From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

Three years younger than his sister Claudia, Jamie Kincaid accompanies her as she runs away from home. Jamie is a foil character to Claudia in many ways. For instance, he expresses a preference for difficulties and complications (though his tolerance for actual difficulties is never really tested during the narrative), whereas Claudia prefers to live in comfort. Jamie is also much stingier than Claudia when it comes to spending money, and he takes the lead in managing their funds. In public and social situations, Jamie is prone to take risks and even has something of a theatrical streak, as he is tempted to dramatically reveal himself to his classmates when they visit the museum. His penchant for playing and cheating at War for money reveals that he can be sly and crafty when he needs to be, but he is also prone to blurt out secrets, as when he accidentally tells Mrs. Frankweiler where he and Claudia stayed. Compared to Claudia, Jamie is more focused on present, practical matters, and he takes a dry rather than personal interest in Angel. As Claudia tells him, “You could go clear around the world and still come home wondering if the tuna fish sandwiches at Chock Full O’Nuts still cost thirty-five cents” (114).

As Claudia’s friend and sidekick, Jamie does not undergo as dramatic a transformation as Claudia; he has not yet reached the stage of self-reflection that she has. Instead of having an epiphany related to his own identity, Jamie simply backs away from some of the unhealthy extremes of his character, such as his obsession with money. He strengthens his relationship with Claudia, learning to be tolerant of her shortcomings, and even, it is hinted, keeps a secret or two of his own, as he admits that he didn’t say everything into Mrs. Frankweiler’s tape recorder.

Mrs. Frankweiler is the novel’s narrator. A wealthy, 82-year-old widow with a love for collecting art and information, Mrs. Frankweiler’s commentary throughout the novel proves both insightful and provocative. Comparing herself to Claudia, Mrs. Frankweiler reflects, “Her concern for delicate details is as well developed as mine” (19). Elsewhere, on the subject of high heels, she suggests, “I always say that those who wear ‘em deserve ‘em” (32), showing that she enjoys being unconventional. Blunt in her communication, Mrs. Frankweiler detests anything boring, as she describes a recent visit from Saxonberg as “boring” and later promises to let Jamie and Claudia spend time with her as long as they don’t bore her.

Mrs. Frankweiler doesn’t necessarily change throughout the novel, but it takes a while for her true qualities to become apparent. At first appearing harsh and cool, as the children get to know her she allows herself to become vulnerable in expressing her sadness that she never had any children. Naturally, they step forward to fill a role as grandchildren, and her decision to leave them Michelangelo’s sketch in her will even legitimizes their connection legally. To each of them, Mrs. Frankweiler provides a meaningful example. To Claudia, she demonstrates how to distinguish oneself and live authentically. To Jamie, she shows that money is not the most important thing, such as when she sells Angel cheaply and when she tells him she knows never to cheat “when the stakes are high” (156).