The purpose of "exposition" is
to...
...provide some background and inform the readers
about the plot, character, setting, and theme of the
essay/story...
In Toni Cade
Bambara's story, "Raymond's Run," the exposition takes place at the very beginning. It
is here that we are introduced to Raymond and his "difficulties." We learn that he is
"slow," and that a lot of people have unkind things to say about him, but not with
Squeaky around. It's her job to keep an eye on him.
We are
also introduced to the narrator, Hazel Elizabeth Deborah Parker (known in the story as
"Squeaky"). She has an "upfront attitude," she won't "play the dozens" ("exchange
rhyming insults"), will fight first and ask questions later, and she can
run. Without even knowing exactly what the plot is, we can
assume that "running" is an important element in Bambara's tale
because she has called it "Raymond's Run."
As readers we
can surmise that the plot involves running and the relationship
Squeaky has with her brother Raymond. For although she is the athlete in the family, the
title conveys that Squeaky is telling Raymond's story, which
reinforces the kind of relationship the two kids have. We learn all of this from the
beginning of the story, in the exposition.
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