the lady or the tiger argumentative essay

“The Lady, or the Tiger?” by Frank Stockton Essay

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Introduction

Works cited.

The dilemma of a difficult and dramatic moral choice has long been known to captivate the human mind, and writers know this well. The short story The Lady or the Tiger? By Frank R. Stockton is a perfect example of an almost quintessential dilemma on the most thrilling of choices: the one which involves love and death. The story is set in an unspecified land ruled by a semi-barbaric king and describes a peculiar legal procedure invented by him based on his own understanding of justice: an arena where the convicts are tried. Instead of the trial by battle, the accused are offered to choose one of two doors: behind one, a fierce tiger awaits to kill the unfortunate human, and behind the other – salvation in the form of a lady who would become his wife.

However, once the lover of the king’s daughter is given the dreadful choice, the princess secretly interferes with the chance and gives the man a hint to open the door on the right. And while it is tempting and comforting to consider the possibility of her sparing his life instead of directing him to his death, upon closer inspection there is little doubt that she has guided him to the tiger.

It is tempting to imagine that she wanted to save him. But this version is mostly driven by the reader’s humanity. The text, on the other hand, offers little backing to the happy ending. We know that the princess loves the man dearly. We also witness her hesitation at the end of the story. She hesitates to imagine the “cruel fangs of the tiger” (4).

However, these are not her thoughts. Instead, they are speculations by the author. And this short part is the only proof of her compassion. She is passionate, there is no doubt about it. But her passion is burning, not heart-warming. She is determined, but mostly for her own sake, not for him.

On the other hand, her barbaric nature is prominent throughout the story. She is resolute about making things go her way. For instance, she obtains the secret of the doors with “gold, and the power of a woman’s will” (3). A whole paragraph is devoted to her anguish and jealousy triggered by other girl’s mere glances at her man. She thinks he even returns them. However, she acknowledges that all this may exist only in her imagination.

Besides, she did not come to the trial to support the man – she was “terribly interested” (3). There is even a phrase “She had lost him, but who should have him?” (4). It clearly shows that for her there is no happy ending. She does not show any respect for his life. In her eyes, the choice is between redemption and a tantalizing “justice”. The latter will become the salvation to him and the torture to her.

The princess is truly the daughter of a barbaric king. She displays all the features that suggest power, determination, calculation, and passion. It is humanity and compassion that she is lacking, at least on the pages of the story. But power and courage are not enough to overcome the desire for vengeance if the heart lacks warmth. If by any chance it was the lady whom the man found behind the right door, it could be only by chance or a momentary burst of passion. If on the other hand, the princess acted upon a long-thought-out decision (and we are told by the author that she did), there is little doubt which decision it was: the tiger.

Stockton, Frank. The Lady or the Tiger? , 1882. Web.

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“The Lady or the Tiger?” by Frank R. Stockton: A Critical Analysis

“The Lady or the Tiger?” by Frank R. Stockton first appeared in The Century Magazine in 1882. This captivating story presents a unique form of justice.

Introduction: “The Lady or the Tiger?” by Frank R. Stockton

Table of Contents

“The Lady or the Tiger?” by Frank R. Stockton first appeared in The Century Magazine in 1882. This captivating story presents a unique form of justice – a young man accused of a crime must choose between two doors. Behind one, a ferocious tiger awaits. Behind the other, a beautiful lady stands ready to be his bride. The tale’s brilliance lies in its ambiguous ending, where the reader must decide the young man’s fate. The story’s exploration of love, justice, and the unpredictable nature of choice has inspired debates and analysis for over a century, making it a true classic of American literature.

Main Events in “The Lady or the Tiger?” by Frank R. Stockton

The king’s twisted justice.

• A “semi-barbaric” king, fascinated by spectacle, designs a unique system of justice (“poetic justice”). An accused criminal faces two identical doors in his grand arena.
• Behind one door, a vicious tiger awaits, ready to punish the guilty (“…a hungry tiger, the fiercest and most cruel that could be procured…”).
• Behind the other, a carefully selected maiden stands, a reward for the innocent (“…the most suitable to his years and station…”).

Love and Transgression

• The king’s own passionate daughter falls for a handsome young man of lower status, a grave offense in their society.
• The king, unwavering in his ideals, casts the lover into prison and sets a date for his trial in the arena.

