The Lady, or the Tiger? Choosing Between Love and Jealousy.
The Lady, or the Tiger? is a classic short story written by Frank R. Stockton, originally published in 1882. Stockton is known for this piece of work, and it is easy to see why.
This story presents you with a question. A question that burns into your memory and won’t let you forget it, even when years have passed.
This marvelous piece of work will make you think. If you enjoy a quick read full of suspense, this story is for you. If you don’t like tales that have less-than-happy endings, you will want to avoid this one.
Now, a synopsis. Be forewarned, there will be complete spoilers from here on out. (Here is a link to the free e-book if you wish to read The Lady, or the Tiger?)
A long time ago there was a semi-barbaric king with a unique way of judging the guilt or innocence of his subjects. The accused is put into an arena and forced to choose between two doors. Behind one is a starving tiger. Behind the other is a carefully selected lady. The accused opens a door and is immediately killed by the tiger or married to the lady.
The king discovers that his daughter has a lover of lower status. He throws the young man into prison and calls for a trial. Before the judgment day comes, the princess discovers which door will hide the tiger, and which the lady.
The princess also knows the lady who was chosen. The princess has seen, or imagined she has seen, this lady casting looks of admiration on the young man. It has caused the princess to burn with jealousy. Her thoughts are consumed with the outcome of the trial. How terrible would it be to watch her lover die? How much worse would it be to watch him marry this lady, to hear the celebrating trumpets, to see the stark joy on his face at having escaped death, and to watch, helpless, as he leads his new bride away?
The day of judgment comes. The young man walks out over the sands. He turns to face the princess and says, “Which?”. She lifts her right hand, and the young man turns without hesitation to open the door she indicates.
This leaves us with the question: “Which came out of the opened door – the lady, or the tiger?”
We are inclined to answer the question as we would have chosen. People argue over what the correct answer is. But what if Stockton never intended for there to be one right answer? He never hinted at what it could be before he died. At the end of the story he turns his writing outward, to the reader, to ask the question.
He has handed us a mirror. Would you do what is morally right or follow carnal nature? Are you a cynic, or an optimist?
This leads to what could be the core of the question. Which emotion is stronger; love, or jealousy? Love leads to giving the young man life, despite the depth of your personal loss. Jealousy leads to the tiger and death.
This story beautifully portrays the human mind and heart, and the wars waged between contradictory emotions. It makes us look to ourselves and ask…
Love, or jealousy? …The Lady, or the Tiger?
What do you think was behind the door?
Just B. Jordan is an award-winning author of fantasy and sci-fi. She graduated high school a year early and received her first publishing contract at the age of 18. To Ashes We Run is her most recent novel. Find it here.
Jennette Mbewe
I loved that story. I read it so long ago! Probably before I preferred happy endings. Ha! I’d like to think the princess chose the lady. ;-)
The essence of this story reminds me a lot of The Mummy and The Mummy Returns. Much of the story behind the Mummy’s motives was his love for the Pharaoh’s daughter, and what he believed was her love for him. Their relationship and Evie and Rick’s set up such a great contrast of love verses lust. Love those movies! :-)
Just B. Jordan
Haha! I prefer happy endings too, but stories like this always get me.
I haven’t watched those movies before! I’ll have to see them. I love contrasts, and the love/lust one sounds interesting. I’ve noticed that a lot of people don’t seem to understand that they’re entirely separate things. I appreciate it when a story gives the subject a nod. :)
Gilbert H. Ludwig
I too loved “The Lady or the Tiger” when I read it many, many years ago.
It seems to me the puzzle of it hinges on maybe that one word — “semi-barbaric” — the descriptive term for the kingdom where it takes place. Especially on the “semi” aspect. The place is somewhat civilized, i.e. sensitive. But not too civilized. Still somewhat INsensitive.
That description sets the tone for the pretty much inevitable toss-up kind of “resolution.”
Yes, a truly great tale.