View Master Class: Neil Gaiman
Read Raymond's Run (pdf online)
1. Discuss how Hazel's upbeat, idiomatic narration—or narration rich in dialect—contributes to the theme of achieving selfhood in "Raymond's Run."
2. When Gretchen and Hazel first meet, they smile a false smile, because, in Hazel's view "girls never really smile at each other." What do you suppose she means by this statement? How would you characterize the smile the rivals share following the May Day race?
3. Discuss the metaphor of the race and what significance it holds for Hazel—and for Raymond. Why is the story titled "Raymond's Run" rather than "Hazel's Run"?
4. Does this story have special impact because of its urban setting in the late 1960s or early 1970s? How would the story be different if it were set in the 2000s?
5. Examine Hazel's relationship with her brother, Raymond. What is it about his running that causes Hazel to view him with new understanding?
6. Discuss Bambara's view of community and the role it plays the story.
What do you think happens to Lucy?
What textual support do you have for your answer? Quote from the text
Work on Short Story #1--at least 5 pages
1. Hazel's unique upbeat narration portrays her as developing her identity proudly. Hazel is vigorous--she won't let Gretchen or strangers in the street or her teachers stop her--in her pursuit of actualizing her self and achieving the goals she sets for herself.
ReplyDelete2. By the statement "girls never really smile at each other," Hazel means that girls never truly support and root for each other, but are instead deceitful and driven by ego. The smile the rivals share following the May Day race is a jovial smile of acknowledgment and appreciation--they recognize each other’s talent and do not hold bitterness or feelings of superiority because of the results.
3. The race symbolizes a transformation in Hazel’s priorities. While the whole story prior describes her concern for the race and remaining number one, with Raymond put in the background, by the time she finishes the race, Hazel then becomes concerned with caring for her brother and focusing on training him, rather than herself. It is titled “Raymond’s Run,” rather than “Hazel’s Run” because the run is more important for Raymond; even though he does not compete, it is the vehicle through which Hazel realizes Raymond’s potential and decides to lead him down the path to success.
4. The story has special impact because of its urban setting in the late 1960s because it took place during the civil rights movement, which sought to empower blacks and encourage them to help- each other, just as Hazel seeks to demonstrate her power and win the race and help her disabled brother. If the story were set in the 2000s, blacks struggle against poverty in urban New York, as opposed to for civil rights there, would be the underlying commentary.
5. Raymond’s unique way of running--with his arms down to his side and with the wind pulling his mouth back--combined with his ability to keep up with Hazel and the realization that Raymond has nothing in his life to be proud of causes Hazel to view Raymond as a potential track star, one who she could train personally.
6. Barbara views community as something that one must always face, for better or worse. Hazel has to face her rivalry with Gretchen and her teacher trying to get her to throw the race, but Hazel also realizes the potential benefits of working with others in the community--training Raymond.
I think Lucy killed herself and her body somehow got buried or washed away. It is clear Lucy is discontent with her life away from camp--" ‘It would be nice not to go back…’ ‘To Chicago…’ ‘I hate it there.’ ” Moreover, Lucy clearly shows interest in jumping off the cliff--" ’It would be quite a dive off here.’ ” Perhaps the surprised yelp was because Lucy was reckless and fell accidentally or she fell on purpose, but was still shocked by the sensation nonetheless.
1. I think Hazel's narration contributes to the theme because she seems motivated and confident, especially when she is talking to Rosie and Mary Louise that she is going to win the race
ReplyDelete2. When Hazel says the statement 'girls never really smile at each other' I think she's trying to say that the girls in their town are very competitive with each other and see each other as the enemy and competition.
3. the metaphor for the race could represent Hazel's concerns, because throughout the story she is concerned about winning the race, however it is titled 'Raymond's Run' because Hazel realizes how good of a runner Raymond is at the end and decides to have him follow in her shoes.
4. if this story were set in the 2000's i feel like it wouldn't be any different
5. hazel sees her brother as disabled and doesn't really see him with any other hobby or special skill, however at the end she realizes he would make a great runner because his form is perfect for it, and she decides to teach him.
6. i think Barbara views community as somewhat unsupportive because she sees all of the other girls as competitors instead of friends and her teachers telling her to let somebody else win.
