The Lady or the Tiger By Frank R

“The Lady, or the Tiger? ” By: Frank R. Stockton Clay Pitman, Trent Baggerly Daniel Meister, Jackson Hice

Frank R. Stockton • He was hoped to be a doctor by his father when he was younger. • Illustrated his stories and articles by wood engraving. • Most of his early works were for children. • Frank R. Stockton joined Mary Dodge’s staff after she was named the editor of St. Nicholas a children’s magazine.

Vocabulary • Impartial- not favoring one side more than another. A Yankee would be impartial while watching the Iron Bowl. • Emanate- to come forth. The king ordered the jester to emanate and make his talents known. • Dire- dreadful; terrible. The person that chooses the wrong door has a dire fate.

• Fervent- having or showing great intensity of feeling; passionate. The princess had a fervent love towards her future king. • Novel- new and unusual. The invention of the automobile was very novel at the time.

Theme Every decision you make is an important one. This theme appears multiple times throughout the story. The first time you see it is when the princess dates the courtier of her father. She knew he wouldn’t approve, but she did it anyway. The next decision is made by the princess. She was faced with deciding the outcome of her lover’s life. Her decision is no doubt an important one.

Plot • Characters- Princess, King, Princess’s lover, lady behind door, tiger. • Setting- King’s arena • Theme- Every decision you make is an important one • Basic Situation- The king’s daughter is having a love affair with a courtier and the king does not approve. He appointed the courtier to the arena to choose a door. Either outcome ending their relationship. • Internal Conflict- Fear, love, anticipation

Plot continued. . . • External Conflict- Tiger, king, possible other lady • Complications- King forced courtier into arena. Princess knew what stood behind each door. • Climax- The courtier chooses the door, but the ending is never revealed • Resolution- The story did not provide a resolution. The courtier’s fate was never shown. • Protagonist- Princess, Courtier • Antagonist- King, tiger, lady • Dynamic- Princess • Static-Courtier, King

Conflict- the struggle between opposing forces in a story or drama

Conflict is a literary element featured in all literature. One of the early conflicts in “The Lady, or the Tiger? ” is the love affair between the princess and a courtier of the king. Together, they had a strong relationship, until it was discovered by the king. The king sent the young man to prison without hesitation. He was then appointed a day for his trial in the king’s arena. The young man’s fate now lie in his own hands, in one decision.

Digging Deeper “The Lady, or the Tiger? ” is a story that provides a love affair, a barbaric criminal justice system, and an unexpected ending. The resolution of the story is probably not what most of us wanted, but it asks a few questions. Can you trust your life to a friend? Which emotion is stronger, love or jealousy?

The princess was torn between the decision of her lovers fate. She could let him live, but suffer through seeing him with another woman. She could let him die a tragic death, but not have to see him in another relationship. Either way, the princess would not be completely happy. Now it is up to you. Which is a stronger emotion, love or jealousy?