The Secret of the Doors

• The princess, consumed by love and jealousy, refuses to be a passive observer. Using her power and resources, she discovers the secret of the doors.
• She learns which door conceals the tiger and which holds a beautiful maiden, a rival for her lover’s affection (“…one of the fairest and loveliest of the damsels of the court…”).

The Fateful Moment

• On the day of the trial, the young man looks to the princess, knowing she has the power to save or condemn him (“…his eye met hers as she sat there, paler and whiter than anyone…”).
• With a subtle gesture, the princess guides his choice (“She raised her hand, and made a slight, quick movement toward the right.”).

The Unsolved Riddle

• The young man, trusting the woman he loves, confidently opens the indicated door.
• The story abruptly ends, leaving the reader with the burning question: Did he meet the lady or the tiger?

The Princess’s Dilemma

• The reader must grapple with the princess’s tortured heart. Would she choose to save the man she loves but see him married to another, or would her jealousy propel him towards a gruesome death? The story offers no easy answers.

Literary Devices in “The Lady or the Tiger?” by Frank R. Stockton

• Allusion : A reference to a well-known person, place, or thing in history, literature, or culture. In “”The Lady or the Tiger?””, an allusion is made to the “barbaric” traditions of ancient cultures.
• Ambiguity : The use of language that has multiple possible meanings, leading to uncertainty or confusion. The ending of “”The Lady or the Tiger?”” is ambiguous, leaving the reader to decide what happens next.
• Characterization: The process of creating and developing a character in a story. The characters in “”The Lady or the Tiger?”” are well-developed and distinct, with the princess being a particularly complex character.
• Conflict : The struggle between opposing forces that drives a story’s plot. The central conflict in “”The Lady or the Tiger?”” is the young man’s trial and the dilemma of whether to choose the door with the lady or the tiger.
• Flashback : A narrative device that interrupts the chronological sequence of events to present an earlier scene. “”The Lady or the Tiger?”” includes a brief flashback to the trial of another man accused of a crime.
• Foreshadowing : The use of hints or clues in the narrative to suggest what will happen later. The princess’s jealous and possessive nature foreshadows the possibility that she may have chosen the door with the tiger.
• Hyperbole : The use of exaggerated language to create emphasis or effect. The description of the young man’s love for the princess as a “monstrous” passion is an example of hyperbole.
• Imagery : The use of descriptive language to create mental images or sensory experiences for the reader. The descriptions of the young man’s trial and the arena are rich in sensory imagery.
• Irony : The use of language or situations that are contrary to what is expected or intended. The irony of “”The Lady or the Tiger?”” lies in the fact that the young man’s fate depends entirely on chance, rather than the justice he expects.
• Metaphor : A figure of speech that describes something as if it were something else. The description of the princess’s heart as a “wild animal” is a metaphor.
• Personification : A figure of speech in which an inanimate object or abstract idea is given human qualities. The description of the arena as a “monster” that the young man must face is an example of personification.
• Point of view : The perspective from which a story is told. “”The Lady or the Tiger?”” is told from a third-person omniscient point of view, allowing the reader access to the thoughts and feelings of multiple characters.
• Setting : The time and place in which a story takes place. The setting of “”The Lady or the Tiger?”” is a kingdom with a unique and unusual justice system.
• Symbolism : The use of objects or images to represent or suggest something else. The doors in “”The Lady or the Tiger?”” are symbolic of the choice between love and death.
• Theme : The underlying message or meaning conveyed by a story. Themes in “”The Lady or the Tiger?”” include the power of choice, the consequences of jealousy, and the limitations of justice.

Characterization in “The Lady or the Tiger?” by Frank R. Stockton

The semi-barbaric king:.

• Exuberant, with a mix of barbaric cruelty and touches of refinement (“…semi-barbaric king, whose ideas…were still large, florid, and untrammeled…”).
• A strong believer in his own sense of justice and fairness (“…an authority so irresistible that, at his will, he turned his varied fancies into facts…”).
• Obsessed with spectacle and the entertainment of his subjects (“But even here the exuberant and barbaric fancy asserted itself…”).
• Unwavering in his adherence to the arena system, even when it affects his own family.

