Feature Menu

Raymond’s Run by Toni Cade Bambara

Introducing the Story

Literary Skills Focus: Style—Dialect

Literary Skills Focus: Style—Allusions

Reading Skills Focus: Analyzing Style—Literary Devices

Writing Skills Focus: Think as a Reader/Writer

Tech Focus

Raymond’s Run by Toni Cade Bambara

What does a person need to do to gain respect?

Raymond’s Run by Toni Cade Bambara

Click on the title to start the video.

Raymond’s Run Introducing the Story

[End of Section]

Squeaky got her nickname because she’s small, with skinny arms and a squeaky voice.

For the first time, she faces a talented opponent. Will she keep her first-place status?

Squeaky may be small, but she has won every track meet she ever entered.

Raymond’s Run Literary Skills Focus: Dialect

Dialect is a way of speaking characteristic of a certain geographical area or certain group of people.

A dialect becomes accepted in a culture and is adapted and used in speaking and writing.

Howdy, partner.

Hey, sugar.

How y’all doin’?

Hi, you guys.

What’s up?

Raymond’s Run Literary Skills Focus: Dialect

A British speaker of English uses different words: He or she speaks in a British dialect.

Everyone speaks a dialect of some kind. For example, in the American dialect of English, a car has a hood in front and a trunk in back, and it runs on gas.

hoodgas tank

hoodtrunk

gas tank

bonnetboot

petrol tank

trunk

bonnet

boot

petrol tank

Raymond’s Run Literary Skills Focus: Dialect

Writers may use dialect to bring a character to life.

My character is

thirsty. Would she ask for . . .

a soda?

a tonic?

some pop?

Raymond’s Run Literary Skills Focus: Dialect

In “Raymond’s Run,” the main character speaks in a dialect used in New York City’s Harlem in the 1970s.

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. “Raymond’s Run” from Gorilla, My Love by Toni Cade Bambara. Copyright © 1971 by Toni Cade Bambara. Reproduced by permission of Random House, Inc., www.randomhouse.com.

How does Squeaky’s “voice” help you picture her?[End of Section]

An allusion is a reference drawn from literature, popular culture, or current events.

For example, a writer might say, “He lied so much he had a nose like Pinocchio” or “She was as sweet as Snow White.”

In both cases, the writer is making an allusion to a familiar literary character.

Raymond’s Run Literary Skills Focus: Allusions

Writers use allusions to create comparisons that make characters come to life.

The writer assumes that the reader is familiar with an allusion through general knowledge.

Even though his name was Joe, his friends

called him Honest Abe.

Raymond’s Run Literary Skills Focus: Allusions

[End of Section]

This story’s main character, Squeaky, speaks in dialect and uses allusions.

These and other details help create Squeaky’s voice.

Raymond’s Run Reading Skills Focus: Literary Devices

Into Action: Use a chart to record and analyze details from the text. Identify the types of literary devices (irony, figurative language, slang, dialect).

[End of Section]

Story Details Literary Device

“And a lot of smart mouths got lots to say about that too . . . . But now, if anybody has anything to say to Raymond, . . . they have to come to me.”

“The big kids call me Mercury. . . .”

dialect

“Raymond’s Run” from Gorilla, My Love by Toni Cade Bambara. Copyright © 1971 by Toni Cade Bambara. Reproduced by permission of Random House, Inc., www.randomhouse.com.

Raymond’s Run Reading Skills Focus: Literary Devices

Raymond’s Run Writing Skills Focus: Think as a Reader/Writer

Find It in Your Reading

The story’s main character, Squeaky, is quite memorable.

As you read, make note of her funny observations: Write them down in a notebook.

So I’m strolling down Broadway breathing out and breathing in on counts of seven, which is my lucky number, and here comes Gretchen and her sidekicks: Mary Louise, who used to be a friend of mine. . . .“Raymond’s Run” from Gorilla, My Love by Toni Cade Bambara. Copyright © 1971 by Toni Cade Bambara. Reproduced by permission of Random House, Inc., www.randomhouse.com.

[End of Section]

TechFocus

As you read, think about how you might use video and digital technology to portray the story’s characters.

[End of Section]

Raymond’s Run Writing Skills Focus: Think as a Reader/Writer

Vocabulary

Raymond’s Run Vocabulary

prodigy n.: child with exceptional talent.

reputation n.: the way others see a person.

Raymond’s Run Vocabulary

Some children have an exceptional ability in a particular field or activity.

A highly talented child is sometimes called a prodigy.

Raymond’s Run Vocabulary

Which photo shows the most likely prodigy?

Raymond’s Run Vocabulary

Which photo shows the most likely prodigy?

Describe a prodigy that you’ve met or heard about. At what activity did he or she excel?

Raymond’s Run Vocabulary

How others see you determines your reputation.

When you have a good reputation, other people hold you in high regard.

Raymond’s Run Vocabulary

Most sports experts would agree that Tiger Woods, perhaps the #1 professional golfer in the world, has a reputation for

a. training and working hard.

b. being rude to golf officials.

c. quitting when he’s losing.

Raymond’s Run Vocabulary

Most sports experts would agree that Tiger Woods, perhaps the #1 professional golfer in the world, has a reputation for

a. training and working hard.

b. being rude to golf officials.

c. quitting when he’s losing.

How can a person’s reputation change? [End of Section]

The End