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The Lady or the Tiger? And, the Discourager of Hesitancy
Story summary: In ancient times, a king devised a system of justice where guilt or innocence was determined entirely by chance. The system worked this way: When a man committed a crime important enough to interest the king, notice was given that the fate of the accused person would be decided, on a given date, in the arena of the amphitheater. When the date arrived and everyone had assembled in the galleries, the king gave a signal, a door beneath him opened, and the accused stepped out into the arena. Two doors, exactly alike and side by side, faced the accused, and it was his duty to open one of them. He could open either door he pleased. If he opened the one, a hungry tiger would spring upon him and tear him to pieces. But, if he opened the other door, a beautiful lady came out and the accused was immediately married to her, as a reward for his innocence.
The king had a beautiful daughter, with whom a young man of common blood fell in love. The king's daughter was also in love with the young man. The love affair went on for some time before the king discovered its existence. Immediately, the king had the youth placed into prison and set a day for the trial in the arena. The appointed day arrived, and the galleries of the arena were filled. The signal was given, a door beneath the royal party opened, and the lover of the princess walked into the arena. The princess, through the use of her position and money, had learned behind which door stood the lady and behind which waited the tiger. The youth expected her to have learned this information, and he looked toward her for a signal. Her signal was toward the right, and the youth went to the door on the right and opened it. The story leaves it up to the reader to decide which came out of the door--the lady or the tiger. Which did the princess decide? Was it to let her lover to live and love another woman, or did she decide that if she couldn't have him no one would?
The king had a beautiful daughter, with whom a young man of common blood fell in love. The king's daughter was also in love with the young man. The love affair went on for some time before the king discovered its existence. Immediately, the king had the youth placed into prison and set a day for the trial in the arena. The appointed day arrived, and the galleries of the arena were filled. The signal was given, a door beneath the royal party opened, and the lover of the princess walked into the arena. The princess, through the use of her position and money, had learned behind which door stood the lady and behind which waited the tiger. The youth expected her to have learned this information, and he looked toward her for a signal. Her signal was toward the right, and the youth went to the door on the right and opened it. The story leaves it up to the reader to decide which came out of the door--the lady or the tiger. Which did the princess decide? Was it to let her lover to live and love another woman, or did she decide that if she couldn't have him no one would?
36 pages, Paperback
First published June 4, 1882
12 people are currently reading
1408 people want to read
About the author
Frank R. Stockton
440 books69 followersFrank Richard Stockton was an American writer and humorist, best known today for a series of innovative children's fairy tales that were widely popular during the last decades of the 19th century. Stockton avoided the didactic moralizing common to children's stories of the time, instead using clever humor to poke at greed, violence, abuse of power and other human foibles, describing his fantastic characters' adventures in a charming, matter-of-fact way.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 178 reviews
April 6, 2017
Again! A painful tease for the reader's mind!!
I must say that the answer of this story is very difficult. Even more difficult than Lady or Tiger?, its prequel. I liked the previous story. Like this one too. But I think that last one was more interesting and more reasonable.
OVERVIEW
Again author left the ending for us. To decide what we want. What we would do in the protagonist's position?
A prince came to a semi-barbaric king who had every kind of woman in his castle. Prince demanded him a woman to marry. King agreed and the marriage took place with prince's eyes fully covered. After the marriage, king told him to choose the woman he had just married in the row of 40 women or he would be dead if he would choose wrong. But the Prince hadn't seen her. Just heard her voice or had touched her hand in the marriage. When he tried to find, he got confused by two women. one of them were smiling and other were scowling. Who is the right woman?
Now put yourself in the women's position. What you would do? Would you scowl? Or would you smile by seeing your accidental spouse?
My Answer is: I don't know!! I can't even guess!! It's soo irritating!! >...<
I must say that the answer of this story is very difficult. Even more difficult than Lady or Tiger?, its prequel. I liked the previous story. Like this one too. But I think that last one was more interesting and more reasonable.
OVERVIEW
Again author left the ending for us. To decide what we want. What we would do in the protagonist's position?
A prince came to a semi-barbaric king who had every kind of woman in his castle. Prince demanded him a woman to marry. King agreed and the marriage took place with prince's eyes fully covered. After the marriage, king told him to choose the woman he had just married in the row of 40 women or he would be dead if he would choose wrong. But the Prince hadn't seen her. Just heard her voice or had touched her hand in the marriage. When he tried to find, he got confused by two women. one of them were smiling and other were scowling. Who is the right woman?
