Who Is Squeaky In Raymond's Run

Words: 1397
Pages: 6

Even the strongest characters have weak moments. No matter how brave they may seem; no matter how iron their heart, they have emotions. Toni Cade Bambara has woven together a masterpiece of a short story, “Raymond’s Run.” The story centers around Hazel Elizabeth Deborah Parker, or Squeaky, for short, and her mentally challenged older brother, Raymond. Squeaky is a perfect example of somebody who hides their true emotions. She has to do so, in order to take care of her brother. At the moment, Squeaky has one purpose in life: to mind Raymond. She is perfectly fine with this, as it allows her to escape her decidedly feminine responsibilities. Raymond tags along as Squeaky runs, as running is her one escape from reality. Being the “swiftest thing …show more content…
I dream I'm flying over a sandy beach in the early morning sun, kissing the leaves of the trees as I fly by. And there's always the smell of apples, just like when I was in the country when I was little and used to think I was a choo-choo train, running through the fields of corn and chugging up the hill to the orchard. And all the time I'm dreaming this, I get lighter and lighter until I'm flying over the beach again, getting blown through the sky like a feather that weighs nothing at all” (Pgs. 35-36, Lines …show more content…
Doesn’t he always keep up with me on my trots? And he surely knows how to breathe in counts of seven cause he’s always doing it at the dinner table, which drives my brother George up the wall. And I’m smiling to beat the band, cause if I’ve lost this race, or even if Gretchen and I tied, or even if I’ve won, I can always retire as a runner and begin a whole new career as a coach with Raymond as my champion” (Pg. 38, Lines 353 - 362).
As Squeaky finishes running, she realizes that Raymond is more than just a responsibility; he has potential to become a great runner. Seeing this new side of Squeaky shows that she is truly caring and kind, and that when it comes to Raymond, it doesn’t matter if she wins or loses. Squeaky devotes her life to looking out for Raymond. But once she sees that he can actually do things, she can let go of some of her roughness and release the kind, loving side of her that is currently