Questions and Answers
Where does the story take place?
Around the time of the Roman Empire.
Do the people like the king's system of justice?
True
List the main characters in the story.
King, Princess, Young Man
Describe the King.
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Describe the Princess.
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Describe the young man.
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Describe the system of justice the king has designed and implemented in his kingdom.
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What is the purpose of the arena?
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What is the main problem or conflict facing the main character in this story?
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Why does the king consider the outcome of the arena fair and just?
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How do the king's subjects react to these trials?
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Why does the king cast the young man into prison?
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How does the princess discover which of the two doors will hold the lady?
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Is it easy for the princess to decide the young man's fate?
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At the end of the story, is the conflict resolved?
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Define: Devious
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How does Stockton use the lady behind the door to complicate the outcome of the story?
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How is the resolution of this story unique or different?
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What do you suppose the young man is thinking when the princess signals him?
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Study Notes
Setting and Context
- The story is set in a distant past, reminiscent of the Roman Empire era.
- The king's justice system is characterized as both thrilling and just from the populace’s view, as it allows the accused to make their own choice.
Main Characters
- King: Antagonist, semi-barbaric, and father to the princess.
- Princess: Protagonist, embodies jealousy and semi-barbarism; falls in love with a commoner, inciting her father's wrath.
- Young Man: The princess's lover, whose fate hangs in the balance.
Justice System Description
- The king's arena serves as a unique justice mechanism, intended to reward virtue and punish vice through chance.
- The accused must choose between two doors: one conceals a tiger, and the other, a beautiful lady.
Purpose and Function of the Arena
- Functions as a court-like venue to determine guilt or innocence, while also serving as entertainment for the masses.
Main Conflict
- The central dilemma for the princess is whether to allow her lover to potentially face death or to be with another woman.
King’s Perspective on Justice
- The king's view of justice is colored by his arbitrary and semi-barbaric nature; he believes it reasonable to use chance for moral judgment.
- He takes pleasure in watching the trials, viewing them as a grand spectacle.
Reactions to Trials
- The populace enjoys the trials, viewing the outcomes as fair, reflecting a dark form of entertainment.
Reason for Imprisonment
- The young man is imprisoned due to his romantic ties with the king’s daughter, a transgression deemed serious by the king.
Princess’s Knowledge of the Outcome
- The princess uncovers the secret of the doors by bribing a guard, indicating her resolve to understand her lover’s fate.
Princess’s Inner Conflict
- She struggles profoundly between her hate for the lady behind the door and her love for the young man; deciding his fate is filled with torment.
Story Resolution
- The story concludes without a definitive resolution, leaving the outcome ambiguous and open to interpretation.
Themes of Deception
- The term "devious" defines the nature of human emotions and decisions, reflecting dishonesty and the complexity of the heart.
Human Emotions Explored
- The narrative delves into the princess's emotional turmoil, revealing a heart torn between love and jealousy, illustrating the complexities of desire.
Impact of the Lady Behind the Door
- The existence of the lady complicates the emotional landscape, symbolizing the inherent heartbreak in love’s choices.
Unique Resolution Approach
- Stockton’s choice to leave the story unresolved heightens the dramatic tension, allowing readers to ponder the implications of choice and consequence.
Young Man's Perspective
- Although primarily focused on the princess's thoughts, it's implied that the young man believes in the princess's love and her desire to protect him.
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Description
Test your knowledge on Frank R. Stockton's classic story, 'The Lady, or the Tiger?'. This quiz covers key elements such as the setting, characters, and public perception of the king's justice system. Perfect for literature enthusiasts and students alike!