Sonata for Harp and Bicycle By Joan Aiken

“Sonata for Harp and Bicycle” By Joan Aiken

Setting: l Present Day and 50 years ago; over 2 days; Halloween l London, England l Grimes Building - haunted

Characterization: l Jason Ashgrove – copy writer; is cursed by the ghost of W. Heron (hair turns white) ¡ ¡ l Bernice Golden – Jason’s secretary ¡ ¡ l Gives Jason clues about mystery Helps Jason because she loves him William Heron – ghost haunts building for 50 yrs. ¡ ¡ l Curious Devises a plan to reunite ghosts Jumps off escape ending curse Falls in love with Miss Golden AKA the wailing watchman on bike Kills himself after feeling rejected by Daisy Bell – music teacher ¡ ¡ ¡ Ghost who haunts building William’s love “pines away” = broken heart

Conflicts: l 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: l “Love makes one accomplish great things” l “Love survives time and death” l “Love conquers all”

Literary Elements l Point of view – 3 rd person l Foreshadowing – ¡ “the bell tinkled its tiny warning” ¡ “No one is allowed to stay in the building after 5 pm” ¡ Fire escape, harp, bike l Situational Irony – The ghosts haunt the building for 50 years, but they never meet