Raymond's Run By Toni Cade Bambara

Written by Toni Cade Bambara, the short story Raymond’s Run takes place in New York City where a girl named Hazel who has a devotion for running is responsible for supervising her disabled brother Raymond. Throughout the story, Hazel comes upon many challenges including those who taunt Raymond, to which Hazel has to shield him, for he is defenseless. Hazel then runs the May Day fifty-yard dash competing with her rival Gretchen. The story comes to an end when Hazel wins the relay. The theme, or central idea of the story is that hard work and dedication are awarded. The theme is taught through the literary elements conflict, point of view, and setting.
The theme of the story Raymond’s Run is expressed through the literary element conflict. A conflict in a story is a struggle between an opposing force. There can be either an internal or external conflict. For example, when Gretchen, Mary Louise, and Rosie begin to taunt Raymond, Hazel becomes aggravated by the girls’ actions and defends Raymond, to which the girls walk away or “retreat.” This would be called an external conflict because it is a struggle between an outside force. Her dedication for sticking up for her

Point of view is the viewpoint from which the story is told. An example of point of view is when Hazel explains in first person point of view that she is responsible for her disabled brother Raymond, and she is forced to multitask while doing her breathing exercises and supervising Raymond. Hazel also has a dedication for defending her brother, and running because she practices each day. Her dedication to taking care of her brother was awarded at the end of the story when she took first place in the fifty-yard dash. Hazel was awarded first place because she was dedicated to defending her brother whenever trouble came his way. Something vital to keep in mind is that when there is dedication there are