Describe Raymond and Squeaky's relationship in "Raymond's Run."

In Toni Cade Bambara's short story, "Raymond's Run," Squeaky, whose real name is Hazel Elizabeth Deborah Parker, is the younger sister of Raymond, who is mentally challenged. Squeaky's main job is to take care of Raymond, and he goes everywhere with her. Raymond admires Squeaky, and Squeaky is fiercely protective and proud of Raymond. 

Sometimes I slip and say my little brother Raymond. But as any fool can see he’s much bigger and he’s older too. But a lot of people call him my little brother cause he needs looking after cause he’s not quite right. And a lot of smart mouths got lots to say about that too, especially when George was minding him. But now, if anybody has anything to say to Raymond, anything to say about his big head, they have to come by me.

The above quote shows Squeaky's protective qualities. She also shows these throughout the story with the things she does to keep Raymond safe. He doesn't have much regard for safety, and can't understand the danger he places himself in when he does things like run to a median in the road to see the pigeons. Squeaky always requires him to walk on the inside of her, closest to the buildings, in order to keep him safe.

Raymond loves and admires his sister. The evidence for this is that he listens to her and participates with her in the breathing exercises she does when they are out and about. He also runs with her everywhere she goes. Raymond doesn't say anything throughout the story, but his actions show his devotion to and love for his sister. 

The best glimpse we get into Squeaky and Raymond's relationship comes when Raymond is at the race with Squeaky toward the end of the story. 

Then I hear Raymond yanking at the fence to call me and I wave to shush him, but he keeps rattling the fence like a gorilla in a cage like in them gorilla movies, but then like a dancer or something he starts climbing up nice and easy but very fast. 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. . . 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.

During the race, Squeaky says she almost stopped to watch her brother's first run. This is significant considering how competitive Squeaky is' before this moment in the story, it seems like nothing will stop her from her desire to win. It shows that Raymond is more important to Squeaky than her running. It is also significant that after watching Raymond's run, she conceives the idea to give up her running and train Raymond. This is self-sacrificing, and the definition of love.

Raymond shows his love by wanting to be near Squeaky. He shows his admiration for her by running like she does. Squeaky had never seen him run before that day. It fills her with pride in her brother and overshadows her pride in herself.

What is Squeaky's relationship with her mother in "Raymond's Run?"

Squeaky and her mother do not seem to be particularly close.

Squeaky’s relationship with her mother is not well-defined in the story, but we can make inferences.  They do not seem close.  First of all, she calls her “my mother” and not mom.   That does not indicate closeness.  Then the incidents she describes indicate respect, but not affection.

We know that Squeaky is under a lot of stress because she feels that the burden of taking care of her brother falls mostly on her, for example.  She becomes the parent to him.  However, she seems to appreciate and respect the fact that her mother takes care of the housework.

 I don’t have much work to do around the house like some girls. My mother does that. … And anything else that’s got to get done, my father does. All I have to do in life is mind my brother Raymond, which is enough.

It seems as if the division of labor in the family is clear.  Squeaky takes care of her brother, and she doesn’t have any other chores.  Taking care of her brother is a full time job though.  He is special, because he has mental challenges.  His emotional age is lower than his physical age.  He has a big imagination and does not act his age, often embarrassing himself and her, and requiring her to stand up for him, which she does.

Squeaky’s mother does not really understand her love of running.  We can see this in that she does not seem to understand the drills that Squeaky does that make her look silly.

I’ll high-prance down 34th Street like a rodeo pony to keep my knees strong even if it does get my mother uptight so that she walks ahead like she’s not with me, don’t know me, is all by herself on a shopping trip, and I am somebody else’s crazy child.

It seems that appearances matter to Squeaky’s mother, and she does not want to be seen with children who act funny.  In that case, Raymond must embarrass her too.  This might be why she has passed the responsibility for him off on Squeaky.  He is the one, after all, who pretends he has a mule team with him.

Squeaky’s mother would prefer she acted she participated in the more tradition feminine activities, rather than the race.

The biggest thing on the program is the May Pole dancing, which I can do without, thank you, even if my mother thinks it’s a shame I don’t take part and act like a girl for a change.

Again, this shows that her mother does not really understand her and is not getting to know her.  She doesn’t realize how important the race is to her.  She just wants her to be like all of the other girls.  She does not want to give her parents opportunities to “dress up and clap.” 

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

She is about the race.  She knows who she is.  Her parents should appreciate that too.

Squeaky does win the race, and she is proud of herself when she does so.  She can forget about piano lessons and pleasing her parents.  She decides to be happy with who she is.  She is also happy because she noticed that Raymond kept up with her.  She realizes that she can coach him too.  It is a nice discovery.  It gives her someone she has something in common with, and finally someone who understands her.

Part of growing up is figuring out where you fit in to the grand scheme of things.  Squeaky had a passion, but did not really fit in to her family or her neighborhood.  In this story, she learns that she can do both.  She finds a connection with Raymond and with Gretchen, through the love of one thing they all share.  

