“Raymond’s Run” by Toni Cade Bambara

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 4

Summary

“Raymond’s Run” follows a young girl named Squeaky, who lives in Harlem and takes pride in being the fastest runner in her neighborhood. She’s fiercely protective of her older brother Raymond, who has a developmental disability. Squeaky is tough, outspoken, and takes her responsibilities seriously, especially when it comes to looking after Raymond and preparing for the annual May Day race.

As she prepares for the race, Squeaky sees Gretchen, a new girl and potential rival. On race day, Squeaky wins—or possibly ties—but what matters more to her is a shift in perspective: for the first time, she sees Raymond not just as someone to care for, but as someone with potential—he’s been running alongside her and might be a good runner too.

In the end, Squeaky realizes there’s more to life than just winning. She considers stepping back from racing to coach Raymond, showing personal growth, empathy, and a new understanding of success.

Eigenlijk wint Sqeaky, maar daar ligt de nadruk niet op!

Plot

• Exposition: Squeaky is a fast, confident girl who takes care of her brother Raymond.
• Rising Action: She trains for the May Day race and faces rivalry with Gretchen.
• Climax: During the race, she notices Raymond running alongside her.
• Falling Action: Squeaky reflects on Raymond’s potential and respects Gretchen.
• Resolution (denouement): She wins the race but decides she might coach Raymond instead.

Characters

• Protagonist: Squeaky – a confident, fast runner who looks after her brother Raymond.
  
• Antagonist: Gretchen – her main rival in the May Day race.
• Characterization: Squeaky is portrayed through her bold voice, protective attitude toward Raymond, and her passion for running. Her speech shows her cultural background and strong personality.
• Static vs. Dynamic: Squeaky is a dynamic character – she changes by the end of the story, shifting her focus from winning to recognizing Raymond’s potential and respecting others like Gretchen.

Point of view

• The story is told in first-person narration.
• Squeaky is the narrator, using “I” and sharing her personal thoughts and feelings.
• This creates a personal and direct connection with the reader.
• We see the world through her eyes, including her opinions, emotions, and growth.

Setting

• Backdrop setting: vague and general.
• Takes place in a city neighborhood (likely Harlem, NYC).
• Time: Modern-day (1970s), during the May Day race.
• Environment: Urban neighborhood with busy streets, a park, and a school track
• Focus is on Squeaky’s world, not detailed location.
• Helps create a universal, relatable story.

Conflict

Internal conflict:
 → Squeaky vs. herself
 → Her pride vs. empathy and growth.

External conflict:

→ Squeaky vs. society (gender roles, expectations)

→ Squeaky vs. Gretchen (competition/rivalry)

Conflict drives Squeaky’s character development.

Themes

• Importance of family and sibling relationships
• Personal growth and self-discovery
• Finding value beyond competition
• Challenging stereotypes and gender roles
• Celebrating unique talents and differences
• 
  

Poetic Devices

• Imagery: Vivid descriptions of running and the race atmosphere
• Repetition: Emphasizes Squeaky’s determination and thoughts
• Metaphor: Running as a metaphor for life and challenges
• Dialogue: Reveals character personality and relationships
• Tone: Energetic and confident, reflecting Squeaky’s spirit

Exam question (example)

Exam answer (example)