The Lady, or the Tiger? Frank R. Stockton: Summary & Analysis
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'The Lady, or the Tiger?' is a renowned short story authored by Frank R. Stockton (1834-1902), captivating readers with its gripping narrative and thought-provoking theme. Originally shared as an anecdote at a party, the tale garnered significant praise from Stockton's friends, leading to its publication in The Century magazine in 1882. The story presents an ancient system of justice where a suspected criminal must face an enigmatic choice between two doors, each concealing a drastically different fate – marriage to a lady or death by a ferocious tiger. Plot Summary In a past era, a king deemed 'semi-barbaric' establishes an arena for administering justice. When a man is arrested on suspicion of a crime, he faces a peculiar dilemma in the amphitheater. Two doors stand before him, their contents veiled in mystery. Behind one door awaits a lady, specifically selected by the king as a suitable bride for the accused. Choosing this door would bind him in matrimony to the …