60 pages • 2 hours read
Pam Muñoz RyanRiding Freedom
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1998A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Character Analysis
Charlotte “One-eyed Charley” Parkhurst
Charlotte, the novel’s protagonist, is an orphan who manages to escape cruel conditions and become a renowned stagecoach driver in an era when women were not allowed to vote or do “men’s” work. She survives multiple fevers as a baby and a wagon crash that kills both of her parents. She is immediately introduced as a survivor who overcomes the hardships thrown at her. Charlotte is depicted as being unlike other girls through traits that contrast with traditional femininity. She never owns a doll or hosts a tea party, she can’t sew, and she wouldn’t know a petticoat if she saw one. Her wild hair and untied ribbons reflect her tomboyish attitude and appearance. The fact that her “frock was too big and hung like a sack on her small frame” (5) further emphasizes how ill-suited she is to fulfill traditional gender roles.
Charlotte is concerned with justice from an early age. She understands that Mrs. Boyle treats her unfairly simply because she is a girl. She defends Hayward from the bully William. She knows that Mr. Millshark is a hypocrite who exploits the orphans. She is powerfully skilled in horse racing but is denied the opportunity because Mr. Millshark is an unfair man. Charlotte has an intense desire to protect herself from injustice and to achieve her goals. She disguises herself as a boy for protection, but the freedom and opportunities she experiences as “Charley” are far superior to her life as an orphaned girl, so she has no incentive to take off the disguise. She is less concerned with being male or female than doing whatever it takes to protect and support herself. Her life as Charley comments on the historical setting and political discourse of America in the 1800s: Charlotte has a natural talent for working with horses that is disallowed by society because of her sex. Her only recourse is to give up her talents and dreams or come up with a creative solution that allows her to continue working with horses. Living in disguise as a man, doing men’s work, and taking the risk of voting in disguise takes an enormous amount of bravery and perseverance.
Ebeneezer Balch
Ebeneezer is a tough but kind man who plays an integral role in Charlotte’s development. He understands almost immediately that Charley is a disguise meant to protect Charlotte, and he supports her in this lifestyle. After meeting Mr. Millshark, Ebeneezer recognizes that Charlotte is not safe. Having lost his own daughter who was also naturally gifted with horses, Ebeneezer takes special care to protect Charlotte. Ebeneezer personifies empathy. He provides the patient, firm guidance that a father figure might have and helps Charlotte develop her natural talents and work ethic. He rewards her for her success as a driver and treats her as a member of his family. Together they build a successful stagecoach company, as Ebeneezer relies on Charlotte’s famous driving to retain business, and she relies on him for security, stability, and love. When Charlotte leaves for California, Ebeneezer expresses fatherly concern but ultimately supports her in following her heart. Ebeneezer becomes Charlotte’s adoptive father, and they fill the holes in each other’s lives.
Vern
Vern works at the orphanage caring for the horses. He is an older African American man who escaped slavery by running from the South, most likely using the underground railroad. He is kind and patient, and gentle with the animals. He believes that names hold power and that horses are fine animals that should be treated with respect. In contrast with Mr. Millshark and the mean boys at the orphanage, Vern shows Charlotte an example of masculinity that is strong without being cruel. He teaches her how to care for horses and helps her learn to ride. He is an integral part of her development both as a person and a rider. Vern is Charlotte’s first mentor and teaches her life lessons through storytelling. It is his own story of successfully escaping slavery that inspires Charlotte to run away from the orphanage. His kind words and supportive nature help give Charlotte the confidence she needs to successfully flee.
Hayward
Hayward, or Hay, is younger than Charlotte and also an orphan. Hay has red hair and very large ears. He is an outsider who doesn’t fit in with the other boys. Where Charlotte is reserved and quiet, Hay is outgoing and talkative. Together they make a balanced pair. Hay dreams of owning a ranch with Charlotte and helping her with the horses. He is adopted by a kind married couple and leaves Charlotte behind at the orphanage. Hayward is true to his word and writes letters to Charlotte, supporting her through his unwavering friendship. When they are finally reunited, Hayward is the same chatty, loveable young man. He does not shy away from Charlotte, even though she lives in disguise as a man and plans to break the law by voting even though she is a woman.
Hay’s character serves to contrast with Charlotte. They come from the same humble beginnings, but to pursue their common interest of driving horses, and to take advantage of simple rights like owning property and voting, Charlotte must disguise herself as a man. While Hay agrees that Charlotte deserves the same rights and that women should be allowed to vote, Hay doesn’t have to take any risks to enjoy the freedoms that she desires. Hay loves Charlotte and wants her to be with him, but being with Hay would mean giving up all that she has worked for and earned. Hay represents another kind of life, one where Charlotte might be married and have children with the man she loves—a life she must give up to pursue her dream of owning a ranch and voting in an election.
Mr. Millshark
Mr. Millshark is the overseer of the orphanage where Charlotte grows up. He is the antagonist because he actively works against Charlotte. He is described as scowling and mean. When the children from his orphanage participate in horse races, he uses it as an opportunity to present the orphanage as a healthy, happy place. In reality, he uses the children as unpaid workers and treats them poorly. Mr. Millshark is one dimensional, never showing any signs of kindness or emotional growth. Charlotte lives in fear of him even after she runs away and grows up because she believes he is cruel enough to reveal her identity out of spite.
Mrs. Boyle
Mrs. Boyle is the only female with whom Charlotte spends time after losing her parents. She treats Charlotte like a servant, forcing her to do all the kitchen work so she doesn’t have to. She hides Charlotte in the potato bin when adoptive parents tour the orphanage so that Charlotte will not be adopted. It is no surprise that Charlotte prefers to identify with the boys and Vern to avoid the traditional female role that Mrs. Boyle represents.
Margaret
Margaret is a widow who must support herself after her husband dies and leaves her with a mortgage. She represents a different kind of femininity, a stark contrast to Mrs. Boyle. Like Charlotte, Margaret is creative and maximizes her limited opportunities to try to make money. She is kind and hardworking. Margaret and Charlotte form a strong partnership in which Charlotte takes on her preferred tasks while Margaret tends to the chickens and cooks and cleans. As a widow, Margaret paints a stark picture of how limiting a woman’s life could be in the 1800s.
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By Pam Muñoz Ryan