Now put yourself in the women's position. What you would do? Would you scowl? Or would you smile by seeing your accidental spouse?
My Answer is: I don't know!! I can't even guess!! It's soo irritating!! >...<
June 4, 2021
A pair of mind-teasing open-ended short stories by Frank R. Stockton.
"The Lady or the Tiger" is the famous one. At least I first heard about Lady/Tiger from another book. In my childhood my dad had The Lady or the Tiger? And Other Logic Puzzles and I had tried to read some puzzles (but failed to finish the book.) although I didn't know that the lady/tiger was based on Mr. Stockton's story at that time.
"The Discourager of Hesitancy" is the less-famous one. I think this story is more hilarious than "The Lady or the Tiger" and offering similar choices and additional rule for the test.
"The Lady or the Tiger" is the famous one. At least I first heard about Lady/Tiger from another book. In my childhood my dad had The Lady or the Tiger? And Other Logic Puzzles and I had tried to read some puzzles (but failed to finish the book.) although I didn't know that the lady/tiger was based on Mr. Stockton's story at that time.
"The Discourager of Hesitancy" is the less-famous one. I think this story is more hilarious than "The Lady or the Tiger" and offering similar choices and additional rule for the test.
January 20, 2022
I shall give a review at a later date.
February 9, 2022
The cliff-hanger at the end was not compelling at all and overall I found the story to be quite pedestrian.
September 7, 2020
The Lady or the Tiger? and the Discourager of Hesitancy are two cute stories, by Frank Stockton, that hoodwink the reader twice – but in a fun and bamboozled sort of way. These stories are a delight for all ages, middle-school aged (or younger) and up.
In the Lady or the Tiger? (1882) https://americanliterature.com/author... we are introduced to a king who is both semi-barbaric and influenced to a degree by his civilized neighbors. The king rules his kingdom by whim and metes out justice with the fairness of chance – chance meaning that he leaves an offender’s condemned fate to his own hands. The condemned is ordered to “the arena” where all the spectators watch as he chooses one of two doors. Behind one of the doors is a ferocious tiger who will tear him to pieces in punishment, but if he chooses the other door, he is rewarded by a beautiful maiden that he is immediately married off to, whether he likes it or not, whether he’s married or not... His chances are equal – fair in the semi-barbaric King’s notion of justice. Chance will determine whether doleful iron bells or gay brass bells will ring upon his choice.
To make a very short story shorter, young handsome suitor and King’s daughter fall in love, King finds out and young handsome suitor is sentenced to appear in the arena. This is a win-win solution for the King while the princess is beside herself with fear and jealousy – fear for her lover being torn to pieces, jealous that another lady of the court will become his bride. Princess greases a few palms to find out what fate is hiding behind each of the doors and as is to be expected she signals the prince which door to choose, when no one is looking.
In the Discourager of Hesitancy (1885) https://americanliterature.com/author... a recent visitor who witnessed the above noted events, in the semi-barbaric king’s kingdom, describes what he saw to his landsmen. When asked which door the young suitor chose, he explained that he left before the conclusion of the event so he did not know how the young suitor fared. A party of five was organized to travel to the kingdom of the semi-barbaric king to learn the answer. Upon inquiring, the party was treated to yet another story of the semi-barbaric King’s judgement by chance, from which they can learn the answer.
These are two fun stories and there is a link to a study guide discussing literary devices and symbols for those who are interested. https://americanliterature.com/the-la...
In the Lady or the Tiger? (1882) https://americanliterature.com/author... we are introduced to a king who is both semi-barbaric and influenced to a degree by his civilized neighbors. The king rules his kingdom by whim and metes out justice with the fairness of chance – chance meaning that he leaves an offender’s condemned fate to his own hands. The condemned is ordered to “the arena” where all the spectators watch as he chooses one of two doors. Behind one of the doors is a ferocious tiger who will tear him to pieces in punishment, but if he chooses the other door, he is rewarded by a beautiful maiden that he is immediately married off to, whether he likes it or not, whether he’s married or not... His chances are equal – fair in the semi-barbaric King’s notion of justice. Chance will determine whether doleful iron bells or gay brass bells will ring upon his choice.
To make a very short story shorter, young handsome suitor and King’s daughter fall in love, King finds out and young handsome suitor is sentenced to appear in the arena. This is a win-win solution for the King while the princess is beside herself with fear and jealousy – fear for her lover being torn to pieces, jealous that another lady of the court will become his bride. Princess greases a few palms to find out what fate is hiding behind each of the doors and as is to be expected she signals the prince which door to choose, when no one is looking.
