THE LADY OR THE TIGER?

Frank Stockton

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Learning outcomes
At the end of this lesson, you should be able

to:
1. Analyze and interpret literary elements

present in the short story through the QCOC approach 2. Vocalize your thoughts on the issues present in the short story through discussion sessions
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PRE DISCUSSION EXERCISE

Find the answers to the answers to the following questions from

the short story

1. Where did the king sit in the arena? 2. Did the tiger come out of the same door each 'trial'? 3. Did the princess like the lady who had been chosen for her 4. 5. 6.

7.

lover's 'trial'? Give reasons. How did the princess indicate to her lover the door of her choice? What had the princess seen in her dreams? Did the princess expect her lover to ask her to indicate which door he should choose? Why did no one else in the arena notice that the princess was communicating with her lover?

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ANALYSIS OF CHARACTERS
King - Antagonist

Characteristics: Semi- barbaric, cruel, unforgiving, authoritative but at the same time mild and warm in nature, strict, fair/just
Princess - Antagonist

Characteristics: passionate and domineering This semi-barbaric

king had a daughter as blooming as his most florid fancies, and with a soul as fervent and imperious as his own.

Young man Protagonist

Characteristics: handsome, brave, adored the princess

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ANALYSIS OF PLOT
The King becomes aware that his daughter,

the princess is in love with one of his subjects, a common person. Portraying himself to be a fair King, he summons the young man to the arena to determine his fate : LIFE vs DEATH LIFE- rewarded in the form of marriage with a beautiful young maiden also a subject DEATH- mauled to death by a tiger
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ANALYSIS OF PLOT
The princess who is also summoned to

witness the destiny of the young man, is instrumental to his survival.

The climax of the story is reached when the

princess indicates to the young man which door he should open in the arena.
However, readers are left to guess which

door the princess indicated to the young man.

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ANALYSIS OF SETTING
SETTING OF TIME:
Setting of time indicated as In the very olden time-

Medieval Times

SETTING OF PLACE
A kingdom neighbouring a Latin country

The arena in which the young mans destiny is

determined
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INTERPRETATION OF THEMES
Love

Loyalty to king
Jealousy Power

Social status
Cruelty

Provide instances of the above themes from the actions and events that take place in the short story.

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INTERPRETATION OF SYMBOLS
The King

The tiger
The young maiden The arena The princess

What do the above symbols symbolize?

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VOCABULARY ENRICHMENT
Find the meaning of the following words: Emanated - ORIGINATED Retribution - REVENGE, VENGENCE Impartial NEUTRAL, FAIR Aesthetic - ARTISTIC Moiety - PORTION Epithalamic - BELONGING TO, DESIGNED FOR What is the meaning of the following phrases: a) "The apple of his eye.- One that is treasured - AN IDIOM b) "Poetic justice." - The rewarding of virtue (GOOD VALUES) and the punishment of vice

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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Apply the QCOC approach to the following discussion questions: The princess would have pointed to the door of the room which held the tiger. Vs. The princess would have pointed to the door of the room which held the young maiden.
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Island 1: The princess would have pointed to the door of the room which held the tiger. Vs. Island 2: The princess would have pointed to the door of the room which held the young maiden.

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THE END

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