Raymonds Run Themes

Pop songs have a way of conveying a lot of themes and messages throughout the song, such as having strength through loss and pain. “Superheroes”, a well known pop song, by The Script, shows the themes of perseverance and empowerment, and how to get through the hard times in life. In a way, this relates to the protagonist of “Raymond’s Run” written by Toni Cade Bambara, Squeaky, who deals with a lot of hardships in life, for though “all the kicks and all the blows/ he won't ever let it show” At an early age, she is dealt with the burden of taking care of her mentally disabled older brother, and is also going through troubled times as she feels the sting of the disappointment from her mother for not “acting more like a girl for a change”. (Pg
She begins to think that winning is everything, which it is for her, for it is the only thing that she thinks validates herself as someone who isn’t a letdown.
Running keeps Squeaky motivated to move forward throughout the tough times in her life. It gives her a way to cope with the burdens she receives at an early age. Whether it is her mother’s disappointment or her duty to take care of her brother, and because of this,”a heart of steel starts to grow”. To her, running is her “safe zone”.
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. I dream I’m flying over a sandy beach in the early morning sun, kissing the leaves of the trees as I fly by. [...] 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