In the Discourager of Hesitancy (1885) https://americanliterature.com/author... a recent visitor who witnessed the above noted events, in the semi-barbaric king’s kingdom, describes what he saw to his landsmen. When asked which door the young suitor chose, he explained that he left before the conclusion of the event so he did not know how the young suitor fared. A party of five was organized to travel to the kingdom of the semi-barbaric king to learn the answer. Upon inquiring, the party was treated to yet another story of the semi-barbaric King’s judgement by chance, from which they can learn the answer.
These are two fun stories and there is a link to a study guide discussing literary devices and symbols for those who are interested. https://americanliterature.com/the-la...
January 21, 2021
*clears throat* *prepares vocal chords* *breathes deeply*
So.
Hi.
*nodding*
I finished it.
...
Yeah.
*keeps on nodding*
WHAT IN THE COFFINATED HECKING ASHY MIDDLE EARTH, WAS THAT DANG ENDING. I SWEAR, ON MY BOOK'S GRAVE, I WILL TEAR APART SOMEBODY IF I DON'T GET ANSWERS. AND THAT SOMEBODY WILL PROBABLY BE MYSELF. AND IT WILL ~HURT~. *throws tantrum* WhYyHhyhyyyyy
No yeah.
Totally fine.
*screams into pillow* ToTalLy FiNe!!
So.
Hi.
*nodding*
I finished it.
...
Yeah.
*keeps on nodding*
WHAT IN THE COFFINATED HECKING ASHY MIDDLE EARTH, WAS THAT DANG ENDING. I SWEAR, ON MY BOOK'S GRAVE, I WILL TEAR APART SOMEBODY IF I DON'T GET ANSWERS. AND THAT SOMEBODY WILL PROBABLY BE MYSELF. AND IT WILL ~HURT~. *throws tantrum* WhYyHhyhyyyyy
No yeah.
Totally fine.
*screams into pillow* ToTalLy FiNe!!
February 4, 2013
I went into this thinking it would be a choose your own adventure story; I was semi disappointed that it just ended with what my decision would be. I have no idea what my decision would be were I said princess. Send my lover to his doom or send him away in the arms of another woman... I think a better story (less philosophical maybe) would be for the daughter to poison her father and take over the country and do away with his barbaric method of justice, freeing her lover, and saving herself from this horrible decision.
I'm too much of a happy endings person to desire mulling over this predicament.
I'm too much of a happy endings person to desire mulling over this predicament.
October 9, 2017
I cannot believe this man HAD THE HEART to write a follow-up that STILL doesn't tell us the outcome of the original. Jesus ChriST.
"The Lady or the Tiger?" is a story that tells of a king and the unusual punishment imposed by him - in which the accused/criminal must choose between two doors. Apparently people in the story thought this was fair judgement, my God. So behind one door is a hungry tiger and behind the other is a fair maiden. It all comes down to luck. The king doesn't approve of the princess' affair with her lover, and he is forced to make a choice. Knowing what lies behind the doors, the princess signals to him which door to open.
Which👏one👏?
"The Discourager of Hesitancy" is literally a riddle for a riddle. A prince goes to a kingdom to find a wife. After A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS, he is somehow married to someone while BLINDFOLDED, FOR GOODNESS SAKE. Once the wedding ceremony was over, the blindfold was removed and ho--he finds 40 ladies standing before him, one of whom was his new bride! The rule was that if he did not correctly identify her, he would be executed on the spot. In the end, the prince narrowed his choices down to two, one lady smiling and one frowning, and made his pick.
Which👏one👏?
Apparently, if you figure out which lady the prince had married/chosen, the officer in the second story would tell the outcome of "The Lady or the Tiger?" But alas! The five travelers who were listening in the second tale couldn't decide on the answer.
MAKE YOUR CHOICE GOD DAMN IT.
Personally I liked the first story more, for I found it more interesting (or maybe because it came first lol) although they all successfully made me want to travel back in time and have a conversation with Mr. Stockton. What is up with both kings who are semi-barbaric though??
Anyway, I read the first one in my english class YEARS back and I still haven't been able to forget it. To be honest I think the princess chose the tiger, because sometimes jealousy is as strong as love, and it has been mentioned several times how she'd hate another woman in her lover's arms. Also, like father like daughter. Ah, you can never guess with people.
