The Elevator: Play Guide and Free Edition
The Elevator: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
The Elevator is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Howells, William Dean (1837–1920).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Elevator" by William Dean Howells is a farce that showcases the dynamics of social interactions during a Christmas dinner in an apartment hotel setting, written in the early 20th century. The play unfolds against the backdrop of a delayed familial gathering, with the main characters anxiously awaiting the arrival of Mrs. Roberts’s Aunt Mary, only to find themselves embroiled in a series of humorous misadventures revolving around the hotel’s elevator. The situations provoke themes of social norms, relationships, and the discomforts of urban living, highlighting a blend of comedy and the mild absurdities of life. In this light-hearted play, the story is propelled by the anxiety of Mrs. Roberts and her husband, Mr. Roberts, as they prepare for a Christmas dinner that becomes a comedic event due to a series of delays. As guests, including Dr. Lawton, Mrs. Miller, and a host of others arrive, it quickly becomes apparent that several key attendees, including Aunt Mary, are stuck in the very elevator meant to transport them. The various characters display a mix of impatience, humor, and absurdity as they navigate their unconventional predicament, including attempts to communicate and devise a plan for rescue. Ultimately, the play culminates in the successful and humorous release of the trapped guests, reinforcing notions of human connection amidst chaos while blending witty dialogue with comical scenarios that reflect the social mores of the time.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The Elevator
- Author credits: Howells, William Dean (1837–1920)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- American drama -- 19th century
- Comedy plays
Gutenberg collections
- Category: American Literature
- Category: Humour
- Category: Plays/Films/Dramas
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.
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