The Elevator Short story by William Sleator In

“The Elevator” Short story by William Sleator

In the first paragraph, Sleator identifies an old building (probably a high-rise) with a small elevator described as ominous. This adds to the tone (feeling you get) and the suspense. Exposition: Setting

Martin is a thin, twelve-year-old (written out and with hyphens) boy. He lives on the 17 th floor of the building, and he gets bullied at school and is picked last for teams. He is uncomfortable in elevators. Exposition: Character(s)

Martin’s father obviously thinks he is a coward. External conflict

Martin has a fear of being trapped in an elevator by himself. He is also very uncomfortable when people are in the elevator with him. Internal conflict

The fat lady is introduced when she gets on the elevator at the fourteenth floor. She wears a green coat and dirty sneakers. She is so large that she fills the elevator by herself. She stares directly at Martin. Rising action begins

Martin develops a fear of the fat lady. He frantically tries to figure out who she is and why she is in the building. Rising action continues

Martin can’t decide whether he should ride the elevator or take the stairs. The elevator means facing the fat lady; the stairs mean facing his father and his weakness. Internal conflict

The fat lady gets on the next time at the third floor and goes up to the eighteenth. Martin can’t figure out why. He worries about what would happen if the elevator got stuck. He wants to get off but thinks he can’t get past her. Rising action continues

Martin asks his father about the fat lady. His father accuses him of being afraid. External conflict

The fat lady meets him the next time on his floor, so Martin decides to take the stairs. He falls and fractures his leg. Now he is forced to take the elevator. Rising action continues

When they get home, Martin rides the elevator with his father who gets off at the ninth floor. At the tenth floor, the elevator stops and the fat lady gets on. She calls him by name and pushes the STOP button. Climax

Point of view: Third person (narrator is NOT in the story) Theme: It is better to face your fears Irony: Martin is more worried about displeasing his father than being honest with himself. His fear of elevators ends up being the thing that gets him. Other elements…

The author chooses not to resolve the story. He doesn’t tell us how the conflict between Martin and the fat lady is resolved. (No) Resolution