Describe a main character in Raymond's Run?

In Toni Cade Bambara’s short story, “Raymond’s Run”, the main character, the protagonist, is Hazel Elizabeth Deborah Parker who is known as Squeaky. In spite of her small, skinny physique, she is a feisty school-aged girl who would rather fight than take any antagonism from others. Her nickname reflects the tone of her voice.

Squeaky is a self-conflicted young lady. Her family responsibility is to care for her older, disabled brother. Her passion and self...

In Toni Cade Bambara’s short story, “Raymond’s Run”, the main character, the protagonist, is Hazel Elizabeth Deborah Parker who is known as Squeaky. In spite of her small, skinny physique, she is a feisty school-aged girl who would rather fight than take any antagonism from others. Her nickname reflects the tone of her voice.

Squeaky is a self-conflicted young lady. Her family responsibility is to care for her older, disabled brother. Her passion and self absorption in life is to be the fastest runner in her Brooklyn neighborhood. She practices her running and breathing exercises as she and her brother make their way through the streets of Brooklyn. At school, she does not have many true girlfriends. She sees them more as competition than as friends.

At the story’s climax, Squeaky’s persona changes. After the events at the May Day Race, Hazel sees her brother as person with potential and sees herself as having the ability to think of others before herself. She even sees the possibility of becoming friends with one of the new girls in the neighborhood who gives her stiff competition in the race.