The Lady, or the Tiger? by Frank R. Stockton

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The Lady, or the Tiger? by Frank R. Stockton
Feature Menu
Introducing the Story Literary Focus
Ambiguity Reading Skills Making Inferences About
Motivation
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The Lady, or the Tiger? by Frank R. Stockton
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The Lady, or the Tiger?Introducing the Story
The first requisite of civilization . . . is that
of justice. Sigmund Freud
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The Lady, or the Tiger?Introducing the Story
In this tale, a king holds public trials of
subjects accused of crimes. Their guilt or
innocence is determined by chanceby having them
open one of two doors and reveal whats behind it.

• A beautiful lady means innocence.

• A ferocious tiger means guilt.

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The Lady, or the Tiger? Literary Focus Ambiguity
Ambiguity is the quality that allows something to
be interpreted in several ways. Ambiguity in a
story

• allows for conflicting interpretations

• adds complexity

• makes the story seem more like real life

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The Lady, or the Tiger? Literary Focus Ambiguity
The ambiguous ending of The Lady, or the Tiger?
may make the story linger in your mind for days
or weeks.

• You may find yourself returning to the story
  again and again, answering the questions it poses
  differently each time.

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The Lady, or the Tiger? Reading Skills Making
Inferences About Motivation
When you read an ambiguous story, you may
need to make inferences, or educated guesses,
about the characters motivation. Think about

• what the narrator tells you about the characters

• what the characters do or say

• what you know about the way people act and think

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The Lady, or the Tiger? Reading Skills Making
Inferences About Motivation
As you read The Lady, or the Tiger? pay
close attention to the kings daughter.

• Think about how her motives relate to other
  characters.

• Make inferences about the reasons for her
  behavior.

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The Lady, or the Tiger? Background
During the Middle Ages an accused persons guilt
or innocence was often determined by a trial by
ordeal. If the person was not hurt during a
physical test, it was believed the accused was
saved from harm by God and
was therefore innocent. Those who were injured or
killed were viewed as guilty. In this story,
justice is determined in a similar way.
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Quickwrite
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The Lady, or the Tiger? Quickwrite
Make the Connection
Did you ever have to make a choice between
something that was good for you and something
that was good for someone you cared about? Are
you glad that you chose as you did? Jot down your
thoughts about making this choice.
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Vocabulary
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The Lady, or the Tiger?Vocabulary
Previewing the Vocabulary exuberant adj.
elaborate extreme also, high-spirited. genial
adj. cheerful and friendly. impartial adj.
fair unbiased. allegiance n. loyalty. procured
v. gotten obtained.
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The Lady, or the Tiger?Vocabulary
Previewing the Vocabulary dire adj.
terrible. retribution n. punishment. fervent
adj. passionate. aspiring v. used as n. seeking
to gain desiring. deliberation n. careful
thought, especially in making a decision.
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The Lady, or the Tiger?Vocabulary
Vocabulary Using Context Clues Context clues
help explain the meaning of a word. They can be
synonyms, antonyms, or examples.
1. After winning a soccer game, we feel
exuberant. (example that helps define)
2. Once in dire shape, the business is now
thriving. (antonym that contrasts)
3. We need impartial, or unbiased, jurors for the
trial. (synonym that restates)
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The Lady, or the Tiger?Vocabulary
Vocabulary Activity Using Context Clues Use
context clues to complete each sentence.
procured genial aspiring
retribution
retribution
1. The cheaters had to face _________ they were
suspended for three weeks. 2. Our instructors are
_________ and pleasant. 3. _________ to finish
college, she enrolled again and studied several
hours every day. 4. It is too late if you
havent yet _________ tickets. The performance is
sold out.
genial
Aspiring
procured
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Meet the Writer
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The Lady, or the Tiger? Meet the Writer
Frank R. Stockton (18341902) was born in
Philadelphia and worked as as a wood engraver
before beginning a career as a writer. He
eventually became a successful author of works
for adults and children. The Lady, or the
Tiger? is his best-known story.
More About the Writer
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