The Princess:

• Possesses her father’s passionate nature (“…as blooming as his most florid fancies, and with a soul as fervent and imperious as his own…”).
• Deeply in love with the young man, defying social norms (“…she loved him with an ardor that had enough of barbarism in it to make it exceedingly warm and strong…”).
• Driven, resourceful, willing to manipulate the system to influence the outcome (“…she had possessed herself of the secret of the doors…”).
• Torn between her love, a desire for revenge, and a fierce jealousy – the central conflict of her character.

The Young Man (The Lover):

• Brave and handsome (“…handsome and brave to a degree unsurpassed in all this kingdom…”).
• Deeply in love with the princess, willing to risk his life for this forbidden relationship.
• Implicitly trusts the princess, even to the point of accepting his own potential doom.

Minor Characters

• The Tiger: A symbol of brutality, punishment, and the potential for gruesome violence.
• The Lady: A potential bride, representing a socially acceptable outcome. However, she is also the object of the princess’s jealousy and remains largely undeveloped.
• The People: The masses who are entertained by the arena’s blend of justice and spectacle, highlighting the societal acceptance of the king’s syste

Major Themes in “The Lady or the Tiger?” by Frank R. Stockton

Writing Style in “The Lady or the Tiger?” by Frank R. Stockton

• Descriptive language and vivid imagery: Stockton paints vivid pictures for the reader, bringing the arena, the king, the princess, and the young man to life through his words.
• Suspenseful narrative structure: The story builds suspense from beginning to end, with the reader eagerly awaiting the accused man’s decision and its dramatic consequences.
• Third-person omniscient point of view: Stockton gives the reader access to the internal thoughts and feelings of the king, the princess, and even the accused, creating a layered and multi-dimensional experience.
• Irony and ambiguity: The story is laced with irony, especially with its ending that intentionally leaves the reader hanging. This open ambiguity forces the reader to grapple with their own internal answers.
• Engaging, imaginative, and thought-provoking: The writing style successfully invites the reader to contemplate not only the story’s events but deeper questions about love, jealousy, justice, and the power of choice.

Literary Theories and Interpretation of “The Lady or the Tiger?” by Frank R. Stockton

• Reader-Response Theory: The reader-response theory focuses on the role of the reader in interpreting a text. In “”The Lady or the Tiger?”” the reader is left to decide the outcome of the story, which allows for a range of interpretations and responses.
• Psychological Criticism: Psychological criticism focuses on the psychological motivations and behavior of the characters in a story. In “”The Lady or the Tiger?””, the princess’s jealousy and the king’s desire for control are examples of how psychological factors influence their actions and decisions.
• Structuralism : Structuralism is a literary theory that emphasizes the underlying structures of a text. In “”The Lady or the Tiger?””, the story’s structure is crucial to its meaning, with the narrative structure of the story mirroring the choice the accused man must make between the two doors.
• Feminist Criticism: Feminist criticism examines the representation of women in literature and seeks to uncover gender-based inequalities and biases. In “”The Lady or the Tiger?””, the princess’s agency is limited by her father’s patriarchal rule, and the story can be read as a critique of the limitations placed on women in a patriarchal society.
• Deconstructionism : Deconstructionism is a literary theory that examines how the meaning of a text is constructed and deconstructed through language. In “”The Lady or the Tiger?””, the ambiguity of the ending allows for multiple interpretations, highlighting the idea that meaning is not fixed or stable, but rather constantly in flux.
• Postcolonial Criticism : Postcolonial criticism examines the relationship between literature and the legacy of colonialism. In “”The Lady or the Tiger?””, the story can be read as an allegory for the imperialist mindset of Western colonial powers, with the king representing the colonizer and the accused man representing the colonized.

