# Phoebe Beecham — Phoebe, Junior character guide > Phoebe Beecham in Phoebe, Junior by Margaret Oliphant. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** young Mrs. Beecham, Mrs. Phoebe, Poor Phoebe **First appearance:** 0002-iii-mr-copperhead-s-ball ## Snapshot Phoebe Tozer's London-raised mother, who married upward into shabby gentility and now sends her daughter to Carlingford with an eye to business. ## Who they are Young Mrs. Beecham has climbed far enough from the butter-shop to keep up appearances in town, and far enough to find her own father embarrassing when he meets her at the station. She manages her daughter's prospects with the same brisk calculation she once applied to weekly bills, and her ambitions shape what Phoebe is willing to want. Her absence from Carlingford is itself a presence, a reminder of the respectability the Tozers are buying with their money. ## Relationships ### [Phoebe Tozer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/characters/phoebe_tozer) _friendship_ Phoebe Beecham is a kind and supportive friend to Phoebe Tozer, often acting as a confidante. ### [Ursula May](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/characters/ursula_may) _friendship_ Phoebe Beecham and Ursula May are close friends, though Ursula's romantic rivalry with Phoebe Tozer creates some strain. ### [Reginald May](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/characters/reginald_may) _social_ Phoebe Beecham and Reginald May are acquaintances, with Phoebe acting as a neutral party in his romantic affairs. ### [Clarence Copperhead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/characters/clarence_copperhead) _social_ Clarence and Phoebe Beecham are acquaintances, with Phoebe often serving as a go-between for Clarence and Phoebe Tozer. ### [Phoebe Tozer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/characters/phoebe_tozer) _friendship_ Phoebe Beecham is a kind and supportive friend to Phoebe Tozer, often acting as a confidante. ### [Phoebe Tozer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/characters/phoebe_tozer) _friendship_ Phoebe Beecham is a kind and supportive friend to Phoebe Tozer, often acting as a confidante. ### [Ursula May](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/characters/ursula_may) _friendship_ Phoebe Beecham and Ursula May are close friends, though Ursula's romantic rivalry with Phoebe Tozer creates some strain. ### [Reginald May](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/characters/reginald_may) _social_ Phoebe Beecham and Reginald May are acquaintances, with Phoebe acting as a neutral party in his romantic affairs. ### [Ursula May](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/characters/ursula_may) _friendship_ Phoebe Beecham and Ursula May are close friends, though Ursula's romantic rivalry with Phoebe Tozer creates some strain. ### [Reginald May](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/characters/reginald_may) _social_ Phoebe Beecham and Reginald May are acquaintances, with Phoebe acting as a neutral party in his romantic affairs. ### [Clarence Copperhead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/characters/clarence_copperhead) _social_ Clarence and Phoebe Beecham are acquaintances, with Phoebe often serving as a go-between for Clarence and Phoebe Tozer. ### [Clarence Copperhead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/characters/clarence_copperhead) _social_ Clarence and Phoebe Beecham are acquaintances, with Phoebe often serving as a go-between for Clarence and Phoebe Tozer. ## In the story ### [I: The Pastor's Progress](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/i-the-pastor-s-progress) The only daughter of a leading deacon, she marries Mr. Beecham and drives their social ascent, displaying ambition and a desire for finer society. ### [V: Self-Devotion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/v-self-devotion) Anxious mother who worries about her daughter's exposure to the Tozers' low social standing; she is torn between pride in Phoebe's refinement and fear of social humiliation. ### [XI: Phoebe’s Preparations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xi-phoebe-s-preparations) Decides to go to Carlingford out of duty and a desire for change; confident in her own superiority and future marriage prospects; secretly hopes to humble Mr. Copperhead. ### [XIII: The Tozer Family](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xiii-the-tozer-family) Mentioned as the mother who fitted Phoebe out perfectly, possibly with pride in showing off her daughter. ### [XVI: The New Gentleman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xvi-the-new-gentleman) Encountered Horace Northcote on Grange Lane; graciously but firmly navigates the social awkwardness of her grandfather's invitation and her own family's low status. ### [A New Friend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xxi-a-new-friend) The new friend whose grandfather is old Tozer; Ursula is anxious about meeting her again. ### [XXVIII: The New Pupil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xxviii-the-new-pupil) Visiting from her grandmother's, she is surprised by Clarence's arrival and speculates about his motives; accepts an invitation to dinner and teases Clarence about his views. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/characters/phoebe_beecham - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/characters