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Frank Stockton's The Lady, Or The Tiger?

517 Words3 Pages

In Frank Stockton’s short story “The Lady, or the Tiger?,” a tiger came out of the door due to the princess’ love. The princess shares the same character traits as her father, the king. The king is known for being semi-barbaric and imperious. The princess falls in love with a man whom her father disapproves of. Her father makes the princess’ love choose between two doors with no knowledge of what is the other side, while at the bottom of an amphitheatre. The princess is aware of which side contains a bloodthirsty tiger and which side holds a beautiful young lady. Stockton uses a simile to describe the princess “with a soul as fervent and imperious as his [the king's] own” (141). The princess is described as arrogant and powerful. She would …show more content…

In this story, a semi-barbaric king punished anyone who was accused of crime by deciding their fate in the king’s arena. The accused person would stand at the bottom of the amphitheatre and had a choice between two doors-- one had gold and treasures while the other contained a bloodthirsty tiger. Through the trigger, the author has the readers intrigued when “the king happened to discover its [the princess’ love affair] existence” (141). The king’s discovery of his beloved daughter’s affair has the readers wonder what will happen next. The king is known for being strict and having having high standards. His knowledge of his daughter’s love affair was tragic. The princess was in love with a common man, which was against the king’s values. This will keep the readers interested in what the king’s reaction and punishment will be. In addition, Stockton instills suspense by leaving out the resolution: “So I leave it with all of you: Which came out of the opened door-- the lady or the tiger?” (144). The reader has to finish the story by questioning what actually came out of the door. The resolution of a story is supposed to tie up all loose ends and answered any unanswered questions. However, the author did not answer the essential question: Did the princess or the tiger come out of the door? He keeps the readers ambivalent with the elusive ending, creating suspense and

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