the lady or the tiger essay examples

“The Lady, or the Tiger?” by Frank Stockton Essay

Introduction, works cited.

The dilemma of a difficult and dramatic moral choice has long been known to captivate the human mind, and writers know this well. The short story The Lady or the Tiger? By Frank R. Stockton is a perfect example of an almost quintessential dilemma on the most thrilling of choices: the one which involves love and death. The story is set in an unspecified land ruled by a semi-barbaric king and describes a peculiar legal procedure invented by him based on his own understanding of justice: an arena where the convicts are tried. Instead of the trial by battle, the accused are offered to choose one of two doors: behind one, a fierce tiger awaits to kill the unfortunate human, and behind the other – salvation in the form of a lady who would become his wife.

However, once the lover of the king’s daughter is given the dreadful choice, the princess secretly interferes with the chance and gives the man a hint to open the door on the right. And while it is tempting and comforting to consider the possibility of her sparing his life instead of directing him to his death, upon closer inspection there is little doubt that she has guided him to the tiger.

It is tempting to imagine that she wanted to save him. But this version is mostly driven by the reader’s humanity. The text, on the other hand, offers little backing to the happy ending. We know that the princess loves the man dearly. We also witness her hesitation at the end of the story. She hesitates to imagine the “cruel fangs of the tiger” (4).

However, these are not her thoughts. Instead, they are speculations by the author. And this short part is the only proof of her compassion. She is passionate, there is no doubt about it. But her passion is burning, not heart-warming. She is determined, but mostly for her own sake, not for him.

On the other hand, her barbaric nature is prominent throughout the story. She is resolute about making things go her way. For instance, she obtains the secret of the doors with “gold, and the power of a woman’s will” (3). A whole paragraph is devoted to her anguish and jealousy triggered by other girl’s mere glances at her man. She thinks he even returns them. However, she acknowledges that all this may exist only in her imagination.

Besides, she did not come to the trial to support the man – she was “terribly interested” (3). There is even a phrase “She had lost him, but who should have him?” (4). It clearly shows that for her there is no happy ending. She does not show any respect for his life. In her eyes, the choice is between redemption and a tantalizing “justice”. The latter will become the salvation to him and the torture to her.

The princess is truly the daughter of a barbaric king. She displays all the features that suggest power, determination, calculation, and passion. It is humanity and compassion that she is lacking, at least on the pages of the story. But power and courage are not enough to overcome the desire for vengeance if the heart lacks warmth. If by any chance it was the lady whom the man found behind the right door, it could be only by chance or a momentary burst of passion. If on the other hand, the princess acted upon a long-thought-out decision (and we are told by the author that she did), there is little doubt which decision it was: the tiger.

Stockton, Frank. The Lady or the Tiger? , 1882. Web.

National Identity in "Song of Solomon" by Morrison
"It's Your Ship" by D. Michael Abrashoff
An Adventure with My Pet Pit-Bull Dog “Tiger”
“The Tiger” and “The Lamb” Poems by William Blake
Princess Cleves and her Psychical Statues
Racism and Prejudice: “Gone With the Wind“ and "The Help"
"Tiny Beautiful Things" by Cheryl Strayed
“Beloved“ a Novel by Toni Morrison: Analysis
Qualities in “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” by O’Connor
“The Giver”: Novel by Lowry and Film by Noyce
Chicago (A-D)
Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2020, September 13). "The Lady, or the Tiger?" by Frank Stockton. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-lady-or-the-tiger-by-frank-stockton/

""The Lady, or the Tiger?" by Frank Stockton." IvyPanda , 13 Sept. 2020, ivypanda.com/essays/the-lady-or-the-tiger-by-frank-stockton/.

IvyPanda . (2020) '"The Lady, or the Tiger?" by Frank Stockton'. 13 September.

IvyPanda . 2020. ""The Lady, or the Tiger?" by Frank Stockton." September 13, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-lady-or-the-tiger-by-frank-stockton/.

1. IvyPanda . ""The Lady, or the Tiger?" by Frank Stockton." September 13, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-lady-or-the-tiger-by-frank-stockton/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . ""The Lady, or the Tiger?" by Frank Stockton." September 13, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-lady-or-the-tiger-by-frank-stockton/.

To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
As a template for you assignment

Home — Essay Samples — Literature — The Lady and The Tiger — The Lady and The Tiger Summary and Analysis

The Lady and The Tiger Summary and Analysis

Categories: The Lady and The Tiger

About this sample

Words: 625 |

Published: Sep 6, 2023

Words: 625 | Page: 1 | 4 min read

The kingdom of justice, the love triangle, the moral dilemma, themes and symbolism, conclusion: an enduring enigma.

Cite this Essay

To export a reference to this article please select a referencing style below:

Let us write you an essay from scratch

450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Verified writer

Expert in: Literature

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

2.5 pages / 1208 words

2.5 pages / 1035 words

2 pages / 1008 words

6 pages / 2830 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on The Lady and The Tiger

The poem "On The Subway" by Sharon Olds is a powerful and thought-provoking piece that delves into the complex emotions and experiences of individuals riding the subway. Through vivid imagery and stark contrasts, Olds captures [...]

In the realm of literature and moral dilemmas, the lady and the tiger has become an iconic phrase representing a complex decision that carries profound consequences. This phrase originates from a timeless short story by Frank R. [...]

In Frank R. Stockton's short story, "The Lady or The Tiger," readers are presented with a perplexing moral dilemma that has sparked debates and discussions for generations. This essay delves into the depths of this literary work [...]

Frank R. Stockton's short story, "The Lady or The Tiger," is a literary masterpiece that skillfully employs various literary devices to captivate the reader's imagination. This essay embarks on an in-depth analysis of the [...]

War, deeply intertwined with human existence, overshadows action with impasse and ideals with sterility. Although war results in the facade of victory for one side, no true winner exists, because under this triumphant semblance [...]

In George Orwell's 1984, the differences and relationships between the proles, the Outer Party, and the Inner Party reflect different aspects of human nature and the various levels of the human psyche. The most base, savage [...]

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

Instructions Followed To The Letter
Deadlines Met At Every Stage
Unique And Plagiarism Free