the sound of summer running essay

Short Story Magic Tricks

breaking down why great fiction is great

‘The Sound Of Summer Running’ by Ray Bradbury

The Sound Of Summer Running by Ray Bradbury, 1957

The magic trick:

Writing a protagonist who embodies the passion and optimism of a childhood summertime

Really, this is a couple chapters from the novel, Dandelion Wine , but reconstructed as a standalone story, it works just fine. Douglas Spalding, the protagonist, is like so many other Bradbury characters – he’s frustrated waiting for the rest of the world to catch up to his point of view. In this case the frustration stems from pure joy. He is so excited about the summer and, specifically, new gym shoes, he reverses roles with the shoe store owner – selling him on how great the shoes are. It’s all a bunch of classic Bradbury nostalgia for an idealized youth in small-town America. But, cheesy as that may be, it’s a nice trip. And that’s quite a trick on Bradbury’s part.

The selection:

“Please!” Douglas held out his hand. “Mr. Sanderson, now could you kind of

rock back and forth a little, sponge around, bounce kind of, while I tell you the rest? It’s this: I give you my money, you give me the shoes, I owe you a dollar. But, Mr. Sanderson, but —soon as I get those shoes on, you know what happens? ”

“Bang! I deliver your packages, pick up packages, bring you coffee, burn your trash, run to the post office, telegraph office, library! You’ll see twelve of me in and out, in and out, every minute. Feel those shoes, Mr. Sanderson, feel how fast they’d take me? All those springs inside? Feel all the running inside? Feel how they kind of grab hold and can’t let you alone and don’t like you just standing there? Feel how quick I’d be doing the things you’d rather not bother with? You stay in the nice cool store while I’m jumping all around town! But it’s not me really, it’s the shoes. They’re going like mad down alleys, cutting corners, and back! There they go!”

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Summaries, Analysis & Lists

“The Sound of Summer Running” by Ray Bradbury Summary

“The Sound of Summer Running” is a short story by Ray Bradbury and one of the episodes from Dandelion Wine . It’s a nostalgic piece about a boy who wants a new pair of running shoes for the summer. I think many men can remember how important it was to get a new pair of sneakers, and this story captures the feeling quite well. Here’s a summary of “The Sound of Summer Running”.

“The Sound of Summer Running” Summary

Late one June night, on the way home from a movie with his family, Douglas sees a pair of tennis shoes—Royal Crown Cream-Sponge Para Litefoot Tennis Shoes—in a shop window. His dad doesn’t see why he needs new tennis shoes when he still has his pair from last year. For Douglas, it’s about how it feels to put on new shoes, like the first time stepping into the creek in summer and other notable firsts. They represent summer, but he can’t put this into words and explain it.

The magic is in putting on new shoes in the summer; lasts years don’t have it anymore. They’re dead inside and you can feel it towards the end of summer. Douglas’s dad tells him to save his money, but he knows summer will be almost over by then.

Lying in bed that night, Douglas tries to think of reasons to convince his dad to get him the shoes. There isn’t much in his piggy bank. He imagines running the hills in the new shoes.

The next morning, the owner of the shoe store, old Mr. Sanderson, adjusts his display of shoes with care. Douglas enters wearing his leather shoes and walks slowly to the counter. He carefully stacks his coins on the counter.

Before Douglas can say anything, Mr. Sanderson speaks up. He knows why Douglas is here. He has seen him every afternoon looking into the display window at the Royal Crown Cream-Sponge Para Litefoot Tennis Shoes. He wants them, and he wants them on credit.

Douglas objects to this because he has something better to offer. First, though, he asks a favor of Mr. Sanderson. He wants to know when he last wore a pair of Litefoot sneakers. It’s been thirty years. Douglas argues that Mr. Sanderson needs to try the shoes on so he knows how they feel. Then he can rave about them to his customers.

Mr. Sanderson reluctantly agrees. He tries the shoes on and stands up. They feel fine and he’s about to sit back down. Douglas persuades him to rock and bounce a little. Douglas makes his offer. He’ll pay what he has now for the shoes, which is one dollar short. Immediately, he’ll start working for Mr. Sanderson in the new shoes—making deliveries and pickups, and running errands of all kinds. Can’t Mr. Sanderson feel how springy the shoes are, how they’ll propel Douglas all over the place doing jobs for him?