Topics, Essay Questions and Thesis Statements about “The Lady or the Tiger?” by Frank R. Stockton

Short Question-Answers about “The Lady or the Tiger?” by Frank R. Stockton

• What is the significance of the princess in “The Lady or the Tiger?” and how does her character challenge traditional gender roles?
• The princess in “The Lady or the Tiger?” is a significant character as she holds the power to determine the accused man’s fate. Her character challenges traditional gender roles by displaying agency and making a difficult decision that ultimately shapes the story’s outcome. In a society where women are expected to be submissive and passive, the princess stands out as a strong and independent character who is not afraid to take matters into her own hands. Her decision to send the accused man to either the tiger or the lady demonstrates her power and influence in a society where women are often marginalized. The princess’s character highlights the importance of challenging gender norms and expectations in order to break free from societal constraints.
• What is the role of choice in “The Lady or the Tiger?”?
• The role of choice in “The Lady or the Tiger?” is a commentary on the complexities of human nature and the consequences of making difficult decisions. The accused man is faced with a life or death situation, and his choice ultimately determines his fate. However, the story suggests that even the princess’s choice is not easy, as she must decide between her love for the accused man and her jealousy towards the lady. The story highlights the unpredictable and often unfair nature of choice, and how it can shape our lives in unexpected ways. It also raises questions about morality and the consequences of our actions, as the outcome of the story hinges on the choices made by the characters.
• How does the structure of the story mirror the choice the accused man must make between the two doors?
• The structure of “The Lady or the Tiger?” mirrors the choice the accused man must make between the two doors, highlighting the theme of the unpredictable and complex nature of choice. The story is divided into two distinct parts, with the first part describing the accused man’s trial and the second part focusing on the princess’s decision. The structure creates a sense of tension and uncertainty as the reader is left to wonder what lies behind each door. The use of suspense and ambiguity in the story’s structure reflects the difficult and often unpredictable nature of the choices we must make in life. The ending, which leaves the reader to decide the outcome, further emphasizes the complexity of choice and the uncertainty of its consequences.
• What is the significance of the ending of “The Lady or the Tiger?” and how does it contribute to the story’s overall meaning?
• The ambiguous ending of “The Lady or the Tiger?” contributes to the story’s overall meaning by highlighting the complexity of human nature and the role of choice in shaping our lives. The reader is left to decide the outcome of the story, with no clear answer provided. This lack of resolution reflects the unpredictable and often unfair nature of choice, and how it can shape our lives in unexpected ways. The ending also raises questions about the morality of the characters’ actions and the consequences of their choices. Ultimately, the story suggests that life is full of difficult choices and uncertain outcomes, and it is up to each individual to navigate these challenges with wisdom and courage.

Literary Works Similar to “The Lady or the Tiger?” by Frank R. Stockton

• “ The Most Dangerous Game ” by Richard Connell: Both stories present a central character confronting a high-stakes, life-or-death scenario governed by chance and external forces. While Stockton focuses on a perversion of justice, Connell’s work explores the dynamics of predator and prey.
• “ The Necklace ” by Guy de Maupassant: This short story shares the theme of an ambiguous, unresolved ending with Stockton’s work. Both explore desire, unforeseen consequences, and the ironic twists of fate that can shape individuals’ lives.
• “The Discourager of Hesitancy” by Frank R. Stockton: As a continuation of “The Lady or the Tiger?”, this story offers further insight into the characters and world of the original. It provides added layers of commentary on the themes presented.
• “ The Lottery ” by Shirley Jackson: Both stories employ ambiguity to expose the potential darkness within seemingly innocuous traditions. They provoke critical thought about social conformity and the potential cruelty present within established systems.
• Sophie’s Choice by William Styron: Although a novel, this work resonates with “The Lady or the Tiger?” in its central focus on a devastating moral dilemma. Like Stockton’s princess, Sophie faces an unthinkable choice, forcing the reader to confront the complexities of human decision-making under harrowing circumstances.

Suggested Readings: “The Lady or the Tiger?” by Frank R. Stockton

• Bander, Elaine. “Stockton’s ‘The Lady, or the Tiger?’ An Unanswerable Question.” Short Story Criticism , edited by Thomas J. Schoenberg and Lawrence J. Trudeau, vol. 105, Gale, 2008, p. 223.
• Gilead, Sarah L. “Magic and Skepticism in ‘The Lady, or the Tiger?'” The Stocktonian , vol. 2, no. 4, 1983, pp. 7-8.
• Marshall, Donald G. “Justice in The Lady, or the Tiger?” The Stocktonian , vol. 8, no. 3, 1989, pp. 4-5.
• “Critical Overview.” The Lady, or the Tiger? – Encyclopedia.com , [invalid URL removed].
• The Stocktonian. Pomerantz Stockton Center at Richard Stockton College of New Jersey. https://library.stockton.edu/UniversityArchives/collections
• Cummins, June. “The Lady Or the Tiger? and Other Logic Puzzles: Including a Mathematical Analysis.” Prometheus Books, 1988.
• Johnson, Gerald W. “The Lady, or the Tiger?” Frank R. Stockton: A Critical Biography. Benjamin Franklin, 1980, pp. 99-107.

