‘Raymond’s Run’ by Toni Cade Bambara, is a short story narrated by Hazel Parker and is known as Squeaky in the story. When Squeaky was participating in the May Day celebration, where she won the most important game in her life. During the game, she saw Raymond running alongside the track, She got inspired by this action Raymond has made, this is the time when she decided to become his coach. This short story is about personal development and care.
The main theme in this short story is about identity. “We stand there with this big smile of respect between us. It’s about as real a smile as girls can do for each other, considering we don’t practice real smiling every day, you know, cause maybe we too busy being flowers or fairies or strawberries instead of something honest and worthy of respect . . . you know . . . like being people.” This quote shows the development of Hazel throughout the story. In the beginning Hazel talks about she was been pick on by other girls about her and her brother, as she develops her personal identity, she eventually alleviates the previous unhappiness, and she realise the importance of respect others for their unique personalities. This short story makes me think about nowadays in the Senior classes, teacher began to encourage students to participate in a variety of social practice activities, to have an opportunity to try out some field that we no familiar with, which could develop personal interests. Nowadays, high school students are more likely inclined to social entertainment, but they forgot the importance of personal development. Before I read this short story, I was very confused about how could social practice activities related to the personal development. But after I had read this short story, I have realized if there were not May Day celebration for Hazel to compete, maybe Hazel would never realise she has overlooked he older brother as a unique person; maybe she was never able to become introspective; never find out she was a perseverance, caring person…etc. As a Senior student, one lesson I learnt from the short story was, participating social activities could build up my personal development and get to know myself in other ways. And the most important things I get to make new friends, just like how Hazel have compete the race, she not only finds out her identity, but also get to know a truly friend.
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A main idea in this short story is about care. “ And I smile. We stand there with this big smile of respect between us. It’s about as real a smile as girls can do for each other, considering we don’t practice real smiling every day, you know, cause maybe we too busy being flowers or fairies or strawberries instead of something honest and worthy of respect . . . you know . . . like being people.” This quote shows Hazel finally realise the importance showing care to the others, this refers to she realise her opinion on the smile of Gretchen has change, after the May celebration, Hazel realised the importance between people is to show you care about each other and respect. This short story makes a connection with me when I first came to New Zealand. It reminded me of my poor English 4 years ago. One thing I would never forget is the smile from my best friend when we first meet. After I read this short story, I’m finally realise the meaning in that smile between us, this has beyond language, this smile represents understanding, tolerance, and acceptance. It remined me of I have a teacher who never praises me, but when she comes to corrects my homework, my comment is always the most. This is my first time knowing that when you want to show care to other people you don’t have to say it verbally, you could do it by action.
Toni Cade Bambara’s short story is told through Hazel’s eye it makes the reader gets a closer connection with the main character. A lesson I learnt from the short story is to development personal opinion, which that could help you to solve some problems you are facing in life. And the main idea has a strong connecting to myself which inspires me from my previses personal experience .Overall, I really enjoyed reading this story, it makes me to think more positively and knowing how to show care towards others.
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