Mr. Sanderson is amazed at the boy’s enthusiastic pitch. He loses himself for a moment, rocking and flexing in the shoes. He comes out of it and they look at each other in silence; Mr. Sanderson has realized something. He offers Douglas a job selling shoes in five years.

Mr. Sanderson gets a pair of the sneakers and hands them to Douglas, who puts them on. He writes a list and hands it to Douglas. There are a dozen errands on it; when Douglas completes them they’re even.

As Douglas bounds out of the store on his new shoes, Mr. Sanderson asks how they feel. Douglas is overwhelmed with the associations of summer and can’t say anything. He nods at Mr. Sanderson’s suggestions of antelopes or gazelles and runs off.

Mr. Sanderson stands in the sunny doorway and remembers the sounds of leaping through the bush as a boy like an antelope or gazelle. He turns from the door and walks softly back to civilization.

I hope this summary of “The Sound of Summer Running” by Ray Bradbury was helpful.

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Bradbury Classic Stories 1: From the Golden Apples of the Sun and R Is for... - 'The Time Machine,' and 'The Sound of Summer Running' Summary & Analysis

'The Time Machine,' and 'The Sound of Summer Running' Summary

In 'The Time Machine,' a boy called Charlie tells his friends that an old man who lives nearby, Colonel Freeleigh, has a time machine. It will go back in time, but not to the future. He takes his friends there, and begins to ask the old man questions. The Colonel tells them all about things from his past, such as the civil war and Pawnee Bill, the wild-west showman. The boys are enthralled, and afterwards they agree that the Colonel really is a time machine. The Colonel is pleased with this nickname and tells them to come back for more stories any time.

In 'The Sound of Summer Running' a boy called Douglas desperately wants new tennis shoes so that he can enjoy the...

(read more from the 'The Time Machine,' and 'The Sound of Summer Running' Summary)

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The Sound of Summer Running - Text Based Evidence, Text Analysis Essay Writing

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Teaching how to write a literary analysis essay citing text evidence for "The Sound of Summer Running" by Ray Bradbury has never been easier! This in-depth text dependent analysis (TDA) writing prompt resource guides students through a step-by-step process of writing an expository essay with textual evidence as support. It includes an expository writing graphic organizer , rubric, expository writing quiz , and an expository writing template .

All aspects of text evidence writing are covered in this resource: brainstorming ideas , developing a thesis statement , introducing supporting evidence , writing hooks and leads , and incorporating the 6 Traits of Writing ™.

The video, slide show, graphic organizer, worksheets, writing template, and rubric allow students to practice and develop their expository writing skills. The writing quiz reinforces guided note-taking techniques when used in conjunction with the instructional video. The detailed lesson plans make implementing informative writing easy for teachers.

The lesson can be used in class, assigned for distance learning, or given as independent student work. The instructional video with writing tutorial and template can also be presented as whole class instruction or assigned for students to complete at home.

Each resource listed below is included in Google Drive™ and print format.

*****************************************************************************************

This Citing Text Evidence Expository / Informative writing prompt lesson includes:

Entertaining Instructional Video with:

• Brainstorming ideas
• Prompt identification and comprehension
• Thesis statement development
• Rubric explanation
• How to Write an Expository Essay tutorial and writing template
• How to Write an Expository Essay writing quiz / guided note-taking

"The Sound of Summer Running" by Ray Bradbury Detailed Lesson Plan with:

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"The Sound of Summer Running" by Ray Bradbury Worksheets with:

• Brainstorming section

"The Sound of Summer Running" by Ray Bradbury PowerPoint Presentation with:

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• Brainstorming slide (interactive for students to list ideas)
• Standard and implied thesis development slides
• How to Write an Expository Essay tutorial and writing template slides
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During which month of the year does “The Sound of Summer Running” take place?

A. June B. August C. September D. December

In “The Sound of Summer Running,” what catches Douglas’s eye while he is walking home from a movie with his family?

A. an ad showing a pair of sneakers B. a new pair of sneakers on a boy who passes by C. a pair of sneakers in a store window D. a help-wanted sign on a shoe store window

C. a pair of sneakers in a store window

Which phrase best describes Mr. Sanderson, the owner of the shoe store, at the end of “The Sound of Summer Running”?

A. regretting his deal with Douglas B. unhappy about his business C. having dreamy memories D. happy with Douglas’s offer to work

C. having dreamy memories

Which of the following tells what the new sneakers are a symbol for in “The Sound of Summer Running”?