I think Lucy drowned herself on purpose because she talks about how she dislikes her life away from her camp and nature and the woods. She talks about diving off of the cliff, but her mother tells her not to. However when her back is turned, Lucy either jumps off or falls on accident.
Read Raymond's Run (pdf online)
ReplyDelete1. Discuss how Hazel's upbeat, idiomatic narration—or narration rich in dialect—contributes to the theme of achieving selfhood in "Raymond's Run."
Hazel is continuously trying to find herself and figure out who she truly is. Throughout the story it is very clear that she feels the need to prove herself to everyone around her by always placing first.
2. When Gretchen and Hazel first meet, they smile a false smile, because, in Hazel's view "girls never really smile at each other." What do you suppose she means by this statement? How would you characterize the smile the rivals share following the May Day race?
This statement hints at the stereotypical competition and lack of friendliness between girls. At the end of the May Day race the smile is no longer competitive but a show of acknowledgement.
3. Discuss the metaphor of the race and what significance it holds for Hazel—and for Raymond. Why is the story titled "Raymond's Run" rather than "Hazel's Run"?
The race is more important for Raymond because Hazel realizes that Raymond would be a good runner and decides to focus her plans on him.
4. Does this story have a special impact because of its urban setting in the late 1960s or early 1970s? How would the story be different if it were set in the 2000s?
The civil rights movement was during the 1960s but because it isn’t really hinted at which is why I feel like a 2000s setting wouldn’t make much of a difference.
5. Examine Hazel's relationship with her brother, Raymond. What is it about his running that causes Hazel to view him with new understanding?
Raymond runs in a style that Hazel has never seen before and she admires him and wants to make running something that he can have for himself.
6. Discuss Bambara's view of community and the role it plays in the story.
Through Hazel it is clear that Bambara views community as in a competitive sense because there is a lack of harmony between Hazel and the other girls but in the end Bambara hints at a potential friendship between Hazel and Gretchen.
Read Margaret Atwood's "Death by Landscape"
What do you think happens to Lucy?
I think Lucy falls off of the cliff and dies at the end of the story.
What textual support do you have for your answer?
“Who knows how many trees were on the cliff just before Lucy disappeared”
1) Through Hazel's upbeat narration, she is developing her sense of identity. This contributes to theme of the story as she is fervorous in her goals and intent.
ReplyDelete2) Hazel is trying to say that girls are never supportive or uplifting for each other. The only reason girls interact with each other is something for their personal gain or for spite. Her belief of how girls function is why she gives a false smile to Gretchen. However, their smile following the May Day race is one of recognition of each other's talents.
3) The race is symbolic of Hazel's shift in priority and what she cares about (her winning vs. her brother). However, instead of being called "Hazel's Run," it is titled "Raymond's Run" because she prioritizes her brother instead as she sees his potential.
4) The era of the 1960's and beginning 1970's was the civil rights movement, which is fitting for the context of the story. However, if the story was set in the 2000's instead, the background message would change as new contemporary issues surface.
5) Hazel cares about her brother as a disabled man and wants to personally teach him. He is her track star.
6) Barbara views community in a sort of pessimistic way because she sees it that everyone is a competitor.
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Lucy kills herself because of her disinterest with life, especially when she is away from camp. When she sees the cliff, she comments that "it would be quite a dive off here," demonstrating curiosity about the height of fall.
1. Hazel narration helps with the theme. We see that Gretchen doesn't allow outside factors to affect her goals.
ReplyDelete2.I think Hazel is saying that the girls in the town don't really get along. They are all competitive with one another.
3.The race represents Hazel's concerns and priorities throughout the story.
4.I feel like the story my change in a few areas however the concept and the theme wouldn't change.
5. Hazel's brother is disabled,but he is a good runner.
6. She views them as unsupportive. Everyone is competition.
1.Hazel’s narration contributes to achieving her selfhood because through her dialect and internal thoughts, one sees the progression of her character. She goes from being angry and slightly insecure, to proud and satisfied, and a lot more dignified and happy.
ReplyDelete2. I suppose Hazel is describing the sense that all girls compete with each other and that they face too many pressures in reality to smile at each other; and I would characterize the smile that the rivals share following the May Day race as a counterclaim to the one Hazel previously inquired. As the smile at the May Day race was far more genuine, kind, and lacked competitive nature.
