The Elevator

Name: The Elevator
Author: William Dean Howells

By William Dean Howells

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Humour Plays/Films/Dramas

About This Book

This play stages a short farce in a hotel drawing-room where a hostess prepares a formal Christmas dinner and guests arrive late, early, or unexpectedly, prompting polite anxieties and comic misunderstandings. Characters juggle appearances, seating, and social niceties while interruptions at the door escalate the awkwardness. Through situational mishaps and banter, the piece lightly satirizes manners and ceremonial domestic life, showing how trivial vanities and timing can undo carefully maintained decorum.

About the Author

William Dean Howells

William Dean Howells (1837-1920) was an influential American author and literary critic, often regarded as the "Dean of American Letters." He is best known for his realistic portrayals of American life and society, particularly in the late 19th century. Howells's works often explore themes of social class and morality, reflecting the complexities of contemporary life. His notable novel, "A Hazard of New Fortunes," delves into the challenges faced by individuals in a rapidly changing society. Throughout his career, Howells contributed significantly to the development of realism in American literature, advocating for a more truthful representation of everyday experiences.