Raymond's Run

“But now, if anybody has anything to say to Raymond, anything to say about his big head, they have to come by me. And I don’t play the dozens or believe in standing around with somebody in my face doing a lot of talking. I much rather just knock you down and take my chances even if I am a little girl with skinny arms and a squeaky voice, which is how I got the name Squeaky.” 

This quote illustrates how seriously Squeaky takes her job of looking after Raymond. She is fiercely protective of him, perhaps even in ways that are unnecessary. The quote also demonstrates Squeaky’s desire to handle issues head on, regardless of her size or unintimidating voice. We see here Squeaky’s initial perception of Raymond as someone who needs protecting, but who doesn’t necessarily have any ambitions or voice. Later, Squeaky’s understanding of Raymond changes, and she sees him as a potential runner like herself.

“So I keep Raymond on the inside of me, and he plays like he’s driving a stage coach which is OK by me so long as he doesn’t run me over or interrupt my breathing exercises, which I have to do on account of I’m serious about my running, and I don’t care who knows it.” 

This quote demonstrates Squeaky’s ability to simultaneously juggle her responsibilities and hobbies. She practices her breathing exercises while looking after Raymond at the same time, even though it is not always easy. The quote is also the first time Squeaky explicitly states that she is a serious runner—it is more than just a hobby to her; it’s an important aspect of her identity.

“Now some people like to act like things come easy to them, won’t let on that they practice. Not me.” 

This quote illustrates the pride Squeaky takes in working hard. Unlike some people, namely Cynthia, she is not ashamed to admit that she studies hard for spelling bees or practices breathing exercises before she competes. She takes pride in the effort she puts into growing and getting better.

“Gretchen smiles, but it’s not a smile, and I’m thinking that girls never really smile at each other because they don’t know how and don’t want to know how and there’s probably no one to teach us how, cause grown-up girls don’t know either.” 

This quote reflects the complicated relationship Squeaky has with other girls her age. Though Squeaky mentions that she used to be friends with Mary Louise, she does not mention having any girls her age with whom she is close. This quote demonstrates the rivalry between herself and Gretchen, a fellow runner, and how Squeaky assumes that all relations between women are tense because she has not experienced a female friendship.

“You’d think she’d be glad her daughter ain’t out there prancing around a May Pole getting the new clothes all dirty and sweaty and trying to act like a fairy or a flower or whatever you’re supposed to be when you should be trying to be yourself, whatever that is, which is, as far as I am concerned, a poor black girl who really can’t afford to buy shoes and a new dress you only wear once a lifetime cause it won’t fit next year.” 

This quote distinguishes Squeaky from other girls her age. Unlike her peers, Squeaky has no interest in participating in the May Day dancing, because it is not something that she enjoys doing, like running. The quote also alludes to her mother’s disappointment that Squeaky is not like the other girls, and Squeaky’s unwillingness to conform just to please her mother. Squeaky is practical in her derision of the May Pole dance: She recognizes the cost of the dress and the frivolity of buying one, which further distinguishes her from her peers.

“I am not a strawberry. I do not dance on my toes. I run. That is what I am all about.” 

Squeaky demonstrates an awareness of herself and identity. She knows she does not like to do what most of the other girls are doing, so she does not try to be something she is not. She sees the value in being authentic to herself, and she would rather pursue her actual interests than subscribe to the gender performance that is expected of her. This speaks to the theme of “Identity and Awareness of Oneself.”

“I give him such a look he couldn’t finish putting that idea into words. Grown-ups got a lot of nerve sometimes. I pin number seven to myself and stomp away, I’m so burnt.” 

This quote indicates the difference in perspectives between a child, Squeaky, and an adult, Mr. Pearson. She is annoyed that he expects her to give up the race so someone else can have a chance at winning and is not afraid to express that annoyance. To Mr. Pearson, the race is not a serious endeavor; to Squeaky, it is something she has been practicing for, and it’s an achievement she looks forward to experiencing.

“Every time, just before I take off in a race, I always feel like I’m in a dream, the kind of dream you have when you’re sick with fever and feel all hot and weightless.” 

This quote reflects the transformative effect that running has on Squeaky. To Squeaky, running is more than just a fun hobby. Running allows her to escape reality for a moment, and rather than try to juggle school, extracurriculars, and Raymond, it enables her to focus wholly on something she is passionate about. Running makes her feel the most alive and emotionally fulfilled.

“But once I spread my fingers in the dirt and crouch over the Get on Your Mark, the dream goes and I am solid again and am telling myself, Squeaky you must win, you must win, you are the fastest thing in the world, you can even beat your father up Amsterdam if you really try.”

While also allowing her to experience a dream-like state of euphoria, running also grounds Squeaky. Running gives her something toward which to work, which pushes her practice and work hard to achieve her goals. We see here her confidence and her self-affirmations.

“And on the other side of the fence is Raymond with his arms down to his side and the palms tucked up behind him, running in his very own style, and it’s the first time I ever saw that and I almost stop to watch my brother Raymond on his first run.” 

Squeaky realizes in this moment that Raymond is perhaps more like her than she had ever considered. Though his running style is unique, she is impressed by his commitment to the race, despite that he is not officially competing. The author draws the story’s title from this moment, underscoring that it’s the major event that changes Squeaky. 

“And it occurs to me, watching how smoothly he climbs hand over hand and remembering how he looked running with his arms down to his side and with the wind pulling his mouth back and his teeth showing and all, it occurred to me that Raymond would make a very fine runner.”

This quote indicates a major epiphany for Squeaky. Raymond is more than the brother that she needs to look after, but in fact, someone with potential to be just as good a runner as she is. This quote marks the moment when Squeaky begins seeing her brother in a new light.

“And I’m smiling to beat the band cause if I’ve lost this race, or if me and Gretchen 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. After all, with a little more study I can beat Cynthia and her phony self at the spelling bee. And if I bugged my mother, I could get piano lessons and become a star. And I have a big rep as the baddest thing around. And I’ve got a roomful of ribbons and medals and awards. But what has Raymond got to call his own?”

This quote reflects Squeaky’s realization that she has many options in life. If her dreams do not pan out, she has plenty of opportunities to try other things, such as becoming a running coach for Raymond or taking piano lessons and becoming a musician. This is the first time that Squeaky assigns Raymond personhood, internally giving him his own aspirations and considering with empathy what he might accomplish.

“And by the time he comes over I’m jumping up and down so glad to see him—my brother Raymond, a great runner in the family tradition. But of course everyone thinks I’m jumping up and down because the men on the loudspeaker have finally gotten themselves together and compared notes and are announcing ‘In first place—Miss Hazel Elizabeth Deborah Parker.’”

This quote illustrates the love that Squeaky has for her brother. Even though he did not officially compete, she is proud of him for participating in his first run. Her pride for him is so great that it completely overshadows the pride she feels about her own win. This is the greatest demonstration of Squeaky’s shift in perspective; before, the only thing that mattered to her was winning the race, and her obligations to Raymond were a burden. Now, Squeaky is thrilled by her brother’s success and sees herself in the role of coach rather than caregiver.