“Sonata for Harp and Bicycle” (1958)

1. “Sonata for Harp and Bicycle” (1958) by Joan Aiken (1924-2004) page 46

2. “Aiken suggests a musical structure that will, like a sequence of chords, be resolved harmoniously at the end” (45). • sonata • (n.) a musical composition in several movements, or parts; often written for solo piano or for piano and another instrument.

3. vocabulary • encroaching: adj. intruding • tantalizing: adv. in a teasing way • furtive: adj. sneaking; hidden • menacing: adj. threatening • reciprocate: v. return • preposterous: adj. contrary to common sense as to laughable; absurd and ridiculous • copy: n. Text of a print, radio, or television advertising message that aims at catching and holding the interest of the prospective buyer, and at persuading him or her to make a purchase all within a few short seconds

4. As you read… • Make a prediction as to what happens after Jason first entered Grimes Buildings and heard a bicycle bell? • Take notes regarding: • Setting (#4) • Main and minor characters • their development & personality traits (#5) • Conflicts (central conflict, as well as minor conflicts) (#6) • Passages that contribute to the mood of the story (#8) • Tone (#9) • Theme (#7)

5. Generalize • What lesson does William Heron’s death teach about the danger of making rash decisions? (THEME)

6. Recall – Take NOTES on back side • 1. What is Jason Ashgrove’s job? • A copywriter-- He writes advertisements for an advertising company. • 2. What does Jason find the first time he goes back into the building after five? • Jason meets the ghost of William Heron—the Wailing Watchman • 3. How does Miss Golden know that Jason had been in The Grimes Building after 5 o’clock? • His hair has turned gray • 4. What happens in the beginning of the story that makes the reader think that something strange is going on? • Strange messages announced over the loudspeaker • 5. Why must everyone leave The Grimes Building at exactly 5 o’clock? • Building is haunted and it is believed that whoever sees the ghost is cursed

7. Discussion (cont.) • 6. Which words tell the reader that Jason is staring at a ghost? • “He was looking into two eyes carved out of expressionless air; he was held by two hands knotted together out of the width of dark” (Aiken 51). • 7. Why is it important that Jason and Miss Golden resolve the problem of the Wailing Watchman? • It is believed that anyone who sees the ghost will die within five days– Jason saw the ghost • 8. What is the best meaning of the following sentence: “Darkness infested the building like a flight of bats returning willing to roost” (Aiken 47)? • It became dark in the building very quickly. (roost = settle, infested = invaded)

8. Infer • Who is more worried about the curse– Jason or Miss Golden? Explain. What evidence is there to support your answer?

9. Literary Analysisplot, foreshadowing, suspense • Identify two examples of the use of foreshadowing. Be sure to include quotation marks and cite the page number: (Aiken #) “What do you want for your birthday, Miss Golden? Sherry? Fudge? Bubble bath?” “I want to go away with a clear conscience about Oat Crisps,” Miss Golden retorted. It was not true; what she chiefly wanted was Mr. Jason Ashgrove, but he had not realized this yet?” (Aiken 48) • What possibility does the passage foreshadow? • Do you think the story will make clear whether or not Miss Golden and Mr. Ashgrove have a romance? • Read the following passage and write the words from the passage that make you curious about the outcome: Jason was frustrated. “You’ll be sorry,” he said. “I shall do something desperate.” “Oh, no, you mustn’t!” Her eyes were large with fright. She ran from the room and was back within a couple of moments, still drying her hands. “If I took you out for coffee, couldn’t you give me just a tiny hint?” Side by side Miss Golden and Mr. Ashgrove ran along the green-floored passages, battled down the white marble stairs among the hundred other employees from the tenth floor, the nine hundred from the floors below. (Aiken 49) • Identify two passages that create suspense in the reader. Be sure to include quotation marks and cite the page number: (Aiken #)

10. With your partner… • Complete the PLOT Diagram for the story… • You must work together, discussing each part of the PLOT. • You MUST include the PAGE NUMBER for each event that you plot of the diagram. • Do NOT use the “divide and conquer” approach to completing this diagram. • HINT: It is easier to identify exposition, conflict, climax and resolution first– and then fill in exposition, rising action, and falling action afterward. • Identify the event that marks the climax. (PLOT) • Jason places a bottle of wine and some roses in the room where the two ghosts are supposed to meet… (Aiken 55).

11. PLOT • Exposition: • Jason Ashgrove, Miss Golden (Berenice) • Ghosts of William Heron & Daisy Bell • London, Grimes Building; late 1950s, Fall (October-eve of Halloween) • Copywriters for Advertising Agency (Morton Wold); Working on Oat Crisps Ad; Bernice has crush on J • Conflict: • Everyone must leave the Grimes Building by 5 o’clock pm each day... Jason wants to know why, but no one will tell him because he is a new employee • Rising Action: • Jason hears hints about the Grimes Building (harp & bicycle); Jason enters the building and meets ghost of Heron; • Jason is cursed; Berenice tells Jason why Heron & Daisy haunt the building; J & B plan to hopefully reunite the two ghosts • Climax: • Jason places a bottle of wine and some roses in the room where the two ghosts are supposed to meet... • Falling Action: • The two ghosts are reunited– Jason and Berenice see the bicycle, harp, roses, and bottle wine leave the room; Jason, holding Berenice, jumps off of the fire escape using a parachute • Resolution: • The curse on Jason is broken; presumed that Jason and Berenice live “happily ever after”