CLOSE READING PRACTICE: DIALECT
Re-read on pages 162 the paragraph
beginning “Now some people like”
and ending “are so stupid
sometimes.”
DIALECT AND CHARACTER
Answer the following questions to explore how
dialect contributes to your understanding of
Squeaky’s character:
--Squeaky says that she’ll “high-prance down 34th
Street like a rodeo pony to keep [her] knees
strong,” even if her actions embarrass her
mother. Describe Squeaky’s language here.
What image do her words create? What do they
tell you about her character?
DIALECT AND CHARACTER
--After describing Cynthia Procter’s
actions after the spelling bee,
Squeaky adds, “Oh brother.” What
does this phrase mean? What does
the phrase suggest about
Squeaky’s values?
DIALECT AND CHARACTER
-- Read aloud Squeaky’s description of
Cynthia practicing scales “over and over
and over and over.” How do you think
this line should be read? What does the
repetition suggest about Squeaky’s
complaint about Cynthia?
DIALECT AND CHARACTER
Write an essay in response to the prompt below.
“Raymond Run” is written in dialect, with the exception
of the paragraph in which Squeaky narrates the May
Day race. Write an essay comparing and contrasting
this paragraph with the rest of the story. How does
the stylistic change contribute to the reader’s
understanding of Squeaky’s character? Support your
ideas with the details from the story.