The Wheels of Chance by H.G. Wells

“The Wheels of Chance,” written by H.G. Wells and published in 1895, is a humorous novel that captures the essence of a late Victorian cycling adventure. The story follows Mr. Hoopdriver, a humble draper’s assistant, as he embarks on a cycling tour along the Southern Coast of England. Through his eyes, Wells provides a satirical glimpse into the aspirations and social dynamics of the time.

Plot Summary

Mr. Hoopdriver, the draper’s assistant, had spent much of his life behind the counter of Antrobus & Co., folding linens, and attending to customers in Putney. His days were consumed by the monotony of measuring fabric and offering polite, mechanical responses. Yet within this unremarkable existence, a spark of rebellion smoldered. He yearned for a life beyond the drapery shop—a life of adventure and freedom. He had recently discovered a passion for cycling, albeit an awkward and clumsy one. Every evening, after the shop closed, he would take his bicycle to the quiet roads and practice with determination, earning a fair share of bruises and scrapes in the process.

With a holiday approaching, Hoopdriver made a bold decision. He would set out on a cycling tour along the Southern Coast, leaving behind his life of servitude to embrace the open road. The prospect of adventure thrilled him, and he imagined himself transformed into a gentleman of leisure, roaming the countryside with the wind in his hair. His mind brimmed with images of himself as a daring explorer, each turn of the pedal carrying him further from the mundane.

The morning of his departure arrived, and Hoopdriver felt a rush of exhilaration as he donned his new brown cycling suit. He mounted his bicycle and set off with a sense of purpose. His initial attempts at cycling were shaky at best, his progress marked by swerves and near falls. The road from Roehampton to Putney Hill became his proving ground, a place where he wrestled with his lack of skill and balance. But each tumble only fueled his determination. He was on a quest, not just through the English countryside, but through the unknown territories of his own courage and resolve.

As Hoopdriver journeyed onward, he encountered a variety of characters that colored his adventure. Among them was a young lady in grey who instantly captivated him. She cycled with an elegance and confidence that left him in awe. She was the embodiment of independence, a symbol of everything Hoopdriver admired but felt he could never attain. She rode past him effortlessly, a flash of grey and a hint of a smile, and in that moment, Hoopdriver’s journey took on a new meaning. He was not just escaping the drapery; he was pursuing a dream, a vision of freedom and self-assurance that the young lady in grey represented.

Their paths crossed again and again, each encounter leaving Hoopdriver more enchanted and more self-conscious. He found himself wrestling with his own inadequacies, his mind a swirl of admiration and self-doubt. He saw himself as her protector, a knight errant in brown, but his bumbling attempts to impress her often led to embarrassment. One day, as he approached a charming stretch of road, he saw her waving a white handkerchief. His heart leaped, imagining she was signaling him, acknowledging his presence.

Determined to show his skill, he pedaled faster, eyes fixed on her figure in the distance. But his excitement got the better of him. His front wheel struck a tin can on the road, and he swerved wildly, losing control. He managed to avoid crashing into her, but instead collided with a wooden fence, toppling over in a heap of limbs and bicycle. Hoopdriver scrambled to his feet, red-faced and breathless, attempting to salvage his dignity as the young lady dismounted and approached him.

She was amused by his clumsy antics, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of concern and mirth. She offered him a piece of sticking plaster for his scraped knuckle, and though Hoopdriver fumbled with words, he felt a glimmer of hope. Perhaps she did not see him as a complete fool. Yet, before he could engage her in more conversation, she was back on her bicycle, gliding away down the road, leaving him with only the memory of her laughter.

The image of the young lady haunted Hoopdriver’s thoughts as he continued on his journey. He imagined grand scenarios in which he would rescue her from danger or impress her with his newfound cycling prowess. Each mile he covered was filled with daydreams of being her equal, a gallant rider in pursuit of more than just the horizon.

