Running

The title of the novel is "What Makes Sammy Run?" so running is a clear, key theme of the plot. The main character spends the entire novel wondering what makes his fellow character, Sammy Glick, move so quickly and continually as if he is always running. Starting with the first chapter Sammy is examined in this context; why he is literally running, why he is figuratively running and where he is running to. While examining Sammy, the reader gets a chance to see that the other characters are doing some running of their own by chasing Sammy.

Sammy Glick is raised in the depths of poverty and becomes so resentful of his circumstances that running comes natural to him early in life. The direction of his resentment is first towards his father, whom Sammy feels could have easily avoided the destitute life his family faces. Sammy feels that...