What is Squeaky's relationship with her mother in "Raymond's Run?"

In Toni Cade Bambara’s short story “Raymond’s Run,” Squeaky and her mother have differing ideas on the role of young girls, which makes their relationship strained.

Squeaky’s mother cares for their home, while Squeaky’s contribution to the family is to care for her disabled brother, Raymond. This indicates they do not spend a lot of time together.

While she describes the scene at the May Day celebration, Squeaky tells about the year she dressed up as a strawberry in the festivities. When her parents came to watch her dance, they were dressed in their best attire showing their pride in her participation. Squeaky thinks the whole thing is “nonsense.”

I was once a strawberry in a Hansel and Gretel pageant when I was in nursery school and didn’t have no better sense than to dance on tiptoe with my arms in a circle over my head doing umbrella steps and being a perfect fool just so my mother and father could come dressed up and clap. You’d think they’d know better than to encourage that kind of nonsense.

At her age, Squeaky refuses to participate in the dancing portion of the May Day celebration. She shows up just in time for the race, even though her mother would prefer that she joined in the dancing. Squeaky is not a “girly” girl, preferring to show her prowess through her running.

The biggest thing on the program is the May Pole dancing,which I can do without, thank you, even if my mother thinks it’s a shame I don’t take part and act like a girl for a change.

In Squeaky’s mind she is doing her parents a favor by not making them purchase a special dress and shoes that will be used for one day, while she dances and pretends to a “fairy.” She believes you should be yourself and be proud of your individuality, which for her is running her best.

How does Squeaky's relationship with Raymond and Gretchen evolve in "Raymond's Run"?

Squeaky will likely get along well with Gretchen and have a new appreciation of her brother.

Raymond is Squeaky’s older brother, but she thinks of him as a younger brother because he is mentally challenged.  He acts more like a little boy.  Squeaky is also very protective of him.

Sometimes I slip and say my little brother Raymond. But as any fool can see he’s much bigger and he’s older too. But a lot of people call him my little brother cause he needs looking after cause he’s not quite right.

Squeaky is very independent.  Her insistence on protecting Raymond often causes a rift between her and other children her age.  Squeaky doesn’t like the girls in her neighborhood because she considers them insincere.  She has a particular problem with Gretchen, because she shares Squeaky’s favorite hobby—running.

Squeaky sees Gretchen as competition rather than a friend. She sees Raymond as a responsibility rather than a brother.  However, on the day of the race everything changes.  Gretchen comes in second place, helping Squeaky realize that she really is serious about running.  Raymond also keeps pace with Squeaky, proving that he has talent as a runner.

In one race, Squeaky earns a potential friend and a new way to communicate with her brother.  With both of them, she never quite felt comfortable before.  Now she feels that they understand her. 

And I look over at Gretchen wondering what the “P” stands for. And I smile. Cause she’s good, no doubt about it. Maybe she’d like to help me coach Raymond; she obviously is serious about running, as any fool can see.

For the first time, Squeaky is ready to let her guard down enough to make a friend.  She also feels like Raymond can be more than just her “little” brother.  She can coach him to be a runner, using what they have in common to come to an understanding and find common ground.

Why does Squeaky spend so much time with Raymond in "Raymond's Run"?

In Toni Cade Bambara's short story "Raymond's Run," Squeaky spends most of her time with her brother Raymond. Raymond has hydrocephalus, a condition that causes him to be mentally handicapped, and Squeaky is responsible for him. Raymond is her older brother, but he has the mental capability of a much younger child, so Squeaky looks after him for her parents while they work. Since Squeaky is preparing for the May Day Race, Raymond prepares alongside her. She exercises and practices running, and she expects Raymond to keep up with her.

"And you can see me any time of day practicing running. I never walk if I can trot, and shame on Raymond if he can't keep up. But of course he does, 'cause if he hangs back someone's liable to walk up to him and get smart, or take his allowance e from him, or ask him where he got that great big pumpkin head" (Bambara 4).

Though Squeaky and Raymond spend a lot of time together, it isn't until the end of the story that Squeaky realizes how her practice has really rubbed off on Raymond, and that he has become a good runner in his own right.

What are Squeaky's two greatest traits in "Raymond's Run"?

Squeaky is depicted as a confident, athletic young girl who takes pride in her work ethic and is distinguished as the fastest girl around town. At the beginning of the story, Squeaky reveals that she is proud of her impressive abilities as a runner and tells the audience:

And as anybody can tell you, I’m the fastest thing on two feet. (Bambara 1)

Squeaky proceeds to describe how she won consecutive May Day races and says that the older kids nicknamed her Mercury because she is so fast. Squeaky once again brags about her speed by saying that the new girl Gretchen doesn't have a chance to take first place because "no one can beat me and that’s all there is to it."

