Beezus and Ramona

Ramona, Beezus’s younger sister, will become the primary focus of the series and is Cleary’s most famous literary creation. Tasked with managing her little sister, Beezus wrangles with the headstrong preschooler, a job better suited for an adult than for a nine-year-old. Ramona is a constant source of anxiety and frustration for her sister Beezus, but through her gambols, Ramona provides opportunities for Beezus to grow and mature. As Beezus’s foil, Ramona highlights her sister’s strengths, and their sibling relationship teaches Beezus about the complicated yet rewarding journey of relationships.

Cleary reveals through Ramona a child’s sense of logic. For example, marshmallows are covered in white powder, so it makes sense to Ramona that they can be used as makeup. Ramona is not completely chaotic, but she does see the world differently than others. Ramona speaks the truth without filtering herself and does not conform readily to the expectations of her family, friends, and teachers. This serves to balance Beezus’s hypercritical interior monologue and fretful consideration of others’ perceptions of her and her choices. Beezus is bound by her fear and doubt, but Ramona is free. The younger sister represents the bliss and freedom of the lack of self-awareness that comes with childhood: “Just look at her, thought Beezus. Cookie crumbs sticking to the front of her overalls, her hands and face dirty, and those silly paper ears. She’s just awful, that’s what she is, perfectly awful—and she looks so cheerful” (91). Although Beezus is outwardly critical of Ramona’s carefree personality, she envies her sister’s uninhibited way of moving through the world.

At first, the novel is centered on Beezus’s contemptuous relationship with her little sister, Ramona. However, as the novel progresses, Beezus’s connection with Aunt Beatrice becomes an important anchor for the narrative. The author establishes this on the first page when she explains that Beezus is only a nickname Ramona gave her sister. Beezus is named Beatrice after her aunt, and Beezus idolizes everything about her, including her independent way of life. The narrator explains, “Beezus hoped to be exactly like Aunt Beatrice when she grew up. She wanted to be a fourth-grade teacher and drive a yellow convertible and live in an apartment house with an elevator and a buzzer that opened the front door” (2). Beezus admires her aunt’s autonomy and values her wisdom. Although Beatrice doesn’t physically appear in the novel until the closing chapter, her presence permeates the narrative, as she speaks on the phone with her sister and with Beezus at various intervals. Even when she is not speaking, Beatrice is often in Beezus’s thoughts.

Aunt Beatrice finally appears on the page in the last chapter as the hero of the story, bringing not only gifts but also a beautiful store-bought cake to replace the two cakes Ramona ruined. Beatrice’s choice of gifts reveals that she really knows her niece and enjoys seeing her happy and fulfilled. Her presence brings an unexpected shift in the story as she and her sister, Dorothy, band together to encourage Beezus in her feelings of guilt and shame. The birthday party turns into a lovely walk down memory lane for the sisters as they share humorous anecdotes about their tumultuous childhood sibling rivalry. The moment adds depth to Beatrice’s character as an adult and a younger sister, and Beezus sees her favorite adult in an entirely new light. The gifts of the sewing kit and new blue dress delight Beezus; however, the most valuable gift she receives from her aunt is feeling fully seen and heard.

Dorothy Quimby, mostly referred to as “Mrs. Quimby” or “Mother” in the narrative, is Beezus and Ramona’s mother. Mrs. Quimby does not work outside the home in this book—although she will take a job later in the series—and spends her days tending to her daughters and running the Quimby household. She is married to Mr. Quimby, but he does not feature prominently in the novel. Mrs. Quimby is depicted for much of the narrative as a harried figure due to Ramona’s mischievous, messy behavior. However, as the story develops, the author gives Mrs. Quimby a more developed characterization as an older sister to Beatrice. Through the eyes of Beezus, Mrs. Quimby transforms from a mother who does not understand her to a friend and ally who sympathizes with her plight as an older sibling.

In most aspects, Dorothy Quimby is the stereotypical 1950s homemaker. She cooks, cleans, sews, and is not employed outside the home. However, Cleary does not draw her as an idealized, one-dimensional figure donning an apron and happily presenting fragrant homemade cakes to her adoring family. Mrs. Quimby is imperfect, frazzled, and often in need of help from her oldest daughter or her younger sister just to keep the house from falling into chaos. She struggles to balance her responsibilities as a wife, mother, sister, and neighbor and is not ashamed to show her weaknesses at times or serve a store-bought cake in an emergency. Although her character does represent a traditional view of the female role, through Mrs. Quimby, Cleary draws a character who is authentic, with vivid struggles and visceral emotions. For example, although Dorothy does not articulate it, Beezus recognizes that her mother misses her own sister: “Beezus noticed that Mother gave a little sigh as she smoothed her side of the sheet […] Why, Mother misses Aunt Beatrice too, thought Beezus. I believe she misses her as much as I do [… ]” (119). By watching her mother deal with adult feelings, Beezus develops empathy for her. She moves from a constant state of frustration over what she views as her mother’s lackadaisical parenting of Ramona to a broader understanding of her mother as a human. Although Beatrice is the woman that Beezus idolizes, Mrs. Quimby transforms in her daughter’s eyes from a parent to a friend as they bond over her mother’s memories of childhood.