"The Lady, or the Tiger?" by Frank R. Stockton is a short story first published in 1882. It is famous for its open-ended conclusion and explores themes of justice, jealousy, and human nature.
Summary:
The story is set in a semi-barbaric
kingdom ruled by a powerful and whimsical king. This king has created a
unique form of justice: when someone is accused of a crime, they are placed in
an arena and must choose between two doors. Behind one door is a beautiful
lady, whom he must marry immediately. Behind the other is a hungry tiger,
which will kill him instantly. The decision is left entirely to chance, making
the system seem both fair and cruel.
The king discovers that
his daughter, the princess, is in love with a young man of lower
status. The king disapproves and sentences the man to the arena. The
princess, however, secretly learns which door hides the tiger and which hides
the lady — who happens to be her rival and someone she hates.
On the day of the trial,
the young man enters the arena and looks at the princess for guidance. She
subtly motions to the right-hand door. Without hesitation, he opens it...
But the story ends without
revealing what was behind the door.
Themes:
- Jealousy vs. love:
Did the princess send her lover to death out of jealousy, or to life with
another woman out of love?
- Barbarism masked as justice
- The unpredictability of human emotion
- Power and control
The story’s power lies in
its unresolved ending, forcing readers to examine their own beliefs about human
nature and decide for themselves: Was it the lady, or the tiger?
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