Frank Stockton’s “The Lady or the Tiger”, is an exciting and shocking story, mostly because of its open ending. Rather than arriving at a resolution, the short story closes with an open ending, leaving readers guessing. The ending of the story was unusual and begun numerous discussions and controversies. Stockton left readers debating between two very hard choices. An answer to this infinitely confusing question is presented here, along with supporting statements.
In the short story “ The Lady or the Tiger”, there is a semi-barbaric king. The king had a strange method for the man who had fallen in love with his daughter. This man was to choose between two doors. Behind one of the doors was a savage tiger who will likely jump upon him and tear him to shreds. Behind the other was a lady, deemed appropriate by the king, whom the man shall marry. Choosing the door containing the tiger would declare the man as guilty, and send him to his death. If the man chose the door with the lady, he would be proven innocent, and is to marry the woman instantly. Based on whatever door the man chose, it would determine whether he was guilty or innocent, and whether he should live or die.
Once the barbaric king found out about his daughter’s lover, he was furious, and decided to punish the man. He sentenced the convict to the two-door method that was mentioned before. The princess that the convicted man loved was extremely beautiful, and has a similar barbaric personality to her father. When the important day came, hundreds of citizens filled the amphitheater, excited and ready to see the fate of the man. Before choosing a door, the man glanced at the princess, as though he was asking for help. She held her right hand on her lap, secretly telling the man to choose the door on the right. Earlier that day, the princess had used her power and status to find out what was behind both the doors. The man went to that door and decisively opened it. The story ends there, giving readers a choice to finish it, while leaving them wondering.
There are many clues in throughout the story that suggests that the door contained a lion. First of all, if the princess chose the door with the lady, she would have a living reminder of her bad choice. Seeing her enemy and her loved one be together everyday will surely inflict more pain on the princess than anything else. Some might say that if she kills her loved one, it would be a lot more painful than seeing him marry another woman. This may not be the case, because the princess believes in the afterlife. If she was confident they would be together even after death, then she would have no trouble killing the man she loved. Choosing the tiger door saves the princess from the pain of watching the man she loves marry another lady.
In the story, it says “This semi-barbaric king had a daughter as blooming as his most florid fancies, and with a soul as fervent and imperious as his own.” This tells readers that the princess is as barbaric as her father. To be barbaric means to be cruel and uncivil. If she chose the door with the tiger, it most likely will not faze her as much as a normal person. Moreover, if the princess truly is similar to her father, she could be having the same thought process as him. The father thinks the lover is guilty and deserves to die. Of course, it is true that in the story is clearly stated that the two were close, but if the princess truly loved the man, she would not have had such a hard time choosing. If she truly loved the man, she would never want him to get hurt in any way. Even if she believed in afterlife, true love would overcome any beliefs that she had.
Any conclusions that readers come up with will take a lot of thought and consideration. Frank Stockton’s, “The Lady or the Tiger” is like maze that it yet to be finished. The author clearly states that the princess is similar to her father. She is a woman who wants to settle down her emotions, and get justice at the same time. The short story shows many clues that can help readers find a conclusion. As a result of these subtle hints, it is safe to say that the tiger was behind that door.