Comparing Kamau's Finish And Bunion Derby

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Running is proven as a sport that is extremely difficult, both mentally and physically. By looking at two different short stories, “Kamau’s Finish” and “Bunion Derby” both about the hardships and mental challenge of running, we learn that in life humility and perseverance play a large role in a satisfying victory. While these two stories share a common these, the way each main character portrays the theme through their challenges is really what sets the two apart. In “Kamau’s Finish” the reader meets Kamau, a young boy who wants dearly to impress his father, Baba, by winning a race at school. When Kamau begins the race he was winning, ahead of all him competitors thinking of how proud Baba would be. Suddenly he falls and the others pass …show more content…

While Andy’s victory is traditional, winning first place and the grand prize of $25,000, Kamau’s is not. The main difference between these two stories is not just the length of the race, but the victory each runner took home. Kamau’s one goal was to win the race and impress Baba showing he is not just a dreamer with poor grades. One quote from the story says “I’d prove to him I’m not just a hopeless dreamer.” Through this quote the reader can see that Kamau is running the race for Baba’s approval. When he loses he immediately thinks of how Baba will be unhappy. When he sees Baba beaming with joy, he truly seeing that Baba is proud of his perseverance and ability to get up even after falling. Though Kamau took last place in the race, he learned humility and perseverance from his yearning to impress Baba at all costs. Andy’s story is different, Andy was an aspiring running who decided to take chance and run the race of his life. While the reader learned humility and perseverance through Kamau, they were taught the same lesson by Andy. Watching Andy never give up and continue running is inspiring. It clearly shows how any victory can be achieved. After looking at the two stories, the way the reader internalizes the theme of humility and perseverance bringing a victory is really what sets the two short stories

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