The Lift by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Name: The Lift
Author: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Flight-Commander Stangate, a war hero, struggles with an inexplicable sense of dread despite his idyllic surroundings and engagement to Mary MacLean. While enjoying a day out, he confides in Mary about his history of premonitions that often precede danger. They decide to visit a tall tower, but the lift they take becomes stuck mid-ascent. As they wait, the passengers, a mix of holidaymakers, engage in light banter, but tension rises when they realize the lift is malfunctioning. Stangate, sensing the urgency, considers jumping to the structure above to investigate. A workman named Jim Barnes, who is responsible for the tower's maintenance, joins them in the lift. He is described as both impressive and unsettling, hinting at a deeper, more sinister nature. Suddenly, Barnes reveals that he has wedged the lift's cable, putting the passengers in grave danger. His erratic behavior and fervent declarations suggest he believes he is enacting a divine judgment. The passengers, including Mary, are terrified as he refuses to remove the wedge, insisting that he is fulfilling a higher purpose. Stangate attempts to reason with Barnes, but the situation escalates as the lift's cable begins to snap one by one. The passengers, gripped by fear, look to Stangate for leadership. He rallies them to break free from the lift, urging them to kick down the walls. In a desperate act, they manage to escape just as Barnes leaps across to confront them, ultimately falling to his demise as the lift crashes. The ordeal leaves the survivors shaken but alive, with Stangate reflecting on the close call and the nature of fear and courage in the face of madness.

By Sir Arthur Conan Doyle · First published 1911 · Genre: Thriller, Psychological Fiction, Adventure · 6,120 words

First lines

Flight-Commander Stangate should have been happy. He had come safely through the war without a hurt, and with a good name in the most heroic of services. He had only just turned thirty, and a great career seemed to lie ahead of him. Above all, beautiful Mary MacLean was walking by his side, and he had her promise that she was there for life. What could a young man ask for more? And yet there was a heavy load upon his heart.

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The Lift is listed on Textopian as a novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, dated 1911 CE.

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Work type: Novel
Author: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Date: 1911 CE
Language: English
Genres: Thriller, Psychological Fiction, Adventure, Drama, Mystery
Length: 6,120 words
Structure: 1 section, 136 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

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Discussion starters

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How does this novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Thriller first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Thriller — The plot centers around a life-threatening situation involving a madman and a group of people trapped in a lift, creating suspense and tension.
Psychological Fiction — The story explores the psychological state of the characters, particularly the antagonist's madness and the protagonist's internal struggles.
Adventure — The setting involves a perilous ascent in a lift, leading to a dramatic confrontation that embodies elements of adventure.
Drama — The interactions and emotional responses of the characters in a crisis highlight dramatic themes of fear, love, and survival.