Short summary of raymonds run by toni

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An epiphany is a realisation that a character has about themselves, or the world around them. Raymond has an intellectual disability.

Aside from being Raymond’s caregiver and protector, Squeaky is a passionate and confident runner. In the story, a young girl named Hazel Parker prepares for a race; Bambara uses this plot to explore the challenges young black women face as they learn to assert their own identity while also dealing with family loyalties.

‘Raymond’s Run’: plot summary

The story is narrated in the first person by Hazel Parker, a young black girl who is known in her neighbourhood as ‘Squeaky’ on account of her voice.

This may be important as for the first time in the story Squeaky is putting aside the most important thing in her life (her running) and thinking about helping someone else to run. She wonders if Gretchen could even help her to coach Raymond as a runner. Which may also be important as it is possible that Squeaky through her dedication to Raymond loves him very much.

She defines herself partly by both Raymond (whom she has to take care of) and Gretchen (who, having stolen her former friends from her, is a kind of shadow or reflection of Hazel herself).

But Bambara also uses ‘Raymond’s Run’ to explore the ways in which society encourages girls to behave in certain conservative, predetermined ways. Taken from her Gorilla, My Love collection the story is narrated in the first person by a young girl called Squeaky and after reading the story the reader realises that Bambara may be exploring the theme of dedication.

This is further complicated by the fact that Rosie and Mary Louis are reinforcing the idea, and this becomes disturbing to Hazel.

Hazel compares herself to other characters that have fewer attractive qualities.

Parents want their daughters to triumph so they can boast about their high-achieving child.

Many modern short stories contain an epiphany, often at the end of the story. She knows that there are cruel people in the world who would take advantage of Raymond if they could. There is also a sense that any barriers that existed between Squeaky and Gretchen have been torn down when Gretchen congratulates Squeaky for winning the race.

These two strands are both resolved, or at least altered, at the end of the story when Hazel sees both Raymond and, by extension, Gretchen too in a different light.

The story can thus be categorised as a coming-of-age story, or a story about an important rite of passage which the protagonist undergoes while growing up. Where communion and sociability should be encouraged, rivalry and competition are instead fostered through piano recitals, spelling contests, and, of course, running races.

This may be important as it suggests that Squeaky is dedicated to not only her running but also to taking care of Raymond. "Raymond's Run by Toni Cade Bambara." The Sitting Bee. Squeaky spends her time when she is not practicing her running, looking after her older brother Raymond. She speaks of Cynthia Procter and the fact that she does not practice playing the piano or spelling.

She faces a challenge from the new girl in town, Gretchen P. Lewis. So Squeaky has to be tougher than her years. She shows that she is an individual with a strong mind. Squeaky always knows where Raymond is and what he is doing. Gretchen has recently arrived in the neighbourhood and intends to run in the fifty-yard dash against Hazel the following day.

In addition to this, a couple of Hazel’s former friends, Mary Louise and Rosie, are now hanging out with Gretchen.