BUT!!! Because my mind secretly likes to torture me so, imagine--
. the princess chose the door with the tiger
. but her lover thought she'd rather let him be with the other woman
. and assumed it was the one with the maiden?
. he goes to open the other door
. because he'd rather be eaten by the tiger
. and finds the lady instead!!!
Angst angst angst angst ANGST ANGST angst angst ANGST
Please take this journey with me :) The feeling of BETRAYAL. Oooooooooh.
But that didn't happen.
somebody help me.
I'd like to know what you guys think.
"The Lady or the Tiger?" is a story that tells of a king and the unusual punishment imposed by him - in which the accused/criminal must choose between two doors. Apparently people in the story thought this was fair judgement, my God. So behind one door is a hungry tiger and behind the other is a fair maiden. It all comes down to luck. The king doesn't approve of the princess' affair with her lover, and he is forced to make a choice. Knowing what lies behind the doors, the princess signals to him which door to open.
Which👏one👏?
"The Discourager of Hesitancy" is literally a riddle for a riddle. A prince goes to a kingdom to find a wife. After A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS, he is somehow married to someone while BLINDFOLDED, FOR GOODNESS SAKE. Once the wedding ceremony was over, the blindfold was removed and ho--he finds 40 ladies standing before him, one of whom was his new bride! The rule was that if he did not correctly identify her, he would be executed on the spot. In the end, the prince narrowed his choices down to two, one lady smiling and one frowning, and made his pick.
Which👏one👏?
Apparently, if you figure out which lady the prince had married/chosen, the officer in the second story would tell the outcome of "The Lady or the Tiger?" But alas! The five travelers who were listening in the second tale couldn't decide on the answer.
MAKE YOUR CHOICE GOD DAMN IT.
Personally I liked the first story more, for I found it more interesting (or maybe because it came first lol) although they all successfully made me want to travel back in time and have a conversation with Mr. Stockton. What is up with both kings who are semi-barbaric though??
Anyway, I read the first one in my english class YEARS back and I still haven't been able to forget it. To be honest I think the princess chose the tiger, because sometimes jealousy is as strong as love, and it has been mentioned several times how she'd hate another woman in her lover's arms. Also, like father like daughter. Ah, you can never guess with people.
BUT!!! Because my mind secretly likes to torture me so, imagine--
. the princess chose the door with the tiger
. but her lover thought she'd rather let him be with the other woman
. and assumed it was the one with the maiden?
. he goes to open the other door
. because he'd rather be eaten by the tiger
. and finds the lady instead!!!
Angst angst angst angst ANGST ANGST angst angst ANGST
Please take this journey with me :) The feeling of BETRAYAL. Oooooooooh.
But that didn't happen.
somebody help me.
I'd like to know what you guys think.
May 8, 2009
I read this in one of my high school classes. I like to make up my own endings, but I also want the actual ending.
September 27, 2010
I read this story in my English class this year. I absolutely loved it. I believe tiger, and I think I might have to read more of Stockton's work!
January 20, 2016
This story drives me CRAZY!!
October 14, 2021
Frank Stockton's story was delivered with such eloquence and powerful language I failed to realize that it was designed as a fairy tale. I could not see how a young child could comprehend the richness of his vocabulary or the symbolism contained in this narrative. After viewing this author's background, I learned that he lived in the 1800's, so that explained some of my reservations. I will not attempt to relate this tale here. It is short enough for all to read and quite delightful .
This narrative was brief, yet filled with suspense and enjoyment. The ending which I yearned to discover was a total surprise!
This narrative was brief, yet filled with suspense and enjoyment. The ending which I yearned to discover was a total surprise!
June 24, 2021
What do YOU think? Was it a lady or a tiger?
April 8, 2017
Smiles invite the approach of true love. A frown is a reproach to a tardy advance.
Aaaaaaaa... why the suspense again!! >.<
Now this is getting annoying.. One suspense was enough. The same thing again & again gets boring :/
The story was good, but once again it ends without giving away much. There was another blank ending -_-
I wanna ask why is the King still alive? Why can't someone kill him? Why is he so free to play these guessing games on every other person he finds & without their permission? He's so cruel & tyrant!!
And why is the prince not saying anything? He himself is from a royal background. He has his own court & army. He belongs to the other land. Why didn't he call anyone from his kingdom to help or protect him? Why is he obeying the King as if he's a scared, helpless citizen? Its not an obligation for him to listen to others! He can give orders, and even force others. Why is he alone here all by himself? He should have come up with his people..
