“Raymond’s Run”by Toni Cade Bambara

Holt Literature p. 38

Raymond’s Run is set in Harlem during the 1970s.

“Raymond’s Run” – Build Background Information

• Squeaky’s brother has a condition called hydrocephalus.

• The symptoms of this disorder include a swelling of the head caused by too much fluid collecting in the skull.

• Sometimes the excess fluid damages the brain.

• Hydrocephalus may be caused by an infection, a tumor, a major head injury, or a malformation of the brain before birth.

• It is fairly rare and only affects 1 out of 1000 children.

Allusion to Mercury

Mercury was a swift messenger to the gods in Roman mythology.

Mercury is a chemical element with the symbol Hg and atomic 80. It is also known as quicksilver.It is the only metal in liquid form; it is silver in color.

Allusion to “Dodge City”

Dodge City is town in southwestern Kansas on the Arkansas River, formerly a rowdy cow town.

The expression “get out of Dodge” means to leave before trouble starts. It is an allusion to the Wild West gun fight often shown in Westerns.

Vocabulary• relay – race in which several team members

take turns running to complete the race• clutch – to grasp and hold tightly• prodigy-a young person with an exceptional

talent• liable – likely to• sidekick – a close friend; a follower who

accompanies someone on adventures• crouch – to stoop with bent knees

Plot

• exposition- introduces the setting and the characters; reveals the conflict or set the stage for it.

• rising action – introduces complications in the conflict; builds suspense (‘the plot thickens”)

• climax – turning point in the story; the conflict at its most intense and dramatic; can also be the protagonist making a decision

• falling action – reveals the outcome of the story’s climax

• resolution – the story’s final outcome; ties up any loose ends

• exposition – introduces Squeaky and Raymond; establishes her as a runner

• rising action – the encounter on the street with Gretchen and the other girls; the race; the wait for the winner to be announced

• climax – Squeaky decides she doesn’t care if she wins or not; realizes Raymond can be a good runner; she sees her brother in a new light

• falling action – Squeaky wins the race; she plans to coach Raymond

• resolution – Squeaky and Gretchen smile “real smiles” at each other

Informal Diction• the diction of everyday language• relaxed and conversational• use of common and simple words• includes use of contractions• may include colloquial expressions and idioms• may include the use of slang