In the short story 'Raymond's Run' by Toni Cade Bambara, the narrator, Squeaky, undergoes a transformation as a result of the conflicts in the plot. She learns to be more humble and respectful towards others, particularly her rival Gretchen. The conflicts, such as the rivalry between Squeaky and Gretchen and Squeaky's own self-discovery as a talented runner, contribute to her character development.
The question prompt asks: How does the narrator change as a result of the conflicts in the plot of the short story Raymond's Run by Toni Cade Bambara? The narrator, named Hazel but referred to as Squeaky, undergoes a significant transformation as she comes to understand and appreciate her differences from other students. At the beginning of the story, she is described as cocky and disrespectful, always wanting to be first in every race. However, through the conflicts she faces, such as competing against her rival Gretchen and realizing her own talent as a runner, Squeaky learns to be more humble and respectful towards others.
One piece of evidence that supports Squeaky's transformation is her changing attitude towards Gretchen. Initially, Squeaky sees Gretchen as a threat and is dismissive of her. However, at the end of the story, Squeaky becomes respectful towards Gretchen after seeing her brother Raymond run toward her after winning a race. This event makes Squeaky realize that Gretchen is also important and deserving of respect.
The conflicts in the plot, such as the rivalry between Squeaky and Gretchen, and Squeaky's own self-discovery as a talented runner, contribute to her character development and ultimately drive her transformation from a cocky and disrespectful person to a more humble and respectful individual.