And now again, we have an ending to choose by ourselves with reasons that which lady the prince chose? The smiling one or the frowning one? Whatever the answer is & whoever the lady is, I wanna ask the prince that is he really that weak to play all these foolish games on him so easily & even if all the maidens were equally beautiful with soft hands, then is he really going to accept any one of them so humbly without saying a word just because of they are beautiful?? I mean.. The King again has won here by selecting the bride for the prince & forcibly marrying him to anyone he chose, so the prince will go with her just like that? What if the lady was not pretty enough or less beautiful than the rest, then what was the prince's say on this?
I can't believe the prince's position here?!!! Why is he acting like a puppet?! Why so quiet? Is he that desperate to get a beautiful bride that he will just shut up his mouth & keep playing guessing games?
Also, why is the Discourager of Hesitancy there? His job is to stop the orders of the King. Seriously? That means the King has himself kept a man in his court, who can stop his own orders? This King has gone nuts!! First, no one can say anything to him. Everyone is scared to even say no to him, & now there is a man who can do that. He is there side by side the King? If thats the case, why the Prince never took his help? Why is relying on his instinct & risking his life?
And one more thing, what was the link of this story to the previous story of "The Lady or the Tiger"? Why was this story told to the deputation, instead of giving a straight answer to them? I don't find a connection between the two, except that the King likes to give horrible shocks & surprises to everyone! He just wants everything to happen by chance & wants to be the decision maker in every case.. -_-
The author again & again asks us the endings, but he has to answer all these questions first. There are many things which aren't told apart from the usual suspense filled endings. Once, all these are answered, then we can think of the ending..
Here is the story for you all which is again without an ending.. This game of the King will go on forever torturing both the characters & the readers :/ https://en.m.wikisource.org/wiki/The_...
Aaaaaaaa... why the suspense again!! >.<
Now this is getting annoying.. One suspense was enough. The same thing again & again gets boring :/
The story was good, but once again it ends without giving away much. There was another blank ending -_-
I wanna ask why is the King still alive? Why can't someone kill him? Why is he so free to play these guessing games on every other person he finds & without their permission? He's so cruel & tyrant!!
And why is the prince not saying anything? He himself is from a royal background. He has his own court & army. He belongs to the other land. Why didn't he call anyone from his kingdom to help or protect him? Why is he obeying the King as if he's a scared, helpless citizen? Its not an obligation for him to listen to others! He can give orders, and even force others. Why is he alone here all by himself? He should have come up with his people..
And now again, we have an ending to choose by ourselves with reasons that which lady the prince chose? The smiling one or the frowning one? Whatever the answer is & whoever the lady is, I wanna ask the prince that is he really that weak to play all these foolish games on him so easily & even if all the maidens were equally beautiful with soft hands, then is he really going to accept any one of them so humbly without saying a word just because of they are beautiful?? I mean.. The King again has won here by selecting the bride for the prince & forcibly marrying him to anyone he chose, so the prince will go with her just like that? What if the lady was not pretty enough or less beautiful than the rest, then what was the prince's say on this?
I can't believe the prince's position here?!!! Why is he acting like a puppet?! Why so quiet? Is he that desperate to get a beautiful bride that he will just shut up his mouth & keep playing guessing games?
Also, why is the Discourager of Hesitancy there? His job is to stop the orders of the King. Seriously? That means the King has himself kept a man in his court, who can stop his own orders? This King has gone nuts!! First, no one can say anything to him. Everyone is scared to even say no to him, & now there is a man who can do that. He is there side by side the King? If thats the case, why the Prince never took his help? Why is relying on his instinct & risking his life?
And one more thing, what was the link of this story to the previous story of "The Lady or the Tiger"? Why was this story told to the deputation, instead of giving a straight answer to them? I don't find a connection between the two, except that the King likes to give horrible shocks & surprises to everyone! He just wants everything to happen by chance & wants to be the decision maker in every case.. -_-
The author again & again asks us the endings, but he has to answer all these questions first. There are many things which aren't told apart from the usual suspense filled endings. Once, all these are answered, then we can think of the ending..
Here is the story for you all which is again without an ending.. This game of the King will go on forever torturing both the characters & the readers :/ https://en.m.wikisource.org/wiki/The_...
January 16, 2017
Personal Response:
I think that this short story was very interesting. The book ended abruptly and I can't decide if i like it or hate it. I don't like how the audience never finds out the fate of the handsome boy but I think it is a reasonable ending for the story. Overall, I thought it was a very fun story to read and would recommend it for anyone who wants to read a quick story or get a last minute Goodreads.