A. Douglas’s anger at his father B. last year’s shoes C. the comforts of home D. summer freedom

D. summer freedom

Why do the authors of “The Sound of Summer Running” and “Eleven” use symbols?

A. to persuade readers to buy new clothing B. to help express the characters’ feelings C. to convey a message about old age D. to inform readers about the seasons

B. to help express the characters’ feelings

In “The Sound of Summer Running” and “Eleven,” there is a moment when the main character puts on something for the first time. In a short essay, tell what each char- acter puts on and how the character feels at that moment. How are the experiences different for these characters? How are they similar?

In “The Sound of Summer Running,” Douglas puts on the Litefoot tennis shoes. At that moment, he feels light and free and powerful. In “Eleven,” Rachel puts on the red sweater. She feels horrified and embarrassed. The experiences are different because Douglas has positive feelings and Rachel has negative feelings. They are similar because the worn objects have power over each character.

Think about the words and actions of Douglas in “The Sound of Summer Running” and Rachel in “Eleven.” In your opinion, which character seems to behave more like a real person? Write a short essay explaining why.

Some students will find Douglas more real, because they will identify with his love of summer and new tennis shoes. Other students will find Rachel more real, because like many eleven-year-olds she has a difficult time communicating with adults, is easily embarrassed, and dislikes certain classmates.

In “The Sound of Summer Running” what does Douglas’s father tell him when Douglas asks for new sneakers?

A. They don’t have enough money for new sneakers. B. He will buy Douglas the sneakers the next day. C. Douglas should save his own money for the sneakers. D. Douglas should forget about the new sneakers.

C. Douglas should save his own money for the sneakers.

Look at each group of words below. Which group contains items that all represent images and ideas presented in “The Sound of Summer Running”?

A. tennis shoes, summer, youth B. fields of wheat, farmers, harvest C. Litefoot, low-cal soda, sugarless candy D. June, magic, socks

A. tennis shoes, summer, youth

In “The Sound of Summer Running,” what is one thing that the new sneakers symbolize?

A. freedom B. loss C. successful business D. resentment

In “The Sound of Summer Running,” what do last year’s sneakers symbolize for Douglas?

A. long, cold winters B. going barefoot C. the end of summer D. a job at the shoe store

C. the end of summer

Which sentence best expresses how the authors use symbols in “The Sound of Summer Running” and “Eleven”?

A. They use symbols to persuade the reader to buy new clothing. B. They use symbols to represent the characters’ feelings. C. They use symbols to express messages about old age. D. They use symbols to stand for forces of nature.

B. They use symbols to represent the characters’ feelings.

How are Rachel in “Eleven” and Douglas in “The Sound of Summer Running” alike?

A. They both make a plan and follow through with it. B. They both have birthdays in the summer. C. They are both misunderstood by an adult. D. They both want to be older than they are.

C. They are both misunderstood by an adult.

How are the main symbols in “The Sound of Summer Running” and “Eleven” alike?

A. They are both items that you can wear. B. They are both times of the year. C. They are both attractive to the main characters. D. They both belong to the main characters.

A. They are both items that you can wear.

What message about youth is conveyed in both “The Sound of Summer Running” and “Eleven”?

A. Youth is a painful part of life. B. Shoes are important to eleven-year-olds. C. Some people spend their youth wishing they were older. D. Youth can be a time of very strong feelings.

D. Youth can be a time of very strong feelings.

What might Douglas in “The Sound of Summer Running” and Rachel in “Eleven” agree that they would like to do?

A. go home B. speak up C. escape D. hide

A symbol is a person, place, or thing that stands for something else. For example, a heart shape is often used as a symbol of love. In an essay, identify the central symbol in “The Sound of Summer Running” and the central symbol in “Eleven.” Explain what you think each symbol stands for. How are these two symbols alike? How are they different?

The new tennis shoes are the central symbol in “The Sound of Summer Running,” and the red sweater as the central symbol in “Eleven.” The tennis shoes stand for summer, freedom, power, nature, youth, or Douglas’s love of summer. They might say the red sweater stands for the feelings of loneliness, embarrassment, immaturity, or being misunderstood. The two symbols are alike because they are items that can be worn, and they are items about which the main characters have strong feelings. The symbols are different because the tennis shoes represent very positive feelings, while the sweater represents very negative feelings.

