unit iii: quest for justice “raymond’s run” by toni cade bambara (1939-1995)

Unit III: Quest for Justice

“Raymond’s Run”By Toni Cade Bambara

(1939-1995)

“Raymond’s Run” by Toni Cade Bambara

Theme of story: In leading the way, a sister leads the way for her brother. Be true to yourself, and what you believe in, and demand respect for yourself, as well as overcoming obstacles.

Narrator: the speaker or character who tells the story

Narrator of story: Squeaky is the narrator and is younger than her brother Raymond

Plot: the sequence or pattern of events of a short story

Setting: the time and place of a short story

Setting of story: New York City, Harlem at the May Day races


Characterization: the process of creating memorable characters

Protagonist: the main character of a story (Squeaky)

Antagonist: a force in conflict with the main character of a story (Gretchen)

Flat character: Mary Louise, Rosie, Raymond, Gretchen, Cynthia

Round Characters: Squeaky = direct, confident, honesty, demands respect, strongly opinionated, aggressive, proud, sometimes immature (Direct [some] and Indirect = through conversations with Mary Louise and Rosie)

Static characters: characters who do NOT change throughout the story (Mary Louise, Rosie, Cynthia, Gretchen)

Dynamic characters: characters who change or grow during the course of the story (Squeaky, Raymond = usually change in significant ways as the story unfolds)


Major characters: one on whom the story focuses, and usually is the most important character in the story (Squeaky and Raymond = his name is in the title, a big influence in Squeaky’s life)

Minor characters: one who takes part in the action but is NOT the focus (Mary Louise, Rosie, Cynthia, Gretchen)

Indirect characterization: the writer depends on the reader to draw conclusions based on what the character says, does, and what others say

Direct characterization: the writer states the character’s traits

Conflict: a struggle between two opposing forces

Conflict of story: – 1. Squeaky vs. girls (external)– 2. Squeaky vs. Gretchen (external)


Climax: the peak or high point of interest of the story

Climax of story: p. 297, 2nd column, “Get on your mark, the dream goes and I’m solid again”

Resolution: the solving of the conflict

Resolution of story: p. 299, announcing the winners of the race

Point of view: the angle or perspective from which the story is told

Point of view of story: this story is told in First Person = where the narrator is a character in the story and participates, and refers to herself as “I”

Inferences: drawing conclusions based on information given

“Raymond’s Run” by Toni Cade Bambara Inferences in story and Predicting Outcomes:

– p. 293 “…private information” predicts that Squeaky may lose a race later in the story

– p. 293 “…subject to fits of fantasy…” predicts that although Squeaky cheerfully looks after Raymond, it also says she’s confident and strong and loyal and this say something will involve Raymond

– p. 294 “…it’s going to be one of those Dodge City scenes…” predicts Squeaky will have a verbal or physical fight with Gretchen and her pals

– p. 295 “…and Gretchen shifts from one leg….and her sidekicks follow her…” predicts Squeaky and Gretchen and her followers will have another confrontation

– p. 296 “…well Hazel….else a break this year?” predicts Squeaky will win because she is the fastest, or that Squeaky will lose a race because she respects Gretchen

– p. 297 “…ole Raymond’s on the line on the other side of the fence…holler.” Predicts that Squeaky can’t be with him now, but still worries, and that Raymond’s important to the story’s title, he is happening, and he may race along the other side of the fence.


Notes:– Squeaky’s relaxed and confidant as she goes into

her visualizing images that create her good luck and help her win the races

– Squeaky doesn’t know the outcome of the race because she’s thinking about Raymond

– Squeaky learns that generosity is more important than pride and that Raymond could be a runner, and she could coach and maybe Gretchen could co-coach!

Poetry

“Paul Revere’s Ride”

by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

(1807 – 1882)

“Paul Revere’s Ride”By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Theme of narrative poem: Some people are inspired to lead the way even if it means facing danger. Sometimes ordinary people perform extraordinary acts and show qualities of leadership, such as bravery, decisiveness, and thoughtfulness.

Speaker of poem: the writer, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Symbol: one thing stands for or represent something else

Symbol of poem: – 1. “…spark of horse’s shoes on cobblestones” (line 79) stands

for the spark of freedom and rebellion– 2. Revere’s acts symbolize the American spirit and courage


Sensory Language: – 1. “…signal light…” = sight– 2. “…muffled oar…” = sound– 3. “…a huge black hulk…” = sight– 4. “…silence around him…” = sound– 5. “…now he patted his….” = touch– 6. “…hear the crowing…” = sound– 7. “…felt the damp…” = touch

metaphor: comparing two unlike things NOT using “like” and “as”

metaphor of poem: the ship Somerset is compared to a ghosts


simile: comparing two unlike things using “like” or “as

simile of poem: the masts and spars are compared to prison bars

imagery of poem: ghostly, ominous effects of the British, to appear the “bad guys”

stanza: there are many divisions of lines of poetry, but none conclusively named, but a very definite rhythm

rhyme scheme of poem: aabbacdcdeefffgghhhiijjkaalmal

– very different pattern in each stanza, but some patterns evolve


repetition of poem: “It was twelve;;;” changes “one” “two” = keeps changing as the time passes, but essentially the repeated line

signal words: words used to make transitions to signal a change taking place

signal words of poem: – “then” line 15, 31– “meanwhile” line 24, 57– used in order to show the sequencing of the events in the poem

alliteration of poem: – line 25 “w”– line 36 “m”– line 46 “w” – line 56 “b”

free verse: no patterns set, rhyme stresses or beats, now refrain

narrative poem: a story told in verse, that has all of the elements of a short story

“Paul Revere’s Ride”By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Elements of a short story: Characterization: the art of creating or developing a character Paul Revere = brave, thoughtful, decisive, tireless and determined

(Indirect)

Heroic characters: The actions of characters are heroic, and inspiring, and noble. They bravely overcome the obstacles and problems that stand in the way.

Heroic character of poem: Paul Revere

– The opening line of the poem is like the oral story telling tradition– The plan includes a warning that the British are coming 1=land 2=sea

**the friend of Revere’s is Robert Newman, the sexton of the North Church

– Waiting for the signal, Revere is eager, nervous, and tense as he paces and stomps

– Revere signals the colonists (lines 119-124) show that Americans will rise to the occasion

Poetry

“O Captain! My Captain!”

by Walt Whitman

(1819 - 1892)


Foreshadowing: clues that build expectations to create suspense

Foreshadowing of poem: (lines 99-100) note the coming of the revolution, precisely the first firings of guns at Lexington and at Concord

Conflict of poem: Paul Revere vs. British

Climax: peak or high point of interest of poem

Climax of poem: (line 72) Paul Revere sees two lamps in the North Church belfry

Resolution: the solving of the conflict

Resolution of poem: (Lines 115-118) the colonists rise up against the British

“O Captain! My Captain!”By Walt Whitman

Theme of poem: Taking a stand, or doing what is right, can be challenging, especially if one does NOT have the support of the people.

Speaker of poem: the poet, Walt Whitman, is the speaker

Metaphor: comparing two unlike things NOT using “like” or “as”

Metaphor of poem:– 1. President Lincoln is a captain at the helm , and the country

makes it through a terrible storm or fearful trip

– 2. The US is the ship, just brought safely to shore– 3. The storm or fearful trip is the Civil War– 4. The ‘prize” and the “port” refer to peace

unit iii: quest for justice “raymond’s run” by toni cade bambara (1939-1995)

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