Plot Summary:
At the beginning of the book, the King set up a system where a person's fate is determined by the chance that they take. There are two sets of doors. Behind one door is a beautiful maiden that you will marry at once and live happy. Behind the other set of doors, is a tiger that will immediately rip you to shreds. One day, there was a harmon looking man that was about to learn his fate behind the set of doors. The princess, however, really loved this man, and didn't want him to be seen with another woman. The princess also didn't want him to be ripped to shreds. So when it came time for the young man to choose a door, he looked up to the princess. She immediately nodded toward one door. The fate of the man is not spoken of at the end of the story.
Characterization:
For this story, I am going to characterize the princess who is in love with the young man who will choose his fate. One side of her is very jealous because she doesn't want to see her lover with another girl. But the other side if her does not want him to get ripped up by the tiger. Either way she does not get what she wants. It is a matter of the goodness inside her. Will she choose the tiger or the lady? No one knows or finds out the fate of the young man and what lies behind the door.
Audience recommendations:
I would recommend this story for any boy, girl, man, or woman who is at this reading level or higher. Anyone who is 10 years old or older would probably enjoy and make sense of this story the most. If you do not enjoy cliffhangers or very short stories then I would suggest you not to read this book. I you do enjoy reading about kings, castles, and realistic fiction, then I would strongly suggest you read this story. I you want a book that you can read for a long time, then do not read this story. It is very short.
I think that this short story was very interesting. The book ended abruptly and I can't decide if i like it or hate it. I don't like how the audience never finds out the fate of the handsome boy but I think it is a reasonable ending for the story. Overall, I thought it was a very fun story to read and would recommend it for anyone who wants to read a quick story or get a last minute Goodreads.
Plot Summary:
At the beginning of the book, the King set up a system where a person's fate is determined by the chance that they take. There are two sets of doors. Behind one door is a beautiful maiden that you will marry at once and live happy. Behind the other set of doors, is a tiger that will immediately rip you to shreds. One day, there was a harmon looking man that was about to learn his fate behind the set of doors. The princess, however, really loved this man, and didn't want him to be seen with another woman. The princess also didn't want him to be ripped to shreds. So when it came time for the young man to choose a door, he looked up to the princess. She immediately nodded toward one door. The fate of the man is not spoken of at the end of the story.
Characterization:
For this story, I am going to characterize the princess who is in love with the young man who will choose his fate. One side of her is very jealous because she doesn't want to see her lover with another girl. But the other side if her does not want him to get ripped up by the tiger. Either way she does not get what she wants. It is a matter of the goodness inside her. Will she choose the tiger or the lady? No one knows or finds out the fate of the young man and what lies behind the door.
Audience recommendations:
I would recommend this story for any boy, girl, man, or woman who is at this reading level or higher. Anyone who is 10 years old or older would probably enjoy and make sense of this story the most. If you do not enjoy cliffhangers or very short stories then I would suggest you not to read this book. I you do enjoy reading about kings, castles, and realistic fiction, then I would strongly suggest you read this story. I you want a book that you can read for a long time, then do not read this story. It is very short.
July 30, 2022
This is a story that frequents many high school literature books. I find this short story so fascinating. It's one of those stories that you could read several times and pick up numerous tips and hints of information and scraps of foreshadowing as to what the ultimate decision will be. The story involves a young man who is in love with a king's daughter, which, apparently, in the king's eyes, is big no-no. The king, it must be pointed out as it is in the opening of the story, is "semi-barbaric." This description can be thus explained by his rather peculiar justice system of someone who is "on trial." In this system, the criminal or someone accused of a crime is put into an arena with two doors, and given the choice to pick one of them. In one door, there is a beautiful lady, and in the other door, a ferocious tiger. The accused is given the option of choosing his fate of which door, but obviously without knowledge of whether the lady or the tiger resides behind said door. Either marriage to a beautiful woman, or certain death to a tiger lay in the balance, and yet, the accused has the choice of the matter to decide his fate. Well, to go back to the story, Stockton does a fantastic job of stringing us along and giving us various clues about the predicament the young man is in at a nice pace to build up to the end. The young man comes out into the arena, and there are several moments that are so compelling in the descriptions of he, the king, the princess in these final moments of decision. In many ways, one could read this story in allegorical or symbolic terms as well. From what I found out later on, Stockton was flooded with mail about the "ending" of the story from fans, which I found interesting. It's a great story and makes one think about freedom of choice and the role chance plays sometimes.