Another attribute that Squeaky values is her remarkable work ethic. Squeaky elaborates on the numerous exercises she does to improve her speed and condition. Squeaky mentions that she does breathing exercises when she strolls down Broadway and prances down the street to strengthen her legs, which happens to embarrass her mother. Squeaky shows that she values her work ethic by saying:

Now some people like to act like things come easy to them, won’t let on that they practice. Not me. I’ll high-prance down 34th Street like a rodeo pony to keep my knees strong even if it does get my mother uptight so that she walks ahead like she’s not with me (Bambara 2)

In addition to Squeaky's speed and work ethic, she also values her aggressive, tough attitude. Squeaky views herself as a strong young girl who is not afraid to stand up to bullies. When she runs into Gretchen, Mary Louise, and Rosie, she does not try to cross the street or hide in a nearby store. Squeaky stands her ground and confronts her enemies. She says:

I’m ready to fight, cause like I said I don’t feature a whole lot of chit-chat, I much prefer to just knock you down right from the jump and save everybody a lotta precious time (Bambara 2)

Overall, Squeaky values her impressive abilities as a runner, her remarkable work ethic, and her aggressive nature.

What lessons can be learned from Squeaky and Raymond's relationship in "Raymond's Run"?

There’s a lot we can learn from the bonding between Squeaky and Raymond. Their relationship exemplifies deep attachment and selfless love between siblings. Squeaky teaches us that true love is never affected by one’s drawbacks, while Raymond teaches us not to grumble about the activity our loved one is passionate about. 

Most importantly, both of them teach that true love can bring about unexpected positive changes in one another. It’s through their love for one another that brings about a sudden change in their attitudes towards their lives, giving them their moments of epiphany.

We see that Squeaky is transformed into a much more mature and content girl towards the end of the story. She is able to transcend the fear of losing her reputation as “the fastest thing on two feet.” Actually, she is overwhelmed at her discovery that Raymond can be groomed to become a great runner. She’d like to become his coach and help him to make his life meaningful.

On the other hand, Squeaky's company has drawn out the inherent athletic talents in Raymond. When Squeaky would run on the streets, Raymond would follow her. He would also copy her breathing exercises. These habits gradually developed his running skills without his or Squeaky’s noticing them.

Imagine what would have happened had Squeaky found accompanying her brother Raymond, who suffers from cognitive disabilities, to be a burden, or had Raymond objected to Squeaky’s constant running habits and demanding breathing exercises.

Perhaps they’d never have found the epiphanic moments that have brought them immense satisfaction. These moments were possible because true love has taught them never to complain about each other’s shortcomings or eccentricities. Without putting in any extra ounce of effort, they have always known how to accommodate each other with whatever they are. This is possible only when you love someone from the bottom of your heart. Squeaky and Raymond have always loved each other with the sole objective of seeing each other happy and unharmed.

Most importantly, they teach us how to love truly.

Describe Squeaky's relationship with her mother in "Raymond's Run" by Toni Cade Bambara.

Squeaky is the protagonist and narrator of "Raymond's Run" by Toni Cade Bambara. We know a lot about her relationship with her brother, Raymond, but we know very little about her relationship with either of her parents. In fact, we know everything the author wants us to know about the relationship in two sentences found in the first paragraph of the story.

Hazel Elizabeth Deborah Parker, known as Squeaky, says this:

I don’t have much work to do around the house like some girls. My mother does that. And I don’t have to earn my pocket money by hustling; George runs errands for the big boys and sells Christmas cards. And anything else that’s got to get done, my father does. All I have to do in life is mind my brother Raymond, which is enough. 

So, what we know is that Squeaky's mother does not make her do any chores like most of the other mothers do with their daughters; her mother does them herself. She obviously does the chores in exchange for one job--taking care of her mentally challenged brother, Raymond. 

You ask about the relationship between mother and daughter, and that is difficult to ascertain just by these two facts. Perhaps Squeaky's mother is incapable of taking care of Raymond, or perhaps she knows Squeaky is better suited to the task. Perhaps there is something more selfish or unkind involved, but that does not seem likely.

Whatever the reason for this kind of role reversal, it seems to suit Squeaky just fine. She has figured out a way to care for Raymond and truly seems to care about him. And, even with the difficult and time-consuming task of caring for Raymond, Squeaky finds the time and energy to do her own work and accomplish her own goals--with a positive attitude. However odd it may seem to us, her relationship with her mother seems perfectly acceptable to Squeaky. More importantly, the fact that the author reveals so little about Squeaky's mother suggests that it must not matter very much to the story.

How does Raymond influence Squeaky's world in "Raymond's Run"?

Squeaky's world revolves around her brother in a big way. Because Raymond is mentally disabled, Squeaky takes on the role of being his protector. Although Raymond is her older brother, Squeaky takes special care to keep her brother safe. She shields him socially and environmentally. When the other children in the neighborhood try to make fun of Raymond, Squeaky often comes to his rescue.

While training for her races, Squeaky is careful to run a certain path in the neighborhood so that her brother doesn't get lost or wander into the street. These are not things that a typical tweenager would consider. While many girls her age are into music and fashion, Squeaky's main concern is the safety and livelihood of her disabled brother.