Plot
Who is the protagonist in "The Elevator" by William Sleator?
Martin
How many people could fit on the elevator?
No more than 3 people.
What word means “a climb or upward movement”?
Ascent
How old is Martin?
12 years old
Fill in the blank:
Martin believes that the fat lady is _______ him.
Stalking
When the narrator is initially describing the elevator, this occurs during which part of the plot?
Exposition
How does Martin's father feel about Martin's fears?
He is unsupportive and tells him to grow up.
What word describes a feeling of nervousness, fear, anxiety, concern, or uneasiness?
Apprehensive
What does Martin's injury symbolize?
Vulnerability & weakness
What lesson or theme might readers take from "The Elevator"?
It is better to face your fears than to run from them.
What part of the plot is occurring when Martin fractures his leg?
The rising action
How is the fat lady's hair described in the short story?
Fill in the blank:
The stray dog’s ________ growl warned us not to come any closer.
baleful
During the exposition, Sleator describes the elevator. He writes "Perhaps the problem was the door, which never stayed open quite long enough, and slammed shut with such ominous, clanging finality." This quote is an example of _________?
Imagery
"'Hello, Martin,' she said, laughed, and pushed the Stop button."
What part of the plot does this piece of narration/dialogue come from?
The Climax
Between what 2 floors did Martin fall and fracture his leg?
Floor 16 & Floor 15
Fill in the blank:
The movie’s _________ ending left everyone in the theater silent and sad.
bleak
When Martin asks his father if he has seen the strange fat lady on the elevator, the narrator states "He knew he was probably making a mistake." What does this statement show about Martin & his father's relationship?
His father won't believe and does not take Martin's fears seriously.
Why did William Sleator chose an elevator as the setting for the story?
What occurs during the falling action & resolution of the story?
Readers do not know, since "The Elevator" ends on a cliffhanger.
Readers have to assume what happens between Martin & the fat lady on the elevator.
What are the 2 floors where the fat lady steps onto the elevator with Martin?
Floor 14 and Floor 3
What vocabulary word best fits the story’s tone as the elevator doors close at the end?
Ominous
Who is Terry Ullman and what floor does she live on?
She is the person who Martin's father visits at the end of the story. This results in Martin being on the elevator alone, where he runs into the fat lady again. She lives on the 9th floor.
Martin believes it is a SOCIAL NORM to not stare at other passengers on an elevator. The fat lady does not follow this social norm. What type of conflict would this be considered?
Character VS. Society