Ramona Forever

Beezus Quimby is Ramona Quimby’s older sister and an important secondary character in the book. Beezus’s role is as a foil to Ramona but also her partner, and the dynamic relationship between the sisters provides much of the novel’s emotional tension and resolution. 

Beezus is portrayed as an archetypal older sister who is protective and kind toward her little sister while also frequently annoyed by her antics. Beezus is irritated by Ramona’s impulsivity and how she ignores her authority over her. When Ramona wants to play outside, her sister wants to stop her, saying, “‘You’re supposed to ask first,’ said Beezus. ‘You can’t go out unless I say so’” (43). Beezus sometimes acts superior to Ramona. When Ramona has ideas, Beezus often shoots her down. For instance, when Ramona wants to gather flowers for the wedding, Beezus is unsupportive: “‘What flowers?’ demanded Beezus. ‘Those buggy pansies in the backyard?’” (110). When Ramona compliments herself on growing up, and says she’s “wonderful,” Beezus interjects to say she’s actually “blunderful” (146).

However, Beezus can also be very kind to Ramona and feels protective toward her. When Ramona complains about her uncomfortable wedding shoes, Beezus helps her hide them so she can walk comfortably down the aisle in her socks instead. Ramona is anxious while waiting for the new baby, and Beezus kindly comforts her: “Then she put her arms around Ramona, something she had never done before. ‘Don’t worry, Ramona. Everything will be all right’” (134). Over the course of the book, Beezus becomes more patient with Ramona, and the two increasingly resolve their misunderstandings together, deepening their sisterly bond.

Mrs. Quimby is Beezus and Ramona’s mother and a secondary character in the book. Mrs. Quimby is portrayed as a patient and friendly parent to Beezus and Ramona. Her role in the book is as the archetypal maternal figure and as a source of comfort and problem-solving. When Ramona and Beezus bury the family cat by themselves, Mrs. Quimby is overcome with pride in her children, and sympathy for their loss: “Mrs. Quimby brushed away a tear with the back of her hand. ‘I’m a very lucky mother to have such dear girls’” (63). When Ramona is adjusting to the idea of being the middle child in the family, Mrs. Quimby tries to reassure her, saying, “You will be my middle child, with a special place right in the middle of my heart” (74).

Mrs. Quimby is a hard worker; she works at a doctor’s office to help support the family, and she is also very present for her children. Despite the family’s financial constraints, Mrs. Quimby remains optimistic and tries to keep the family thinking positively. For instance, when her husband has only one job offer in a rural school miles away, she calmly advises him to think about it: “Mrs. Quimby kissed her husband on the forehead. ‘Why don’t we think it over for a few days? Now that you’ve had one offer, another might come along’” (78). Mrs. Quimby’s kindness, empathy, and work ethic make her a likeable character and portray her as a reliable and loving parent to Beezus and Ramona. 

Mr. Quimby is a secondary character, father to Beezus and Ramona. He is depicted as a kind, funny, and patient dad to the girls. When Ramona has problems with Mrs. Kemp, her father kindly listens to her perspective: “There was a time when Mr. Quimby would have said something such as, ‘Pull yourself together Ramona, and eat your dinner.’ Instead, now that he was studying to be a teacher, he said calmly and quietly, ‘Tell us about it, Ramona’” (30). Mr. Quimby is a perceptive dad who understands Ramona’s needs. For instance, when Roberta is born and Ramona catches “siblingitis,” Mr. Quimby tells her that he understands that her “illness” is from feeling “worried and angry” that she couldn’t meet Roberta (142). In his trajectory through the series—made explicit in this novel—Ramona’s dad models the ways in which fathers can acknowledge and process emotions, and the importance of the bond between daughters and fathers. 

Mr. Quimby is training to be an art teacher, but he keeps his job at the grocery store when he does not receive any good teaching offers from local schools. Beezus and Ramona sense his sadness about his unsatisfying work, which he continues so he can support the family. This deepens Mr. Quimby’s character, showing that while he is unhappy with his profession, he continues to work hard for his family and tries to remain in good spirits regardless: “He was worried and nervous. The girls could tell because he made more jokes than usual. When he was worried, he always joked” (68). Mr. Quimby’s difficult professional situation adds realism to his character, and his supportive nature makes him a sympathetic secondary character.

Aunt Beatrice, or Aunt Bea, is Mrs. Quimby’s sister and Ramona and Beezus’s aunt. She is a secondary character in the story. Although she is a positive character, her role in the story is as a catalyst for plot points that cause Ramona intense emotions such as jealousy, anger, anxiety, or excitement. Aunt Bea is portrayed as an attentive and loving aunt to Beezus and Ramona: She is very close with both girls and asks them to be her bridesmaids at her wedding to Uncle Hobart. Even though Ramona dislikes Hobart, she still agrees to be her Aunt Bea’s bridesmaid and takes her job very seriously, proving her love for her aunt.

As a teacher, Aunt Bea is used to working with young kids and is especially good at connecting with Ramona: “Aunt Beatrice, who taught third grade, knew how to behave towards her third grade niece. ‘What?’ she asked, laying down her fork as if expected to be astounded by Ramona’s news” (8). Aunt Bea’s love of kids makes her a fun and light-hearted adult. For instance, at her wedding, Howie sings a silly song making fun of weddings, to her amusement: “The bride did hear, and laughed. She knew what to expect from boy’s Howie’s age” (119). Indeed, she invites her whole third-grade class to her wedding because she is excited to share her special day with them all.