The Lady or the Tiger

Frank R. Stockton

Frank Stockton was a major literary figure in the United States at the height of his success. Though he wrote countless stories, novels, and nonfiction, he is primarily known for one story, “The Lady, or the Tiger.” Poet Robert Browning even wrote a poem about the ending, and scholars continued to debate the issue.

BEFORE READING Read the title of the story. Based

on the title and the author’s biography, make a prediction about what the story is going to be.

Which is the stronger emotion, love or jealousy?

Dramatic Plot Structure

During a plot’s exposition, the author gives background information about the story and introduces the story’s characters and setting.

Rising action is the series of events that lead up to the climax.

The falling action follows the climax and describes the results of the climax.

The resolution, or denouement, comes at the end of the falling action.

The climax is a story’s most dramatic and revealing moment. It usually comes near the end of a story and satisfies the reader’s curiosity about what happens. It is the Ah-Ha moment!

A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND

During the Middle Ages in England, guilt or innocence was decided through a practice known as an ordeal. An accused person was physically tested, and the outcome determined guilt or innocence. The accusers believed that supernatural forces controlled what happened.

The plot of this story focuses on the emotions of one young princess and her “semi-barbaric” father. Most of the setting takes place in an arena or ampitheater, much like the gladiators of Ancient Rome.

The story created such a dilemma that the newspaper that originally printed it was overrun by letters from readers who demanded to know the ending. (Frank Stockton never supplied the ending, nor did he ever hint at what he believed happened to the young man.)

SURPRISING REACTION

After ReadingMost stories end by telling the readers that happened, but this story lets the readers decide. What is your opinion of this type of ending? Cite evidence to support your opinion.

Why has this story stood the test of time?

The Lady, or the Tiger

Write an alternate ending to the story while including a resolution to the major conflict . Stay true to the characters and use descriptive language mimicking the author’s style.