my brother Raymond on his first run” This shows that she was willing to stop her whole race, ruin a year's worth of work, just to watch her brother Raymond run in his wobble like stance. Now, being able to show that amount of love and compassion is the real win. Even though she doesn’t stop that thought is worth a thousand words. Also, at the end of the race Squeaky is saying “I’m smiling to beat the band cause if I lost, or if me and Gretchen tied, or even if I won, I can always retire as a runner and begin a whole new career as a coach with Raymond as my champion.” This quote really shows the exact moment when Squeaky realizes how much she loves Raymond and that he is more important than any shiny trophy that she could ever get!

I think running is important to her because when the girls tried to embarrass Squeaky and discourage her, on of the girls named Rosie said this: “I don’t think you’re going to win this time.” Though the responding of Squeaky comes out with pride and dignity. She responds this way “ I always win cause I’m the best.” This shows that Squeaky wants to win and she won’t let anyone in her way. Though, Squeaky can’t just say she’ll win and she’ll win.

The first reason why Squeaky is a memorable character is because she is a confident character. For example, Squeaky will always say, “ There’s no track meet I don’t win the first place medal.” This shows Squeaky is confident about her running and anytime she is in a race she doesn’t believe but, knows that she is

The tough girl side she shows to everyone she knows, the side she wants to be when she is around her mother, and the side that protects and cares for Raymond; three personalities that are opposite from each other. Squeaky is known to have layers. Like the earth, the deeper you dig, the more you can find. And if you dig deep enough, you will find the core of her actions. Squeaky’s core is her kind personality.

As Squeaky faces events, tribulations or just a small interaction between another person, she gains more character, either changing or adding to her traits. The events in the story create an aggressive but caring character, known as

The race is starting, and squeaky is giving herself a pep talk. She’s telling herself she has to win, and she doesn't have a choice. Why is winning so important to her is there something were missing? Yes! All the information is here, but it is missing the point, If your goal is to win the race. When you win you accomplish your goal, your goal was to race and win and you did. If there were 100 races and your goal was to win just one you wouldn't try so hard because, you know you're there are 99 other races you can win. But if you only have one chance to win you give it your all, your best and you try your hardest. So think about squeaky what else could she accomplish having a good relationship with her parents, keeping her brother and check, no! This is her one chance, make or break. In her mind she knows if she doesn’t accomplish this now, then she can't accomplish something else later. Squeaky is using running to escape the hardship of not accomplishing her other dreams and

Both Katy Perry and Squeaky are fighters, As it states in the song, “I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter/Dancing through the fire.” Squeaky also is a fighter with the eye of a tiger; “And tomorrow I'm subject to rin the quarter meter relay all by myself and come in first, second and third” (page 26 lines 27-29)This quote from the story shows that Squeaky is a fighter, she is determined to win, even if it mean doing it alone, like Katy Perry did, they are both fighters. In the story it says, “I always win cause I'm the best I say straight at Gretchen who is, as far as I'm concerned, the only one talking in this ventriloquist-dummy routine.”(page 30 lines 144-146.) Shows that squeaky is not just determined to win, but also determined to prove to others that she is the best and can win.

In the story "Raymond's Run," Squeaky is a young lady who is refining her qualities and identity. She is a determined young lady and will remain determined to accomplish the objective to be an extraordinary competitor and to at last beat Gretchen and win the up and coming race. Squeaky is exceptionally conceited all through the story; she figures out how to acknowledge an incentive in others as the story ends.

In the beginning, Squeaky is really protective with her Raymond. When Squeaky goes practice running, she needs to bring Raymond with her. Another reason is, if Raymond gets bullied, Squeaky would come in and fight with the bullies.Squeaky would say to the bullies that “You got anything to say to my brother, you say it to me, Mary Louise Williams off Raggedy Town Baltimore.”This shows

In the beginning of the short story “Raymond’s Run” the protagonist Squeaky only cares about herself and no one else. But throughout the story, she learns that caring for others and not just herself can have a positive impact on her life and would change everything. Squeaky is very selfish and want to be the fastest runner, and when everything goes wrong she runs. When she shows up at the races that is when she notices life is not all about her. When Mr. Peterson tells her to throw the race, and give someone else a try she looks at him squinting but not a nice squint.

It might seem like “Everything will be ok” and “Raymond’s Run” are two very different kinds of stories. One is about an ill cat and one is about a “little” girl having problems letting people in and making friends. Both stories are realistic fiction. Although, both stories share the same theme. In both stories the author teaches us that it is okay to be yourself.