February 6, 2017
Spoilers? Maybe?
When a subject accused of a crime of sufficient importance to interest the king, public notice was given that on an appointed day the fate of the accused person would be decided in the king's arena...
I read this in school and it really made me think. I actually enjoyed it despite the old-speak writing. It's rather interesting. :)
So there's this barbaric king has a pretty daughter who has an affair with a court man. The king finds out and the lover gets thrown into prison and then put on trial. The princess finds out which door has which behind it. One has a lady and the other has a tiger.
But the princess save him?
(The lady happens to be one the princess hates and who may have a crush on her lover :3)
Then it was that his quick and anxious glance asked the question: "Which?"
Will she?
Her right arm lay on the cushioned parapet before her. She raised her hand and made a slight movement towards the right. No one but her lover saw her.
Without the slightest hesitation, he went to the door on the right and opened it.
And then this happens:
Now, the point is this: Did the tiger come out of that door, or did the lady?
*bangs head on table*
The question of her decision is one not to be lightly considered, and it is not for me to presume to set myself up as the one person able to answer it. And so I leave it with all of you: Which came out of the opened door--the lady, or the tiger?
Sherlock would know, wouldn't you bae? ;3
LOL, bai!!!!!!
When a subject accused of a crime of sufficient importance to interest the king, public notice was given that on an appointed day the fate of the accused person would be decided in the king's arena...
I read this in school and it really made me think. I actually enjoyed it despite the old-speak writing. It's rather interesting. :)
So there's this barbaric king has a pretty daughter who has an affair with a court man. The king finds out and the lover gets thrown into prison and then put on trial. The princess finds out which door has which behind it. One has a lady and the other has a tiger.
But the princess save him?
(The lady happens to be one the princess hates and who may have a crush on her lover :3)
Then it was that his quick and anxious glance asked the question: "Which?"
Will she?
Her right arm lay on the cushioned parapet before her. She raised her hand and made a slight movement towards the right. No one but her lover saw her.
Without the slightest hesitation, he went to the door on the right and opened it.
And then this happens:
Now, the point is this: Did the tiger come out of that door, or did the lady?
*bangs head on table*
The question of her decision is one not to be lightly considered, and it is not for me to presume to set myself up as the one person able to answer it. And so I leave it with all of you: Which came out of the opened door--the lady, or the tiger?
Sherlock would know, wouldn't you bae? ;3
LOL, bai!!!!!!
January 3, 2012
Which would I choose? I think i would choose to have him marry the other girl because if i truly loved him i could marry some other guy for a political reason/saving the country or something and then i could seek out my lover and have a passionate long-standing affair. And I would always be jelous of his wife and the life we might have had but i would try to make the best out of it nad maybe we could run away to another country or commit suicide together or something or I could kill off his wife. Whatever. Main point... i shouldnt take out my jelousy on him, if you truly love someone can you really pick the worst outcome for them? Doesnt taht tell you something about teh nature of your own love? I mean... but if i died at 18 it would be a completly different story... not the same choice at all...
August 20, 2012
How absolutely frustrating. How absolutely brilliant. I know this is more of a short story, but I'm still adding it here, as I've meant to read it for some time. It was exactly the plot that I knew about already, but the writing style was entirely unique and exciting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 23, 2012
If I was in the princesses position I would've given him the door to the lady and then walked away from the city, town, or wherever the hell they are. But I'm not in her position so I want a bloodbath and a tragedy. Bring out the tiger!
March 20, 2010
Horrible Cliffhanger, but I love the story.... READ IT
March 26, 2023
"The Lady or the Tiger?" is a thought-provoking short story by Frank R. Stockton that leaves readers pondering in the end. The story is set in a kingdom where a king has devised a unique form of justice that involves letting a person choose between two doors: one leading to a beautiful lady, and the other to a ferocious tiger.
A gardener who is having an affair with the king's daughter was caught and brought into the arena where the two doors are erected. The princess, points him towards one of the doors, and the gardener follows her guide.
In my opinion, she likely pointed her lover towards the door with the tiger to prevent him from being with any other woman. However, the story leaves this answer open to interpretation, making it all the more engaging.
A gardener who is having an affair with the king's daughter was caught and brought into the arena where the two doors are erected. The princess, points him towards one of the doors, and the gardener follows her guide.
In my opinion, she likely pointed her lover towards the door with the tiger to prevent him from being with any other woman. However, the story leaves this answer open to interpretation, making it all the more engaging.