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The Lady, or the Tiger? - Study Guide

Talk about a no-win situation: Frank Stockton 's The Lady, or the Tiger? (1882) is a fairy tale and fascinating allegory. We hope our study guide is particularly useful for teachers and students to fully appreciate the story's quandary and its themes. It's a great persuasive writing prompt.

Read the story: The Lady, or the Tiger? , Character Analysis & Summary , Genre & Themes , Literary Devices , Quotes , Discussion Questions , Paired Readings , Useful Links , and Notes/Teacher Comments

Character Analysis & Summary

The King - The semi-barbaric ruler, who enjoys administering justice by chance, in which the person on trial must blindly choose their fate, whether to die or live with a determined outcome.

The Princess - The King's daughter falls in love with a young man, who, once her father learns of their affair, subjects him to a perilous fate in which he must choose one of two doors. Behind one holds a tiger, who will eat him; the other hides a young maiden whom he must marry. The Princess, who is semi-barbaric as is her father, knows which door hides each creature, and signals the young man to pick the door on the right. Will she show her barbaric side (being impetuous and jeolous), or her humane side (allow her lover to live, but be with another). The reader is left to guess her decision.

The Lady - The lovely young maiden who waits behind one of the doors and would be the Young Man's bride if he chooses her door, is hated by the Princess.

Plot Summary : The story is set in a kingdom ruled by a semi-barbaric king, who rules calmly and wisely for certain things, but relishes public trials of chance to administer justice for things he cares about, primarly for his own pleasure.

Genre & Themes

The Lady, or the Tiger? is in the genre of fairy tale, rather than a short story, with the sub-genre of allegory. It has two levels of meaning: the first is the story itself, the second is its symbolic meaning and lessons it offers the reader.

Determinism versus Free Will (alternatively, Fate versus Choice) Since the King presents an out-of-their control, no-win "choice" for the Young Man (determinism), he and the Princess cannot pursue their love for eachother (free will). Ironically, the Princess can exercise free will deciding the fate of her lover, since she knows the secret of what's behind each door and can choose his fate.

Barbarism versus Progressiveness - Stockton emphatically described the King as "semi-barbaric" in his self-serving desires and "exuberant fancy" for public spectacles of cruelty (barbarism). Yet he has a "civilized" side in his commitment to administer justice in an impartial and incorruptible manner by chance, and "develop the mental energies of the people."

Trust versus Betrayal - Though the Princess seems to be deeply in love with the young man, and he trusts her with his life, she is faced with two opposing emotions: jealousy and hatred for the young maiden if her lover survives, or mortal anguish should he be devoured by a Tiger. We learn she has deliberated long and hard over both outcomes. The reader is given more clues that she's leaning towards the Tiger-door option (her barbaric half).

Covet versus True Love - If the reader is pulling for her civilized half, she might opt for the sentimental (butterfly) option: " If you love something, set it free." Wait, would this mean he's "free" to love the maiden? Clearly, it's an unsolvable problem for the Princess, consuming all her energy. Either result is a tragic loss for her. Ironically, the courtier has absolute trust in her decision, whichever it may be.

Literary Devices & Vocabulary

Literary devices.

Suppressed ending : Stockton uses the literary device of supressing the ending to create suspense for the reader, which creates more questions than answers. Just as the Princess deliberates on the "right" choice to guide her lover to his fate, the reader is left guessing, and wresting with terrible outcomes (particularly for the Princess). The problem described in his tale has become a literary expression meaning an unsolvable or impossible problem to solve. " Which will it be, the lady or the tiger? "

Symbols : Stockton writes an allegory, two levels of meaning, in which the deeper level is represented by symbols. The doors represent fate, the tiger represents death and punishment, the lady symbolizes innocence and reward (it's not her fault she's lovely and the Princess is jealous). "Doleful iron bells" represent mourning, while "gay brass bells" represent celebration and life. Stockton's symbols help readers broaden their appreciation for the deeper level of the story's meaning, and perhaps relate it to their own life lessons.

