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How far should one go to pursue a dream? How far should one go to pursue a dream that is

not even their own? In the short story, “The Bicycle” by Jillian Horton, Hannah, a fifteen year-old

girl, is a very talented young pianist. Her aunt, Tante Rose, had always planned to be a famous

pianist, but her plans screeched to a halt due to an injury. Tante Rose never got over this fact, so

to fulfill her dreams; she decides to make Hannah into an amazing pianist for her own selfish

reasons. Whether Hannah wants to or not, she has to practice the piano for hours at a time, several

nights a week. Throughout this story, Horton effectively connects the reader to the characters, and

makes the reader develop feelings for them, as well as provide a well-organized plot and a strong

theme.

There are several important elements in this short story, but the most essential component is

the characters. The main character is a fifteen year-old girl named Hannah. Hannah is a devoted

young lady, who appears to be very mature and eager to please. Hannah’s devotion is shown

when she reveals, “When I was fourteen, I moved in to share Tante Rose’s apartment. The move

would allow me to devote all my free time to my studies in piano” (Horton 33). At this point in

her life, she believed that Tante Rose knew best, and she did not want to disappoint her.

However, after a year of living by Tante Rose’s rules, Hannah’s personality changes, and she

becomes a rebellious teenager who wants to fulfill her own dreams instead of someone else’s.
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Hannah decides to go against Tante Rose’s rules and ride a bicycle, and this event greatly affects

the lives of the characters and brings about many changes. Tante Rose, Hannah’s aunt, also has a

major role in this story. At first, Tante Rose comes across as determined and generous because

she brings Hannah into her home, and devotes her life to helping Hannah become an excellent

musician. Readers begin to believe this when Tante Rose says to Hannah’s parents. “Don’t worry

about Hannah. I will see that she gets all she needs in this life. I will take care of her” (Horton

34). However, the side of Tante Rose that is not so selfless is soon discovered. It becomes clear

that Tante Rose is trying to live her dreams through Hannah, and in order to do this, she makes

Hannah practice the piano extensively. She does not allow Hannah see friends outside of school,

have fun, or even do her homework at night because she could be practicing piano instead. Due to

a career-ending injury of her own, Tante Rose also fears that Hannah will ride a bicycle and

injure herself. She imposes her fear on Hannah, and therefore, Hannah is absolutely forbidden to

ride a bicycle. After living such a sheltered life, Hannah feels the need to rebel by riding a

bicycle. If Tante Rose had not been so hard on Hannah, and had let her act like a normal teenager,

Tante Rose and Hannah’s relationship would have been better, and Hannah probably would have

respected Tante Rose’s rules better. Horton uses develops the characters in this story well, and

makes the plot revolve around them.

This short story has one main event which occurs when Hannah rebels against Tante Rose’s

rules and rides a bicycle behind her back. Hannah chooses to ride a bicycle because she wants to

be at least a little bit like her friends who ride their bicycles with their hair streaming out behind

them. Also, Hannah wanted to prove that she had at least a little control over her own life.

Hannah’s decision did not come without careful planning, however. Hannah planned to take her

brother’s bicycle on the path by the river, so as not to be caught by Tante Rose or her parents.

The reader first discovers that Hannah is serious about riding a bicycle when she says, “By my

fifteenth birthday, I was obsessed with riding a bicycle” (Horton 35). Soon after Hannah
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confesses this, she got a chance to put her plan into action. When Tante Rose sent her to her

parents’ house, she took advantage of this opportunity and took the bicycle out on the path.

Hannah thought that her plan was foolproof, but as she was riding the bicycle, a neighbour

snapped a picture of her. The picture ended up making the front page of the newspaper, and when

Tante Rose discovered what Hannah had done, she was unquestionably furious. Hannah tries to

apologize, but Tante Rose throws Hannah out by saying, “Go home Hannah. You cannot stay

with me any more” (Horton 38). Hannah’s choice to ride the bicycle notably changes the

relationship between her and Tante Rose. Tante Rose seems to ruin Hannah’s love of the piano so

much that Hannah decides not to go to New York to become a pianist, like originally planned.

However, as Hannah grows older, she understands why Tante Rose was hard on her. If Tante

Rose had of backed off, let Hannah become her own person, and not set such high expectations,

Hannah most likely would have continued to live and practice with her. The author’s aim is to

make the reader understand Hannah’s situation through the events that occur in the story.

The whole theme of this story is choices, and the consequences of those choices. Hannah

makes a few choices in this story, but the one that really impacts her life is her choice to ride the

bicycle. The theme really shows through when Hannah asks, “But Tante Rose, why does it matter

that I rode a bicycle?” To that, Tante Rose answers, “It matters that you should take foolish risks.

When God gives you a gift you cherish it. You showed me today that you do not cherish yours”

(Horton 38). Tante Rose gets very angry at Hannah’s choice, and when she says that, Hannah

realizes the consequences of her actions. Hannah becomes aware that with every choice, there are

consequences. In this case, the consequences are that she is no longer able to live with Tante

Rose. There is also one other major decision that Hannah makes: she refuses the plane tickets to

New York. By doing so, she jeopardizes her future as a pianist and a potential career in music. If

Hannah had not of made these choices, Hannah’s relationship with Tante Rose would not have

changed in such a bad way. Hannah’s decisions play a major role in how this story develops.
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In conclusion, this is a very well-written story, both interesting and creative. Horton brings

the characters, plot and theme together in a unique way, as well as providing an important

message to readers. The author makes the readers understand Hannah’s problems, and makes

them feel sorry for her. The author also keeps readers thinking about the story even after they

have finished it. Who would be selfish enough to force a child to fill such high expectations?