Raymond's Run Discussion

​What is theme?

Theme refers to the central, deeper meaning of a written work.

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Subject | Subject

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Multiple Choice

What is the main theme of the short story?

• It is necessary to be physically and mentally strong to succeed in sports.

• Sharing an important part of your life with someone else can make you closer.

• Sometimes helping others can offer a greater sense of accomplishment than winning.

• Girls are encouraged to compete with each other instead of being friends.

Open Ended

Which detail from the text best supports the theme? Explain your thinking. (Be specific. Include the page number.)

Open Ended

Why is the following conversation between Squeaky and Gretchen important to the story?

“I always win cause I’m the best,” I say straight at Gretchen who is, as far as I’m concerned, the only one talking in

this ventrilo-quist-dummy routine. Gretchen smiles, but it’s not a smile, and I’m thinking that girls never really

smile at each other because they don’t know how and don’t want to know how and there’s probably no one to teach

us how, cause grown-up girls don’t know either. Then they all look at Raymond who has just brought his mule team

to a standstill. And they’re about to see what trouble they can get into through him.

Open Ended

Where do you see examples of how Squeaky is portrayed as having characteristics of a strong female character? Explain in your own words and include text evidence.