The Lady, or the Tiger? Frank R. Stockton

The King He was semibarbaric. Ruthless and bloodthirsty, the King was also partly compassionate. This set him up for great internal conflict between good and evil.

The Princess Much like her father, she was semibarbaric. Violating her father’s social code, she fell in love with one of the his subjects. She also suffered internal conflict.

The Princess’ Lover He was of a lower socioeconomic class than the princess. This commoner was charged with the crime of falling in love with the princess, an offense of which he was guilty. He was to be tried by the King’s judicial system.

The Judicial System In the judicial system created by the king, the accused was given a choice between two doors. Whatever was behind the door was one’s fate. Because it was based on luck, this system wasn’t fair. It provided entertainment for the king and his people.

Door #1: The Tiger Behind one of the doors was concealed a tiger. This vicious beast was chosen for being the fiercest and hungriest in the kingdom. If one chose this door, he would be killed; and hired mourners would grieve over the death of the criminal.

Door #2: The Lady If one choose the other door, a woman would be made your wife instantaneously. She was chosen for being the most beautiful maiden of the defendant’s social class and age group.

Classified Info Revealed Because it was her lover who was being tried, the king’s daughter discovered which door concealed the tiger. Out of her own interest, she found out who the maiden was behind the other door. The possible bride-to-be had previously spoken with the defendant. Jealousy and hatred for this woman overcame the princess.

The Dilemma With the knowledge that her lover would ask which door to chose, the Princess toiled for a long time over her decision. Out of compassion and love, she could chose to spare his life by signaling the door masking the maiden. If her barbarianism got the better of her, she could send him to his grave because she didn’t want him to be with another woman, especially the maiden whom she hated.

The Trial With the people packing the arena, the accused lover turned to bow to the king. Having already made up her mind, the princess signaled for him to chose the door on the right. Completely trusting her, the commoner turned and opened the door to which she had motioned. The author leaves us with the question…

The Lady, OR The Tiger?

Editors’ Commentary Note: These are the editors’ personal opinions that should not be held as proven fact or graded as a paragraph. Stephen Kuehl Because she was jealous of the maiden behind the door, the princess signaled for her lover to choose the door behind which the tiger lurked ready to consume its prey. The man was instantly devoured because the princess felt that if she could not have him for her husband, no one else could have him either. He never should have trusted that vengeful woman. Joseph Murphy Without a doubt, the princess spared her lover’s life by signaling for him to chose the door with the lady. True love knows no bounds. She could have never lived with herself knowing that she killed the man whom she once loved. Because they truly loved each other, the accused lover could open the door that his lover chose for him with no hesitation.

Acknowledgements Editors Joseph Murphy Stephen Kuehl Executive Producers Written and Directed by Murphy & Kuehl Visual Graphics Sound Editors Joseph Murphy Stephen Kuehl Special Effects by A production of Kuehl & Murphy Studios inc.® All Rights Reserved