Ramona Quimby Age 8

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1981

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Summary

Background

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-3

Chapters 4-6

Chapters 7-9

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

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Discussion Questions

Symbols & Motifs

The Pink Eraser

Mr. Quimby gifts Ramona and Beezus an eraser to mark the significance of their first day of school and to provide an important life lesson. Mr. Quimby wants his daughters to remember that everyone makes mistakes. Ramona and her father both share a love of drawing, and she “[…] especially treasured the new eraser, smooth, pearly pink, smelling softly of rubber, and just right for erasing pencil lines” (8). Danny makes a mistake in taking Ramona’s eraser, but when he returns it, he creates an opportunity to become friends with Ramona instead of enemies. His returning it marks the beginning of their connection.

Mistakes and misunderstandings are a motif in the novel. Ramona regretfully smashes a raw egg on her head, and Mrs. Whaley unknowingly hurts her feelings. Ramona blames her mother for the egg debacle and regrets her misplaced anger, and Beezus rudely refuses dinner and regrets her mistake. At the end of the novel, Ramona reflects on her choices as well as those of others; she determines that just because she sometimes makes mistakes, that doesn’t mean she is a bad person. She determines to work harder at being kind, especially to Willa Jean. Mr. Quimby’s first day of school gift reminds his daughters that a person is not defined by their worst mistakes, and that people build character when they recognize their errors and pledge to do better going forward.

Food

In the novel, food, eating, and mealtime are a source of humor and a symbol of family bonding. From staring at blue oatmeal, watching cat food commercials, and savoring a delicious cheeseburger, Beverly Cleary saturates her story with edible items. This adds a sensory dimension to the story and depicts the characters as realistic humans with cravings and aversions. After the egg incident, Ramona learns a valuable lesson that she should avoid the latest trend, especially if it involves playing with food. Food becomes an enemy when Ramona comes down with a virus, and all she can hold down is a carbonated drink and tea. Food is a necessary part of life, but often the procuring and preparation of meals can be stressful, especially when finances are tight.

The Quimbys can’t afford to waste food, and meals come to emblemize the family’s tense financial situation. At their regular Sunday family meal, Beezus is horrified when she realizes Mrs. Quimby has served them tongue, a nutritious source of protein but less expensive than other cuts of meat. Cleary incorporates visual details to convey Beezus’s disgust over the unconventional meal: “One edge of her meat was covered with tiny bumps” (71). When the girls are forced to cook a family meal, the task becomes a bonding experience. Cleary describes in detail the sisters’ process, even down to the grainy cereal and sticky syrup they spill on the floor.

Fittingly, the novel ends with the family spontaneously visiting a restaurant. The savory food warms the family’s bellies, but it’s the generosity of a stranger that fills their hearts. Cleary’s profuse incorporation of food in the narrative reflects humanity’s connection to food as a means of sustenance, but also a way to connect with others.

Ramona’s Cat Mask

In the Ramona series, masks raise questions of selfhood and facilitate acts of courage. In Ramona the Pest, a younger version of Ramona wears a witch mask for Halloween. This renders her unrecognizable to herself in the mirror, causing her to question her identity. In Ramona Quimby, Age 8, Ramona’s cat mask begins as a creative endeavor inspired by her love of jingly cat food commercials and helps her to bravely confront Mrs. Whaley. The mask symbolizes Ramona’s imagination and creativity. It allows her to express her emotions freely from behind the safety of the disguise.

Whenever Ramona feels anxious or stuck, she turns to her love of arts and crafts for comfort. As the due date for the book report approaches, Ramona is full of anxiety as Beezus has warned her she must make the report interesting and different from the others. Moreover, Ramona didn’t enjoy the book and struggles to find an angle for the report’s theme. However, once she pulls out her art supplies, Ramona has no trouble finding a creative solution to her problem: “Nothing in the whole world felt as good as being able to make something from a sudden idea” (140). Ramona’s artistic skills give her confidence in herself and make returning to school easier. Her cat commercial book report is a huge success and restores Ramona’s love of third grade.

Ramona must be vulnerable in telling Mrs. Whaley how her words hurt her, and the mask acts as a shield: “Ramona felt brave behind her cat mask” (145). The sight of a child in a cute costume moves Mrs. Whaley to empathize with Ramona’s hurt feelings, and she is genuinely apologetic for making Ramona feel sad. Ramona’s cat mask allows her to resolve a conflict with her teacher and relieve herself of an emotional burden. Some people might say wearing a mask can be deceitful or deceptive, but for Ramona, her cat mask helps reveal her authentic self, allowing her to be truthful and transparent.