Interesting Vocabulary

Semi-barbaric : Half savage or uncivilized, brutal and cruel, the other half civilized or "not quite" barbaric. It's a confusing juxtaposition, which makes it a perfect adjective to describe the King and the Princess.

Barleycorn : While literally a grain of barley or unit of measurement based on the length of the grain, Stockton's description: "...every barleycorn a king, knew no tradition to which he owed more allegiance than pleased his fancy " may also be a reference to an ancient British folksong personifying the ill-fated: John Bar-Ley-Corn

Choristers : A member of a choir, or someone leading singing, used in the story to describe a "good" outcome: " Another door opened beneath the king, and a priest, followed by a band of choristers ' and dancing maidens blowing joyous airs on golden horns and treading an measure. "

Moiety : Each of two parts (another reference to semi-barbaric): " Had it not been for the moiety of barbarism in her nature, it is probable that lady would not have been there."

Explain what the following quotes mean and how they relate to the story:

"He was a man of exuberant fancy, and, withal, of an authority so irresistible that, at his will, he turned his varied fancies into facts. He was greatly given to self-communing; and, when he and himself agreed upon any thing, the thing was done."

"The arena of the king was built, not to give the people an opportunity of hearing the rhapsodies of dying gladiators, nor to enable them to view the inevitable conclusion of a conflict between religious opinions and hungry jaws, but for purposes far better adapted to widen and develop the mental energies of the people. This vast amphitheatre, with its encircling galleries, its mysterious vaults, and its unseen passages, was an agent of poetic justice, in which crime was punished. Or virtue rewarded, by the decrees of an impartial and incorruptible chance."

"The moment that the case of the criminal was thus decided, doleful iron bells were clanged, great wails went up from the hired mourners posted on the outer rim of the arena, and the vast audience, with bowed heads and downcast hearts, wended slowly their homeward way, mourning greatly that one so young and fair, or so old and respected, should have merited so dire a fate."

"The decisions of this tribunal were not only fair, they were positively determinate: the accused person was instantly punished if he found himself guilty; and, if innocent, he was rewarded on the spot, whether he liked it or not. There was no escape from the judgments or the king's arena."

"Among his courtiers was a young man of that fineness of blood and lowness of station common to the conventional heroes of romance who love royal maidens. This royal maiden was well satisfied with her lover, for he was handsome and brave to a degree unsurpassed in all this kingdom; and she loved him with an ardor that had enough of barbarism in it to make it exceedingly warm and strong."

"He had loved the Princess, and neither he, she, nor any one else thought of denying the fact; but the king would not think of allowing any fact of this kind to interfere with the workings of the tribunal, in which he took such great delight and satisfaction. "

"Possessed of more power, influence, and force of character than any one who had ever before been interested in such a case, she had done what no other person had done,--she had possessed herself of the secret of the doors."

"It was one of tile fairest and loveliest of the damsels of the court who had been selected as the reward of the accused youth, should he be proved innocent of the crime of aspiring to one so far above him; and the Princess hated her."

"She raised her hand, and made a slight, quick movement toward the right. No one but her lover saw her."

"Think of it, fair reader, not as if the decision of the question depended upon yourself, but upon that hot-blooded, semi-barbaric Princess, her soul at a white heat beneath the combined fires of despair and jealousy. She had lost him, but who should have him?"

Discussion Questions

1. Explain the meaning of " semi-barbaric " and why it's a perfect adjective to describe both the King and the Princess. How can someone be half cruel, brutal and uncivilized, and half not?

2. Stockton begs the question: " Which came out of the opened door,--the lady, or the tiger?" Write a persuasive argument for which choice the Princess ended up making, and why.

3. Explain why this situation poses an unsolvable problem.

4. Determinism versus Free Will is one of the story's themes. Explain both concepts as revealed in this tale. "

5. Think of this tale from the young man's point of view, if he could choose. If he was a Romantic , might he die rather than lose his true love? Or, is he a Realist , settling for survival with a fair maiden? Sure beats being dead.

6. Using the literary device of allegory, the story has two layers of meaning. Explain each layer and what the symbols represent.

