Question

Read the following prompt and type your response in the space provided. Think about the short story "Raymond's Run." Which point of view is used in this short story? Explain how you know this. Then describe how the author's use of this particular point of view gives the reader greater understanding of the story's plot, characters, and theme.

Answer 1

Answer and explanation:

"Raymond's Run" is a short story by author Toni Cade Bambara narrated from a first-person perspective. A first-person narrative is a story told from one of the characters' point of view, and it employs first-person pronouns such as "I" or "we".

This type of perspective is usually considered limited, since we can only know what that character knows. We follow the story through his/her eyes, and are only aware of what he/she is aware. Readers are given that character's opinion of things, which is always subjective. In this specific short story, the narrator is Hazel, also known as Squeaky. She's a very smart child who strives to be the best version of herself. She has a critical point of view, giving her straightforward opinion about people and issues. Through her, readers get to know that her brother Raymond is different, special; "not quite right" is the way Squeaky puts it. Yet, she does not mind looking after him, nor does she allow anyone to make fun of him. Through her, readers are told that girls are often too worried about their image, to the point where they don't even learn to be friends and to smile at each other with honesty. It is also Hazel's opinion that adults can be really stupid sometimes. All of that and more is conveyed to readers in a very subjective but direct manner. Hazel is an honest girl. A different point of view wouldn't manage to touch readers the way Hazel's does.

Answer 2

"Raymond's Run" is written in the first person point of view. You know this because the narrator, Squeaky, uses the word "I" and describes the action as she sees it. 

This helps give the reader a better sense of character, plot, and theme because she leads the reader through the story. She tells you exactly what she thinks of each character she comes across, and the story follows her through her day and through her actions which help keep track of the plot.