Ramona Quimby Age 8

The novel begins in media res, or in the middle of a situation. Ramona never reveals what the conflict with her parents is or if it is ever resolved. By opening the story this way, Beverly Cleary gives the sense of dropping right back into the Quimby family and Ramona’s world from the last novel in the series. The mention of the incident also foreshadows future conflict, as Ramona and Beezus will find themselves at odds with their parents at various points in the story.

As the first vignette begins, the Quimby family exhibits noticeable changes, some that excite Ramona and some that cause her anxiety. For the first time, each family member is going in a different direction: Mr. Quimby is in college, Mrs. Quimby has a job, Beezus is off to middle school, and Ramona is riding the bus alone to a new elementary school. The house is full of the frenetic chaos of a rushed weekday morning and the anticipation of new beginnings for many of the family members. Attending school without her sister’s looming shadow excites Ramona, and she is giddy with all the new possibilities that lie ahead for her. Mr. Quimby gives Ramona and Beezus new pink erasers, which serves as a metaphor for the mistakes everyone makes in life The erasers also signal the Quimby’s financial situation. The gift is meager yet meaningful, especially to Ramona, who shares a love of art with her father.

Through Ramona, Cleary explores a key theme, The Impact of Family Stress on a Child. Despite her excitement over the new school year, Ramona’s father’s career transition causes her anxiety. She worries about how this change will affect Mr. Quimby and the entire family.

Cleary also explores another key theme, A Child’s Evolving Self-Perception. Ramona’s interior monologue reveals maturation and emotional intelligence—Ramona considers not only her well-being but her father’s. Though she is anxious about the family’s financial situation, she also longs for him to find a career that he loves.

Ramona considers her shifting sense of identity. She wonders what it will be like to attend school without Beezus and the responsibility she has to help her family by staying at the Kemps’ after school so her mother can work. When Ramona arrives at the bus stop and Howie remarks that her feet have grown, Ramona realizes the extent of her physical growth, but the moment also symbolizes her coming-of-age. Ramona is no longer escorted to school by her mother. Instead, she walks alone to the stop to ride the bus alone to school. Ramona has not only outgrown her shoes but her early elementary school identity. However, her father’s gift of the eraser is a prophetic reminder of Ramona’s sometimes impulsive decision-making.

The bus ride to school presents Ramona with her first obstacle—Danny’s antagonistic behavior. A younger version of Ramona would have easily lost her temper and exploded in anger or a tantrum in the face of Danny’s bullying. However, she further displays her maturity by remaining calm and in control of her emotions. The incident does upset her, and she fights tears as she enters the school. Though Ramona exhibits emotional growth and maturity, she is still a vulnerable child.

Ramona places a lot of value on her relationships with her teachers. From the first moment, Mrs. Whaley confounds Ramona with the informality of her address. When Ramona’s squeaky shoes interrupt the class, she can’t tell from Mrs. Whaley’s reaction if Mrs. Whaley is sympathizing with her or annoyed by the interruption. At the end of her first day, Ramona is uncertain about her teacher but, in light of Danny returning her eraser, optimistic that the school year might turn out to be a success.

The novel illustrates Ramona’s vulnerability further with Mrs. Whaley. After the egg-cracking incident, Ramona overhears Mrs. Whaley calling her a “nuisance” and “a show-off,” and though she misunderstands Mrs. Whaley’s meaning, the words cut Ramona to her heart. Ramona’s sense of self is tied to how people in authority view her, and hearing her teacher’s unkind words sends her into an existential crisis that lasts through the entire story.

Through Ramona’s experiences at school, Cleary explores The Importance of Literacy, Education, and Teachers in a Child’s Life. On the one hand, Ramona adores her new teacher’s view of reading and even borrows the idea to keep Willa Jean out of her hair. However, Mrs. Whaley hurts young Ramona with her biting words. This serves as a warning for educators to be watchful of their behavior, as they exert much power on a young person’s life.

Ramona’s excitement about school is juxtaposed with her distaste for spending afternoons with Willa Jean. Her time at the Kemps’ feels oppressive; she feels trapped under Mrs. Kemp’s watchful eye and by her responsibility to help her family instead of enjoying the freedom of afterschool adventures. Afternoons at the Kemps’ are a painful reminder of the Quimby’s difficult financial situation, as Ramona longingly watches Howie and his friends race around on their bicycles.

Howie has been Ramona’s closest friend throughout the series, but their relationship changes in this novel; they are no longer in the same class and grow apart. At this point in the novel, Howie is Danny’s foil, or a character who illuminates another character through opposing qualities. Unlike Danny, Howie is kind to Ramona and offers her a turn on the bike. However, as the narrative progresses, Danny will supplant Howie’s place as Ramona’s friend, as Danny’s personality is a better match for Ramona’s spunky, outgoing demeanor.