3. The run was a metaphor for the run and/or duration of life. In the end, it’s not always about winning, but rather your contributions to this world, being satisfied with who you are as a person, and leaving behind your legacy. Also, I believe the story is titled “Raymond’s Run” as compared to “Hazel’s Run,” because Raymond is similar to an infant, a clean slate, the starting foundation that we all descend from, and it is up to us as pre-existing members of society to mold the “Raymonds” into people that they themselves can be proud of and satisfied with.
4. The story does have a great impact due to its historical urban setting. Because back then morals and goals, as well as, value were accounted for differently. It meant a lot back then to be ladylike, and to be the best you possibly can be, especially as a young black girl. Therefore, making the economy and life in general a lot more competitive between young girls. However, the story would be different if set in the 2000s, because we as black women are more uplifting now, and there is no routine standard for women to be more ladylike, but rather just being themselves.
5. Because previously everyone deemed Raymond incapable and not having the capacity for much intelligence that seeing him do something like running, something the narrator cherished and deemed not such an easy task, showed the true complexity of Raymond’s character. He wasn’t incapable, and actually possessed talent within his development, and Hazel protected and cherished that.
6. From Bambara’s perspective community is essential to producing a positive outcome in children that will eventually grow into adults. It plays the role of a mold for children because it is the influence of the community that affects how children develop and who they will eventually become.
Death by Landscape
ReplyDeleteKyla Carter
Lucy starts as a sort of reckless, adventurous, and impulsive character. As the story continues Lois describes Lucy as being “Pensive, and hard to wake in the mornings,” then in the next paragraph talks about Lucy wishes to run away from home like not liking her father stepfather, her mother’s love affair, threatened to be enrolled in boarding school, and not being allowed to see her boyfriend (Atwood, 6). The two venture out with a few other campers on canoes to a different island, where Lucy proceeds to tell Lois, “It would be nice not to go back… to Chicago… I hate it there” (Atwood, 9). For these reasons I think Lucy took the opportunity to “pee” to really jump off the cliff and kill herself. She could have drowned, but her body would have been floating when they went to check, so maybe she put rocks in her pockets or was taken by a current.
Raymond's Run
ReplyDeleteKyla Carter
1. I’m not actually sure about this one. Although, it does really help us understand the character Hazel and how the setting and time period plays a character in the story.
2. The two girls are obviously in competition, and Gretchen’s friend had just thrown shade at Hazel, Gretchen's only intent in smiling was devious. In the end that they smile at each other out of respect and honesty, and could possibly work together.
3. It’s the first time Hazel has seen Raymond run, and she realizes that he could be just as good as her. She becomes less consumed with the idea of herself winning races (because can do more things, she’s more capable than Raymond), and more proud of her brother.
4. I think the special impact comes from the town and sense of community. If it were written now, people would be obsessing over their phones, Hazel probably wouldn’t have been walking on the sidewalk and had the first interaction with Gretchen. People would also be more accepting of Raymond and he’d probably have a different kind of care or treatment.
5. She sees that he can be good at something and he views the world differently than most. He isn’t just hopeless or someone that needs help with anything. Hazel realizes she can coach and make him just as good as herself, and she can pick a new hobby so Raymond can have something of his own.
6. Like I was saying in one of the previous answers, Bambara uses the community to show the different dynamics of the people, and Hazel was able to overcome an internal challenge/mindset. The whole MayDay Fair thing is personal to the town, and that sets the entire premise for the story.
Joshua Phonharath
ReplyDelete1) Hazel's narration contributes to the story's theme of selfhood is unique and proud. The views that others have on her, she does not think about, because she realizes who she is.
2) When it says, "girls never really smile at each other," she means that girls are inherently deceitful and never truly support each other.
3) The race in the story represents Hazel's concerns and priorities.
4) Yes, the time period has a significant effect on the story. If the story took place in the 2000s, there would be different technologies and the mindset of people would be different.
5) Hazel's relationship with her brother is close and she cares very much about him because of his disability.
6) To Barbara, the community is unique and has a good model for young children to look up.