Would you let your lover perish at the claws of a vicious tiger, or let him be married to your sworn enemy? The Lady, or the Tiger?, by Frank R. Stockton is about a princess who had to make the decision for her forbidden lover. The question is, was it the lady or the tiger?
This story takes place in a semi-barbaric kingdom, where someone accused of a crime will be able to choose between two doors; one opens to a savage tiger while the other opens to a beautiful maiden whom you will marry immediately. This trial determines if one is guilty or innocent by chance, unlike modern times. This happened to the princess’s lover and he let her decide his fate as she knew what each door held. At the end of the story, we know that the princess pointed to the door on the right, but we don’t know what was behind it.
Before this event, the princess “had thought of nothing, night or day, but this great event and the various subjects connected with it.” Let’s say that the princess chose the one with the tiger. It’s stated that she loved her lover a lot, so why would she lead him to his death? However, the maiden behind one of the doors is one that the princess hates a lot, as the princess suspects she to steal her lover. Even if she doesn’t want him to die, he’ll marry another lady and they’ll still be separated from each other.
I believe that the princess chose the door with the tiger in it. Both of the doors would lead to her not being able to be with him again. If she chose the one with the maiden, she would still need to bear the pain of having her lover marry someone else. However, if she chose the one with the tiger, she’ll still grieve a lot but they will eventually be reunited in the afterlife. This kingdom is also “half-barbaric” so even though they aren’t as heartless, they still accept killing.
The content of the door on the right was never revealed so it is up to the readers to decide what the princess chose. Was it the lady … or the tiger?