In the short story, when the king thinks you’ve done a crime, you are sent to an arena with two doors. Behind 1 of the doors is a fearsome tiger, the other a beautiful lady. If you choose the door with the tiger, it means a terrible death. If you pick one with the lady, you must marry her, regardless of whether you already have a wife and a family. The thing is, which one is worse, the lady or the tiger.
If the lady is behind the door, it depends on who she is. If you don’t like her, you still must marry her. Also, I think this is very rude because the lady also doesn’t get the decision to see if she wants to marry you. This is kind of sexist because the lady is a prize, instead of being regarded as a human being with her own feelings. However, if you and the lady like each other, then it is certainly better than death.
If the tiger is behind the door, there is nothing that can be done. You will die. Would you rather a miserable yet long life or death? I would choose the latter option. As Dumbledore says in Harry Potter:”After all, to the well organized mind, death is but the next great adventure.” Dying would mean you would go on to whatever is there after death. That seems more interesting than continuing to live unhappily.
I think it matters entirely on your opinion to decide which is worse. I think the lady is worse because I am a girl and also because death would get me away from that crazy, terrible, world where it doesn’t matter whether you are innocent or guilty for a crime, and you’re entire life depends on a decision of which door. I think we should all create our own doors in the world that lead us to happiness, instead of the black and white doors of marriage or death. Everyone deserves a full life, and you’re life can’t be full if you’re unhappy.
In conclusion, I would rather die than be unhappy for my whole life, and I would want to see what is after death. This is a really interesting story that makes you think a lot about your choices, and whether you made the write decision.