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Raymond’s Run; Gender Norms and Expectations

Raymond’s run tells the story of a courageous girl named squeaky. Based on the story, it is apparent that Squeaky’s main goal is to win a 50-yard dash race during the local May Day races, and her main competitor is a girl named Gretchen. The story explores Squeaky’s view of femininity and women. From the onset, it is apparent that Squeaky finds discomfort in conforming to her society’s expectation of who and what women should pursue. Her experiences leading up to the race reveal that Squeaky is unapologetic about her competitive nature, a factor that makes her stand out from other girls in her society. Squeaky’s refusal to conform to societal pressures is also apparent in her resolve to pursue training and her willingness to defend her disabled brother openly from anyone who might mock him. Squeaky’s epiphany in her journey is realizing that being herself also means extending kindness to the people around her. By giving a genuine smile to Gretchen at the end of the story, Squeaky demonstrates her willingness to open up to other people that share her values. Gender norms and expectations are examples of stereotypes that force people to abandon their identities and personalities, thereby creating a standard of pretense and lies. Through the character of Squeaky, it is apparent that one can choose to stand up for themselves and live boldly and truly.

Squeaky challenges gender norms by refusing to play the traditional feminine roles forced on women. This refusal to act like a girl is first witnessed in her early years. When Squeaky was a nursery school student, she was forced to wear a strawberry costume for a pageant, and while this look pleased her parents, she found the entire experience nonsensical. For instance, she addresses herself as a “perfect fool” due to her participation in the event (Bambara). Also, she insists that she is not a strawberry, and she does not dance on her toes and instead runs. This strong sense of disconnect from the pageant and the expectation that she should enjoy wearing her strawberry costume is most apparent when she says, “I run. That is what I am all about” (Bambara). Based on these actions and the terms she uses to describe her experience; it is apparent that Squeaky’s sense of identity and the understanding of what she wants started at a tender age. Squeaky also refuses to wear a dress during the May Day celebration. Based on the story, it is apparent that women and girls are expected to wear dresses during this celebration, a fact that is cemented by her mother’s insistence that Squeaky should follow this norm. Instead of succumbing to her mother’s unrealistic expectations, Squeaky instead explains to her mother that wearing a dress to the May Day dance equates to “trying to act like a fairy or a flower or whatever you are supposed to be when you should be trying to be yourself” (Bambara). Squeaky further tells her mother that following the expected norms is like training the girls to reject their identities. While Squeaky rejects the idea of conforming to stereotypical gender roles, it is apparent that she does not wholly reject the idea of being a female. For instance, she proudly takes up the caretaker role as she gladly takes care of her brother. Traditionally, women are given roles and are expected to take care of their families. Also, Squeaky does not contradict the label “girl.” Based on these observations, it is obvious that Squeaky prefers to understand the expectations her society places on her and chooses to follow those which align with her sense of identity.

Another way Squeaky challenges gender norms and expectations is by refusing to relate to other girls with animosity. Often society portrays women’s relationships as being hostile and with aspects of pretense. Based on this viewpoint, most women share friendships that have elements of animosity and jealousy. For instance, Squeaky realizes that the smiles the girls around her share with others are fake. She blames this element of pretense on the fact that girls do not know how to smile at each other because they have never been taught how to. This realization reveals that the hostility between women is a harmful societal norm that has been promoted throughout history. The underlying cause of the hostility witnessed is the pervasive sense of competition women are forced to endure. The main purpose of the different school activities that Squeaky mentions throughout the story is to crown one individual as being better than the others. Therefore, these activities force Squeaky and her peers to continuously compete for the chance to be crowned the winner. For instance, Cynthia Procter’s sense of competitiveness pushed her to pretend that she is naturally good in her tests and playing the piano. Moreover, she continuously gives her friends the impression that she does not need to practice or study to be the best at what she does (Williamson). Instead of forming equally dysfunctional relationships, Squeaky instead chooses to focus on her training. Thou this choice makes her a loner, Squeaky’s resolve to shun fake friendships is her way of challenging her community’s expectations. Squeaky’s choice to only pursue true friendships is also apparent in the story when she shares a real smile with her supposed enemy, Gretchen. By sharing a real smile, it is apparent that Squeaky recognizes and appreciates Gretchen’s skills and hard work, therefore creating a possibility that they can form a lasting friendship in the future (Williamson). Lastly, Squeaky challenges societal gender norms and expectations through her exploration of self-identity. From early on, Squeaky is clear about her goals, a factor that makes her competitive and sure of herself. This strong sense of self gives her the confidence to pursue what she wants unapologetically. Squeaky’s sense of self is apparent when she avoids the May Day dance, and instead, she diligently pursues her training. Overall, Squeaky’s character shows that one can live boldly and true by resisting societal pressures and focusing on what one wants.

Gender norms and expectations are examples of stereotypes that force people to abandon their identities and personalities, thereby creating a standard of pretense and lies. Based on the examples highlighted above, it is apparent that gender norms and expectations are harmful to an individual. They force one to live in a particular manner, thereby limiting their capacity to explore their individuality and make choices best suited for themselves. For instance, Cynthia Procter is forced to live a life of perfection, an expectation that is hard to maintain. Also, women are forced to create and maintain friendships that are marred by pretense and jealousy. This expectation creates an environment in which women are constantly forced to compete against each other. For instance, Squeaky views Gretchen as an enemy despite the possibility that the two could become great friends as they share similar values and traits. Overall, through Squeaky’s stance to stand apart and forge her own identity and interest, readers are encouraged to stand up for themselves and live boldly and truly.

Works Cited

Bambara, Toni Cade. Raymond’s run. Creative Education, 1990.

Williamson, Judith Barton. Raymond’s run Masterplots II: Short Story Series

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