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The sound of summer running

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Scope and Contents

Draft typescript with author's corrections of a short story about a young boy's longings for a new pair of athletic shoes. This story appeared as a chapter in Bradbury's book, Dandelion wine (New York : Doubleday & Co., Inc., 1957)

• Bradbury, Ray, 1920-2012 (Person)

Restrictions on Access

May not be copied without permission of author.

Biographical Note

American, science fiction novelist and short story author.

0.4 Linear Feet (34 leaves)

Language of Materials

Additional description.

Draft typescript with Bradbury's corrections of a short story about a young boy's longings for a new pair of athletic shoes. The collection contains material from 1955 created by Ray Bradbury.

Arrangement

Arranged without hierarchy.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Short story, Donn Albright, New York, NY 10036, Trade, 1991, 91-14/1, Ray Bradbury.

Bibliographic References

Bradbury, Ray. Dandelion wine. New York : Dounbleday & Co., Inc., 1957.

• Authors, American -- 20th century

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Repository details.

Part of the University of Nevada, Reno. Special Collections Department Repository

Collection organization

The sound of summer running, 91-14/1. Special Collections, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Reno.

Cite Item Description

The sound of summer running, 91-14/1. Special Collections, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Reno. https://archive.library.unr.edu/public/repositories/2/resources/759 Accessed April 23, 2024.

Historical Materials Content Warning Archival collections are historical materials and as such may include content reflecting various forms of oppression, trauma, or violence which reflect the perspectives and activities of those that created and participated in them. They are held by the archives as historical records of the time in which they were created or kept.

Text and metadata are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) license

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The Sound of Summer Running

Ray bradbury, about the author.

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The Sound of Summer Running

5th - 7th grade.

11 questions

Introducing new   Paper mode

No student devices needed.   Know more

In “The Sound of Summer Running,” what effect do the tennis shoes in the store window have on Douglas?

They make him run while his family walks.

They make him start longing to own them.

They make him think about the end of summer.

They make him sad because it is too late to buy them.

In “The Sound of Summer Running,” what does his father want to know when Douglas first mentions the new sneakers?

why Douglas needs a new pair

how much the new shoes cost

what the new shoes look like

the brand of the new shoes

What is the main challenge Douglas faces in “The Sound of Summer Running”?

He realizes that all his friends already have new shoes.

He learns that his father will not allow him to buy new shoes.

He realizes he will not be able to pay for the shoes this summer.

He discovers that Mr. Sanderson has not worn sneakers recently.

In “The Sound of Summer Running,” what proposal does Douglas make to Mr. Sanderson?

Douglas offers to sell shoes until he has enough money to pay for the sneakers.

Douglas offers to pay for the sneakers by working for Mr. Sanderson.

Douglas offers to buy the sneakers on credit over six weeks.

Douglas offers to trade his old sneakers for the new ones.

Which of the following is the best example of something that has been suspended ?

a bicycle race up a mountain road

a closet packed full of old clothing

a beach lying empty in the wintertime

a traffic light hanging over an intersection

If a shirt button has become detached , which of the following is most likely to be true?

The button is no longer shiny.

The button is securely fastened.

The shirt can no longer be worn.

The button has fallen on the floor.

How is an abandoned house most likely to look?

warm and cozy

sleek and modern

old and neglected

large and impressive

In “The Sound of Summer Running,” Douglas says he does not know what he is going to be when he is older. What does Mr. Sanderson mean when he says the following in response?

“Anything you want to be, son,” said the old man, “you’ll be. No one will ever stop you.”

He means that Douglas is popular with his friends.

He means that Douglas can run faster than anyone.

He means that Douglas knows how to save money.

He means that Douglas is determined and persuasive.

The following question has two parts. Answer Part A first, and then Part B.

Part A In “The Sound of Summer Running,” how do the sneakers mainly affect Mr. Sanderson when he puts them on?

They help him to feel a deep friendship with Douglas.

They help him to remember an important event from his past.

They help him to experience feelings he has not had in a long time.

They help him to understand why Douglas will one day take over his business.

Part B Which sentence from “The Sounds of Summer Running” best supports the answer to Part A?

The tennis shoes silently hushed themselves deep in the carpet, sank as in a jungle grass, in loam and resilient clay.

Emotions hurried over his face as if many colored lights had been switched on and off.

Slowly he gentled and rocked himself to a halt, and the boy’s voice faded and they stood there looking at each other in a tremendous and natural silence.

In “The Sound of Summer Running,” what idea do the new sneakers most clearly symbolize, or stand for?

responsibility

accomplishment

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