Give a Character Sketch of Martin, Martin’s Father and The Lady from ICSE Class 10 English Lesson The Elevator
Character Sketch of Martin
Martin is a thin and weak boy of twelve years of age. He has no interest in sports. According to Martin’s father, Martin lacks courage and gets nervous too often. He fears elevators, especially small creaking ones. At school, Martin is bullied by the classmates. Therefore, when a fat lady enters the elevator and stares at Martin, he freaks out. Martin has to face her repeatedly which gives him a nervous breakdown. At last he breaks down, cries and gets fractured when he takes to the stairs to avoid the lady. But when he is left alone in the elevator at the end, it is to be seen how he faces his fears.
Martin’s fears may be due to his emotionless upbringing. His father does not fulfil his requirement of love and care. The scary atmosphere of the old building and the small elevator only doubles up his fears. He is not able to become bold though his father tries to create conditions for him to fight the grim situations by himself.
The Elevator Overview – This is a story of a twelve-year old boy named Martin. Martin is a worrisome and fearful boy who is bullied at school. He is scared of elevators and develops fear of a fat, old woman who stares at him when they are together in the elevator.
Some Questions on Character Sketch of Martin
Q1. How does Martin’s physical appearance support his behaviour?
Q2. What does Martin feel about his father?
Q3. Why is Martin so fearful?
Q4. Is Martin’s fear of the fat woman baseless?
Character Sketch of Martin’s Father
Martin’s father does not have a name in the story, lacks a close bond or friendly relations with his son. He is shown as watching television or feeling concerned about Martin’s infirmities. Though, like an ideal parent, he wants his son to be mentally and physically strong, yet his words of advice fail to help Martin.
Martin’s father scolds Martin for not taking interest in sports. He is concerned about Martin’s skinny and weak body and his being bullied by the boys at school. He is also not happy when Martin discloses his fear of the fat woman in the elevator. So he advises Martin to grow mentally and physically strong and get rid of all fears – real or miaginary.
He is concerned about Martin which is reflected in the ways in which he pokes him to fight the fear by himself. At times, he leaves Martin stranded in the elevator to face the fat woman and overcome the baseless fear. He wants Martin to become strong.
Some Questions on Character Sketch of Martin’s Father
Q1. What should Martin’s father do to help Martin gain courage?
Q2. How does the father contribute to Martin’s cowardice?
Q3. As a parent, is Martin’s father justified?
Q4. Does the father love Martin?
Character Sketch of the Lady
The lady is described as fat, wearing an old green coat that ballooned (swelled out) around her. She has big cheeks and the chin is not defined due to the vast mass of fat on the neck. Her blue eyes are tiny but sharp. Whenever she looks at Martin, it seems that her eyes are drilling deep into his face.
The woman is so voluminous that she takes up the entire space in the tiny lift which forces Martin to squeeze into a corner. She stares at Martin which scares him. He wants to run away as soon as he sees her. Martin feels that he is trapped in the small lift, with the huge woman inside it.
He is so scared of her that in order to avoid her, he takes to the stairs and breaks his leg.
The manner of her looking at Martin is just like the act of bullying which Martin has to face at school. Martin tries to evade her but she is always around when he travels in the elevator.
It is not clear if she is a resident of the same building or a visitor. Martin is also confused because she alights and leaves the lift at different floors.
Some Questions on Character Sketch of the Lady
Q1. Why does the fat woman stare at Martin and laugh at him?
Q2. Is the woman at fault?
Q3. Describe the woman’s appearance.
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