Raymond's Run Analysis

Words: 596
Pages: 3

Raymond’s Run” is a realistic fictional story by the descriptive author, Toni Cade Bambara. The story is set in Manhattan, New York, and focuses on an energetic girl named Hazel or her pet name Squeaky. Hazel is serious about running and sticks up for her special brother, Raymond, when necessary. In the text, Hazel describes her frustrations around being whoever you want to be. In the end, she uses the phrase “Like being people.” To Squeaky, “Like being people” means to be whoever you want to be.

First, Squeaky proves to be the unique girl who she wants to be. Hazel does not want to be a girl who her mother wants her to be. Squeaky exclaims, “Prancing around a maypole getting all the new clothes sweaty and dirty…” (p. 32, lines 183-187). Clearly,