The Elevator by William Sleator How do you

The Elevator by William Sleator

• How do you feel about riding in elevators? • Why do some people dislike it? • How do people usually stand when they get in an elevator?

What do we learn about Martin? • It was an old building with an old elevator – a very small elevator, which could carry only three people. Martin, a thin twelveyear-old, felt nervous in it from the first day he and his father moved into the apartment.

How does the writer convey the atmosphere of the elevator? • Perhaps this was because of the poor lighting and the dirty walls. Perhaps it was because of the door, which never stayed open long enough, and slammed shut with a loud clanging noise. Perhaps it was the way the elevator shuddered each time it left a floor, as if it was exhausted. Maybe it was simply too small. It seemed crowded even with only two people in it. personification

Paragraphs 2 -4 • What do we learn about Martin from these paragraphs? – his father likes boys who are strong, brave and good at sports, so Martin is a disappointment – he gets scared easily – he gets bullied at school – he is shy and doesn’t like being in a crowd with other people

Paragraphs 5 -13 • Where did the fat lady get on the lift? – a different floor each time: 14, 3 • Why is the fat lady so scary to Martin? – she takes up all the space – can’t get out without touching her – she stares at him but doesn’t speak – he doesn’t know who she is or where she comes from – she is always in the lift alone with Martin

Paragraphs 14 -15 • What does Martin’s father say that shows us how he feels about his son? – “When are you going to grow up and act like a man? Are you going to be timid all your life? ” • How do you feel about Martin’s father? • The fat lady smiled when she saw Martin. What kind of smile do you think that was?

Paragraphs 16 -20 • How does Martin feel at the end of paragraph 15? Why? – he feels safe because his father is with him in the lift • What changes in the next paragraph? – his father gets out to go and visit someone • Why is Martin even weaker this time? – he has a broken leg

Questions for discussion • Who or what do you think the fat lady could be? • What do you think will happen to Martin? • How do you feel about the behaviour of Martin’s father? • What do you think happened to Martin and his father in the past?