How does the short story, "The Elevator" by William Sleator effect Martin's horror reaction?

Answer 1

"The Elevator" by William Sleator is a gripping short story that delves into psychological horror and the fear of confined spaces. In the story, Martin is a young boy who experiences intense fear and discomfort when riding in the elevator, particularly when it stops between floors.

Effect of the Story on Martin's Horror Reaction

1. Amplification of Fear: The story likely amplifies Martin's horror reaction by resonating with his existing fear of elevators. The intense and suspenseful narrative might validate and heighten his fears, making him more apprehensive about using elevators.
2. Validation of Feelings: The story may validate Martin's feelings of fear and anxiety, reinforcing the notion that his fear is legitimate and shared by others. This validation can intensify his horror reaction by affirming the plausibility of his fears.
3. Increased Sensitization: Exposure to the story could sensitize Martin to the horror of being trapped in an elevator, making him more susceptible to fear and anxiety when faced with similar situations in real life.
4. Empathetic Connection: Martin might develop a stronger empathetic connection with the characters in the story, leading to a deeper emotional response and a heightened horror reaction.
5. Triggering of Trauma: If Martin has had a past traumatic experience in an elevator, the story could trigger distressing memories and exacerbate his horror reaction, potentially leading to increased anxiety and fear.

Overall, "The Elevator" by William Sleator likely has a profound impact on Martin's horror reaction, potentially intensifying his fear of elevators and confined spaces due to the relatable and suspenseful nature of the story.

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Answer 2

In "The Elevator", Sleator uses the titular device to illustrate the effect of the uncanny and unknown on the mind of Martin, a boy at the beginning of adolescence. Given that Martin and his father have moved into a new building, we can infer that Martin has experienced changes that have altered his ability to anticipate the future and act or react accordingly. This, coupled with his age and his father's repeated comments about Martin's timidity, suggest that social anxiety is a prevalent feature of the young man's life and provides a strong base upon which Sleator can introduce more sinister aspects of the human condition.

Sleator uses the introduction of the fat lady to incorporate eeriness into the already uncomfortable situation of Martin's daily elevator ride. Her presence is menacing because it is unexplained. Her behavior goes against the grain of what Martin would normally expect when sharing the elevator, and his flight response is challenged by her ability to block his exit with ease. When she shows up again, she learns where he lives without providing any further information about herself, and Martin can perceive that she now has the upper hand. He is trapped by the fat lady, the lack of support from his father, and finally by the consequences of his response to the fear she instills in him. He has arrived at his most dreaded outcome, being trapped with the fat lady in the questionable elevator, by taking all the steps he could to avoid it, perhaps the most frightening realization a person can make.

Answer 3

"The Elevator" by William Sleator shows Martin's raw fear of the uncanny, unheimlich, and the essence of sinister to show an eerie archetypical fear, felt by the unconscious and demonic panic of a young Martin who finally faces the fat, red-headed frightful lady that stalks poor Martin and perversely appears out of nowhere, finally trapping him in an inescapable nightmare of terror. Then, she states: "Hello, Martin," . . . and she pushed the stop button . . . He asks her what does she want from him . . .. Then we identify with Martin's cold fear. There is no escape after he hits her on the head with his crutch, and he is totally alone. He is without his father or the security of a parent. He is without the super-ego, the police, or his abusive father. The sense of fear is the essence of the uncanny.