The Lady or the Tiger: The 1884 Classic Short Story (Annotated)

The Lady or the Tiger: The 1884 Classic Short Story (Annotated)

Unique Elements Detailed 19th Century Historical Timeline Experience this timeless tale, where every page unfolds into a world of adventure and wonder. Synopsis: The Lady, or the Tiger by American author Frank Richard Stockton is a fascinating short story originally published in 1884. In ancient times, a king implemented a justice system where guilt or innocence was decided by chance. When a person committed a crime of interest to the king, they were brought to the amphitheater, and the accused had to open one of two identical doors. Behind one was a hungry tiger, while behind the other was a beautiful woman whom the accused would marry as a reward for their innocence. The king's daughter fell in love with a commoner, and they carried on their love affair until the king discovered it. The young man was imprisoned, and a trial was set in the arena, where the lover of the princess was to choose a door. The princess, knowing which door held the tiger and which held the woman, gave a signal to the young man, but the story doesn't reveal which door he opened, leaving the reader to wonder if the princess chose to let her lover live and love another or if she decided that if she couldn't have him, no one could. Top of Form Excerpt: ‘The tiger-cages of the kingdom were searched for the most savage and relentless beasts, from which the fiercest monster might be selected for the arena; and the ranks of maiden youth and beauty throughout the land were carefully surveyed by competent judges in order that the young man might have a fitting bride in case fate did not determine for him a different destiny. Of course, everybody knew that the deed with which the accused was charged had been done. He had loved the princess, and neither he, she, nor any one else, thought of denying the fact; but the king would not think of allowing any fact of this kind to interfere with the workings of the tribunal, in which he took such great delight and satisfaction. No matter how the affair turned out, the youth would be disposed of, and the king would take an aesthetic pleasure in watching the course of events, which would determine whether or not the young man had done wrong in allowing himself to love the princess.’ A Beautiful Reprint At Ginger Classics , we take every step possible to ensure that the original integrity of this book has been upheld to its highest standard. This means that the texts in this story are unedited and unchanged from the original author's publication, preserving its earliest form for your enjoyment.