7. Relate the concept of "fate" to a situation in your own life where a "choice" wasn't really up to you. Have you ever had to make a "lady or the tiger?" decision?

8. Read the sequel to this story, The Discourager of Hesitancy , and compare the King's "choice" offered to a visiting prince requesting a wife, with the young man's in this story.

9. Think of a story, book, or movie in which the ending was withheld, leaving the reader or audience to determine the ending, or guessing what happens next. (Can't think of one? Try the Harry Potter series). Discuss why this is an appealing technique to keep us coming back for more?

Paired Reading Suggestions

Compare The Lady, or the Tiger? themes and literary devices to these stories:

The Discourager of Hesitancy , the story's sequel, in which the reader eagerly hopes to discover which fate the Princess chose for her lover in the first story.

The Monkey's Paw by W.W. Jacobs , which shares the literary device of a dramatically suppressed ending, leaving the reader to figure it out.

Marjorie Daw by Thomas Bailey Aldrich , offers a dramatic surprise ending.

The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell , another story with an impossible "choice"-- both of deadly consequence.

The Travelling Companion by Hans Christian Andersen , compare the Princesses' character, motives, and "evilness."

The Cunning Little Tailor by The Brothers Grimm , compare the riddling Princess, and whether both stories share aspects of the fairy tale genre.

Choose one of these Morality Tales and compare its lesson to this story.

Useful Links

Biography and Works by Frank Stockton

Lesson Plans and Activities for The Lady, or the Tiger?

Barbarism and Civilization in The Lady, or the Tiger?

Storyboard That Differentiated Lesson Plan

Persuasive Writing Workshop

20 Great American Short Stories

Short Stories for High School

Short Stories for Middle School

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Home › Literature › Analysis of Frank R. Stockton’s The Lady, or the Tiger?

Analysis of Frank R. Stockton’s The Lady, or the Tiger?

By NASRULLAH MAMBROL on May 27, 2021

Frank R. Stockton (1834–1902) originally entitled this story “The King’s Arena,” and after its appearance in 1882, it became the most famous story ever published in Century Magazine. Related by a caustic first-person narrator  who clearly disagrees with the feudal nature of kings and courtiers who set themselves above commoners, the story takes place in an unnamed barbaric country. The king discovers that a handsome young man, a commoner, whose low social rank prohibits his marrying royalty, has fallen in love with the king’s daughter—a crime that, the author remarks wryly, became common enough in later years. The trial of the young man takes place in the king’s arena. He must choose to open one of two doors. Behind one waits a ferocious beast who will tear him to pieces; behind the other, is a beautiful maiden who will marry him immediately. If he chooses the beast, he is automatically guilty; if he chooses the maiden, he proves his innocence.

Frank R. Stockton/Wikimedia

Of all those in the arena—including the king— only the clever princess has discovered the secret of what lies behind each door. She has made her decision to send a signal to the young man, and she does so, indicating the door on the right. In reaching her decision, the princess has agonized between the dreadful images of the savage and bloody death, and of the young man married to the beautiful maiden of whom the princess is intensely jealous. The young man moves immediately to the door the princess has indicated, and the story ends with the narrator’s question to the reader: “Which came out of the door,—the lady, or the tiger?” (10). Although similar to a surprise ending, the final sentence differs in that it leaves the reader without a denouement. Five years later, Stockton followed with “The Discourager of Hesitancy” (1887), which promises to solve the puzzle, but in fact this story, too, leaves the question unanswered.

BIBLIOGRAPHY Stockton, Frank R. “The Lady, or the Tiger?” In The Lady, or the Tiger? And Other Stories. New York: Scribner, 1914.

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The Lady, or the Tiger?

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Discussion Questions

Analyze how typical fairy tale tropes are used and/or subverted in “The Lady, or the Tiger?”

Pay attention to the description of the king and his actions. How does the narrator feel about the king? Is the reader supposed to feel the same way? Use evidence from the text to support your argument.

“The decisions of this tribunal were not only fair, they were positively determinate: the accused person was instantly punished if he found himself guilty, and, if innocent, he was rewarded on the spot, whether he liked it or not” (Paragraph 7). How is fairness defined in this story?

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"Lamb to the Slaughter" by Roald Dahl Persuasive Essay

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