February 11, 2022
I like being frustrated by endings, when the frustration is intentional on the part of the author and it serves a sort of intellectually stimulating purpose (in this one I think the intention is to make you question your own morality and choices as well as your ability to understand human psychology). Btw, do not expect the second story to provide you with any answers. It is written much in the same way and will leave you pondering on what has happened (which makes for a great conversation piece if you have any friends with some spare time to read these short stories).
December 31, 2021
This tightly written story is an engrossing tale for which you will need to write your own ending. Stockton does a great job of leading his readers right up to that non-ending end, from which you surely know, by the time you have finished the story, just how he meant for it to end . . . or do you? Alas, the debate goes on and on and on . . .
March 31, 2021
Nejdå
Jag är inte alls arg, du är
Jag är inte alls arg, du är
July 25, 2021
Such a good short story. It drives me crazy that they leave you hanging at the end, but it's part of what makes it so good..... What was behind the door? The lady or the tiger? What would you have done?
August 22, 2024
Very thought provoking.
Read
November 25, 2024The more I think about which door will be opened, the harder the decision becomes. Feels It’s impossible to settle on one at this point .
August 2, 2024
"And so I leave it with all of you: Which came out of the opened door,--the lady, or the tiger?"
Well, shit. That was good. (I vote for the tiger)
Well, shit. That was good. (I vote for the tiger)
November 5, 2012
The Lady or the Tiger?
Last semester in my English class, I have read a story called " The Lady or the Tiger?"
This story was about a semi barbaric king who wanted to separate his daughter and a worker in
his castle. The reason why I like this story so much is this story has a special setting which
made the characters different from other stories. Also, it has two essential symbols and an open
ending.
The three most important characters are the king, the princess and a young man. The
special setting that makes these three characters different from others is they lived in a semi
barbaric kingdom. You can't realize their mind because you are not crazy enough and too
civilized than them. This makes you have fun in your reading.
There was two symbols in the story which is the main idea of the story. When the king
send the criminals into the arena, the criminals have to choose one of two resemble doors. But
even they looked the same, they hide different things, one hide a beautiful lady, another one hide
a tiger, and no one knows the secret of it, even the king. If the criminals choose the lady, they
would marry the lady immediately, if they choose the tiger, the tiger would suddenly jump at them
and tore them to pieces.
In the story, the king sent the young man into the arena because he fell in love with the
princess, but he was not allowed to because he was a low-birth worker. The young man didn't
choose by himself, he was waiting for the princess' direction because he trusted her. The
princess discovered the secret of the doors and pointed him to the right door. The story ended
here, the author left the question with the readers. The author could not give us the answer
because he didn’t know it, too.
This story was the best story I have read. It had many conflicts and it made me think. I was
trying to figure out what did the princess choose but I finally gave up because I wasn’t her, and I
was not a semi barbarian. But one thing I’m sure about is whether the princess chose the lady or
the tiger, the king won.
Last semester in my English class, I have read a story called " The Lady or the Tiger?"
This story was about a semi barbaric king who wanted to separate his daughter and a worker in
his castle. The reason why I like this story so much is this story has a special setting which
made the characters different from other stories. Also, it has two essential symbols and an open
ending.
The three most important characters are the king, the princess and a young man. The
special setting that makes these three characters different from others is they lived in a semi
barbaric kingdom. You can't realize their mind because you are not crazy enough and too
civilized than them. This makes you have fun in your reading.
There was two symbols in the story which is the main idea of the story. When the king
send the criminals into the arena, the criminals have to choose one of two resemble doors. But
even they looked the same, they hide different things, one hide a beautiful lady, another one hide
a tiger, and no one knows the secret of it, even the king. If the criminals choose the lady, they
would marry the lady immediately, if they choose the tiger, the tiger would suddenly jump at them
and tore them to pieces.
In the story, the king sent the young man into the arena because he fell in love with the
princess, but he was not allowed to because he was a low-birth worker. The young man didn't
choose by himself, he was waiting for the princess' direction because he trusted her. The
princess discovered the secret of the doors and pointed him to the right door. The story ended
here, the author left the question with the readers. The author could not give us the answer
because he didn’t know it, too.
This story was the best story I have read. It had many conflicts and it made me think. I was
trying to figure out what did the princess choose but I finally gave up because I wasn’t her, and I
was not a semi barbarian. But one thing I’m sure about is whether the princess chose the lady or
the tiger, the king won.
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