Transcript Sonata for Harp and Bicycle” - Iroquois Central School

“Sonata for Harp and Bicycle”
By Joan Aiken
Setting:
Present Day and 50 years ago; over 2
days; Halloween
London, England
Grimes Building - haunted
Characterization:
 Jason Ashgrove – copy writer; is cursed by the ghost of W. Heron
(hair turns white)
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Curious
Devises a plan to reunite ghosts
Jumps off escape ending curse
Falls in love with Miss Golden
 Bernice Golden – Jason’s secretary
 Gives Jason clues about mystery
 Helps Jason because she loves him
 William Heron – ghost haunts building for 50 yrs.
 AKA the wailing watchman on bike
 Kills himself after feeling rejected by Daisy
 Daisy Bell – music teacher
 Ghost who haunts building
 William’s love
 “pines away” = broken heart
Conflicts:
Type - Man vs. AF (Jason vs. curse/ghost)
Develop - Jason is told he will die within five
days. He must figure out a way to beat the
curse.
Resolution – Jason reunites William and Daisy;
beating the curse
Themes:
“Love makes one accomplish great things”
“Love survives time and death”
“Love conquers all”
Literary Elements
Point of view – 3rd person
Foreshadowing –
“the bell tinkled its tiny warning”
“No one is allowed to stay in the building after
5pm”
Fire escape, harp, bike
Situational Irony – The ghosts haunt the
building for 50 years, but they never meet