In Frank Stockton's "The Lady, or the Tiger?" the three main characters - the King, the Princess, and the Lover - each face a distinct conflict when the Princess and her Lover decide to marry. The conflicts arise due to the unconventional love affair between the Princess and the commoner Lover, challenging societal norms and the King's authority.
For the King, the conflict is person vs. person. He is torn between his love for his daughter and his desire to maintain control over her choices. The King reacts with fury and anguish, as he cannot bear the thought of his daughter marrying a lowly subject. Ultimately, he resolves the conflict by devising a cruel and unusual punishment for the Lover: a choice between two doors, one concealing a ferocious
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self conflict. She is torn between her love for the Lover and her loyalty to her father. Initially, she reacts with anguish and jealousy at the thought of her Lover being with another woman. However, as the story progresses, she realizes the gravity of the situation and becomes determined to save her Lover's life. Her resolution comes in the form of a secret signal she gives to her Lover, indicating which door he should choose.
The Lover's conflict is person vs. person and person vs. self. He must navigate the dangerous situation of choosing a door that will determine his fate, all while dealing with his love for the Princess. Initially, he reacts with shock and disbelief, but he ultimately understands the Princess's signal and chooses the door she indicated. In doing so, he resolves the external conflict with the King and the internal conflict within himself, as he puts his trust in the Princess's love.
The characters do change as a result of the conflict. The King's obsession with control and power leads him to devise a life-or-death scenario, revealing the extent of his tyrannical nature. The Princess matures and displays her love for the Lover by making a difficult decision, embracing selflessness over selfishness. The Lover evolves from a simple commoner driven by love to a man who trusts the Princess's judgment and follows her