Bea Sorenson

Carol Kennicott

Bea is Carol's Swedish maid and loyal household helper, sharing a warm but unequal employer-servant relationship that transcends mere work.

Carol Kennicott

Bea is Carol's Swedish maid and loyal household helper, sharing a warm but unequal employer-servant relationship that transcends mere work.

Carol Kennicott

Bea is Carol's Swedish maid and loyal household helper, sharing a warm but unequal employer-servant relationship that transcends mere work.

III

Bea arrives in Gopher Prairie, eager to escape farm life and work as a hired girl. She is awed by the town's size, stores, and amenities.

IV

Hired as a maid; described as plump, radiant, and droll, she becomes a friend and helper to Carol.

V

The maid who helps Carol prepare and serve the afternoon tea.

III

Carol speaks judiciously to Bea about leftovers, involving her in the household economy.

II

Mentioned as competent and assisting with household labor.

II

Mentioned as the subject of criticism for Carol being too chummy with her servant.

V

Bea becomes Carol's confidante, treating her with genuine admiration and sharing a playful, collegial bond.

VI

Out for the afternoon, presumably with her cousin Tina.

II

Shares a cheerful supper with Carol, recounting a fun afternoon with Tina and her fella.

Chapter III

Carol speculates with Bea about Will's delay.

VI

Bakes cookies for Carol's surprise visit to Kennicott's office.

VII

Mentioned by Mrs. Bogart as being at risk from young men; Carol defends her.

VI

Dines with Bjornstam in the kitchen, giggles at his stories, receives his flirtatious attention.

IV

Miles Bjornstam is keeping company with her.

VII

Part of the Bjornstams who, along with Carol's baby, become her only source of interest over three years.

Chapter II

Marries Miles Bjornstam in June; her wedding is managed by Carol.

VIII

Now married to Miles; receives Carol warmly; described by Miles as a devoted 'mother hen.'

III

Wins the Best Baby prize for her son Olaf, but faces scorn from the town's matrons.

IV

Takes Carol to the Norwegian Fair at the Lutheran Church.

Chapter XXIV

Bea, the hired girl, becomes a close confidante to Carol, representing the vitality and simplicity Carol craves.

IV

Mentioned as a former maid who lived in the cramped, unimproved maid's-room.

I

Miles's wife, chubby and humming, who dotes on both Hugh and Olaf.

Chapter II

Falls ill with typhoid and dies; her death is a profound loss for Miles and Carol.