Lesson 3: "The Lady, or the Tiger?"

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Lesson 3: "The Lady, or the Tiger?"

The short story "The Lady, or the Tiger?" was written by American writer Frank Stockton and was first published in 1882 in a magazine called The Century. Since its publication over a century ago, this short story has continued to provoke debate over the dilemma it presents.

The story takes place a long time ago in a mythical kingdom. Its king is described as being "semi-barbaric," and his methods of punishment seem arbitrary. If someone in the kingdom is accused of a crime, he is subjected to a trial by ordeal. This trial takes place in an arena that has two doors. The subject must open one of the two doors. If he opens one door, he is met by a ferocious tiger that will immediately devour him, thus proving his guilt. If he opens the other door, he is met by a beautiful lady whom he must marry, thus proving his innocence. 

As often happens in these stories, the king has a beautiful daughter who falls in love with a young man. When their secret love affair is discovered, this handsome young man is cast into prison, where he awaits the trial by ordeal in the arena.

Lesson 3: Guiding Questions

As you read "The Lady, or the Tiger?" I would like you to consider these guiding questions that are related to our study of postmodernist literature, especially the question of why there are such different sides to human nature: 

1. The king's form of justice is described as "impartial." Is this an accurate description? How does this compare with your own concepts of justice?  
2. When the young man comes to the arena at the end of the story, what does his response to her indicate about his relationship with her?
3. The story also describes the jealousy of the princess. She loves the handsome young man, but believes she has seen a lady from the court casting glances at her young man. For this reason, the princess hates the young lady. The princess has also learned that the young lady stands hidden behind one of the two doors, and if the young man opens the right door, he will be married to this beautiful lady. The princess agonizes whether or not to reveal this secret to her lover when he comes into the arena? What does this story say about the princess's heart?
4. The story asks the question: "Did the tiger come out of that door, or the lady?" However, the story answers that question with a riddle: "The more we reflect upon this question, the harder it is to answer. It involves a study of the human heart which leads us through devious mazes of passion, out of which it is difficult to find our way." Therefore, what does the story say about human nature? 
5. When the prince opens the door, do you believe he meets the tiger or the lady? Argue your point with evidence from the text. 
6. What does the tiger seem to symbolize in this short story and also Blake's poem, "The Tyger"? Predict what this symbol might mean in Life of Pi. 

Lesson 3: Readings and Instructions

Read "The Lady, or the Tiger?" by Frank Stockton. 

Lesson 3: Assignment-Forum Post 2

Now that you have read "The Lady, or the Tiger?" I want you to consider the guiding questions for today's lesson as you write your first forum post. 

Place your second forum post below. These are the rules for your forum post: 

1. Post an original question designed to provoke discussion with your classmates.
2. Comment on at least one of your classmates' original posts about the poems.
3. Always give evidence from the text when you ask questions or when you respond to a classmate.

I will be grading the quality and depth of both your questions and responses with the same grading rubric that was posted in Lesson 2. (10 points for original post; 10 points for follow-up response)

I will be grading the quality and depth of both your questions and responses with the same grading rubric that was posted in Lesson 2. 

Lesson 3: Begin Forum Discussion Over "The Lady, or the Tiger?" Here