Short Story Raymond's Run

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.

Do you think “What we see in ourselves can help us learn to respect others.” The story we read is called Raymond's run and it is about how a young girl named Squeaky is a very talented runner and has to take care of her disabled brother Raymond. Squeaky’s view of her own determination and drive helps her to learn to appreciate those values in others. Squeaky’s revelation about the talents of those like Gretchen and her brother, Raymond, help her mold her opinion and form respect for the both of them.

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,

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

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.

And above all she wants to be the best at everything. These are all connected to being determined because she wants to do all this and she is dedicated into that. The first reason why Squeaky is determined is because she stands up for her brother Raymond. In the story it says “That’s right fatso.

“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”

As she witnesses people trying to tease and bully Raymond because of his disability, she feels angry and is worried about her brother. Because of that she is caring of Raymond but protects him from others by fighting or threatening. Due to that event she collects the characteristics caring and aggressive. This quote shows how Raymond affected Squeaky when she became old enough to watch out for her brother, causing her to change greatly. She was kind and girly back then when her parents still dressed her up with fancy shoes and a white dress to dance at an annual event.

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 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.

In the short story “Raymond's Run” by Toni Cade, Squeaky Is the “spunky kid’. Squeaky is very spunky because, she does whatever makes her happy, and is not afraid to stand up for herself or anybody else. In the short story, it is shown that she does whatever makes her happy. Although running is not the most popular sport, and not many people do it, she still does it (1). This shows how she is spunky because she does not care what everyone else is doing, she just does what makes her happy. She also isn't afraid to stand up for herself, or anyone else. Not only is she not scared to stand up for herself, but for her brother. “You got anything to say to my brother, you say it to me, Mary Louise Williams of raggedy town, Baltimore” (3). This shows

Squeaky narrates and uses interior monologue to describe her sad life. At the current point in time, she starts thinking about her mentally challenged brother, Raymond, and how she gets into a lot of fights. This is because they bully him and get away with it. Since Squeaky gets into a lot of fights, she is advantaged and disadvantaged at times. She manages to use her bravery to her advantage as she even advantages herself in times of disadvantage.

The character Squeaky from “Raymond's Run” by Toni Cade Bambara; is sporty, smart, and dedicated. Squeaky is not like many other kids. She has always loved running and is very good at it to that is why she is sporty. She never gives up that is why she is dedicated. She always studies that is why she is smart.

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.