As the days passed, a new character entered their story—a man in brown, whose appearance was that of a guardian or perhaps a rival. He seemed to shadow the young lady, his presence a constant reminder of the societal expectations she was trying to escape. Hoopdriver observed their interactions from a distance, his heart stirring with the need to intervene. He had no real plan, no clear idea of how he might help her, but the desire to be her champion grew stronger with every encounter.

The climax of their journey unfolded in a small village, where Hoopdriver found himself caught in a chase. The man in brown had cornered the young lady, and Hoopdriver, fueled by a mix of fear and bravado, rode into the scene. His intervention was neither graceful nor entirely effective, but it was enough to create a diversion. The young lady took the opportunity to escape, and Hoopdriver found himself facing the man in brown.

There was a moment of tense confrontation, where words were exchanged and the nature of the pursuit became clear. The man was not merely a guardian; he was a force of control, determined to dictate the young lady’s path. Hoopdriver, in a rare moment of clarity and courage, stood his ground. His voice trembled, his knees wobbled, but he spoke with a conviction that surprised even himself. He declared the right of every person to choose their own destiny, to seek their own freedom.

The man in brown, taken aback by Hoopdriver’s unexpected defiance, hesitated. Perhaps it was the sight of this ordinary draper’s assistant standing up for something greater than himself, or perhaps it was the resolve in the young lady’s eyes as she watched from a distance. Whatever the reason, the man finally backed down, turning away and leaving them in peace.

In the aftermath, Hoopdriver and the young lady rode together once more, the air between them charged with a new understanding. They had shared an adventure, faced danger, and emerged victorious. As they pedaled through the countryside, they spoke of dreams and aspirations, of lives lived beyond the constraints of society’s expectations. Hoopdriver felt a profound sense of change within himself. He had begun this journey as a timid shop assistant, uncertain and insecure, but now he saw himself in a different light. He was a man who had dared to step out of his comfort zone, to pursue not just a road but an ideal.

Their paths eventually diverged as all journeys must come to an end. The young lady continued onward, her figure a silhouette against the setting sun, while Hoopdriver turned his bicycle back toward the life he had known. Yet, he returned not as the man who had left. He carried with him the memory of the open road, the thrill of the ride, and the image of the young lady in grey. The adventure had changed him, given him a glimpse of what lay beyond the boundaries of his everyday life.

Mr. Hoopdriver returned to Antrobus & Co., to the folds of linen and the humdrum of the drapery trade, but with a spark in his eyes and a newfound confidence in his step. He had tasted freedom, however brief, and the taste of it lingered, sweet and liberating. He knew that he was more than just a draper’s assistant; he was a man who had chased a dream and, for a moment, had caught it.

Main Characters

• Mr. Hoopdriver: A draper’s assistant with dreams of adventure. Despite his initial lack of confidence and cycling skills, he exhibits growth and bravery throughout the story.
• The Young Lady in Grey: A confident and independent woman who captures Hoopdriver’s admiration. She represents the emerging new woman of the late Victorian era.
• The Man in Brown: A mysterious figure who initially appears as a rival but later is revealed to have more complex motives.

Theme

• Adventure and Escapism: Hoopdriver’s journey represents the desire to escape the monotony of everyday life and seek adventure.
• Class and Social Mobility: The novel explores the rigid class structures of Victorian England and Hoopdriver’s attempts to transcend his social status.
• Independence and the New Woman: The young lady in grey embodies the changing roles and independence of women during the late 19th century.
• Humor and Satire: Wells employs humor to critique societal norms and the absurdities of rigid class distinctions.

Writing Style and Tone

H.G. Wells’s writing style in “The Wheels of Chance” is characterized by its humorous and satirical tone. He employs a light, conversational style that draws readers into Hoopdriver’s internal world, filled with self-doubt and grandiose dreams. The narrative often breaks the fourth wall, directly addressing the reader and providing a sense of intimacy and immediacy.

Wells’s use of vivid descriptions and keen social observations enhances the novel’s comedic and critical edge, making it both an entertaining and thought-provoking read. The blend of detailed character studies, engaging dialogues, and reflective monologues contributes to the novel’s enduring charm and relevance.