“The Lady, or the Tiger?” Written by: Frank R. Stockton

1. Give one way the king is NOT barbaric and one way he IS barbaric. He was not barbaric in a way because he had bland and genial mannerisms. He was even blander and more genial when there were problems, because he liked to fix them. He also put a lady behind the door. He was barbaric because he had an unusual form of punishment. If suspected of a crime, a man would have a choice between two doors. One would contain a woman who would reward his virtue; the other would contain a tiger which would rip apart the man in retribution for his crime.

2. FILL IN THE SENTENCE “This vast amphitheatre, with its encircling galleries, its mysterious vaults, and its unseen passages, was an agent of poetic justice, in which crime was punished or virtue rewarded, by the decrees of an impartial and incorruptible chance.

3. When someone committed a crime of importance, what was the first thing done? The first thing done was a public notice was given that on an appointed day the fate of the accused person would be decided in the king’s arena.

4. After the accused is put in the center of the amphitheatre, he is given the choice of what to open? The accused would have the choice to open one of two doors. This choice would decide his fate.

Answers to questions 5 & 6 5. Behind one door is a tiger which means HE is guilty; when he opens it, there came out of it a hungry tiger, the fiercest and most cruel tiger that could be procured. The tiger would attack immediately. 6. Behind the other door is a lady, which means he’s innocent; the most suitable lady for his years and station chosen by his majesty. To this lady he would be immediately married in the amphitheatre.

7. COMPLETE THE SENTENCE “ the accused person was instantly punished if he found himself guilty; and if innocent, he was rewarded on the spot.”

8. How much did the princess love her lover? “This royal maiden was well satisfied with her lover, for he was handsome and brave to a degree unsurpassed in all his kingdom; and she loved him with an ardor that had enough of barbarism in it to make it exceedingly warm and strong.”

9. What happened when the king found out? As soon as the king discovered this love affair, he immediately sent the man to prison without any hesitation.

10. What did the princess make sure she knew? The princess made sure she knew what door the tiger was behind and what door the lady was behind. She also knew which lady was behind the door.

11. How did the princess feel about the lady behind the door? The princess hated her because she was the fairest and loveliest of the damsels of the court who been selected as the reward of the accused youth, should he be proved innocent. She also thought she saw this woman throw glances of admiration towards her lover and thought those looks were returned. The princess did not like when the two talked, even if it was brief and about unimportant topics.

Questions 12 & 13 12. Did the youth expect the princess to know what was behind each door? Yes. 13. Do you think the youth expected the princess to lead him to the door of the lady? Student Choice

14. The princess felt something when she imagined each situation playing out. How did she feel thinking about her lover choosing the tiger? The lady? THE TIGER THE LADY She could not bear the thought of her lover opening the door to the vicious tiger with the cruel fangs. She didn’t want to lose him. She thought more about him opening the door to the lady. She imagined him rushing to meet her, the lady with flushing with triumph. She thought about the wedding bells and the happiness and she hated the thought of her lover being with this woman.

WHAT/WHO DO YOU THINK WAS BEHIND THE DOOR? THE TIGER THE LADY