Stockton wrote “The Lady, or the Tiger” at the dawn of the modern fantasy genre. Scottish author George MacDonald began to define the genre and its archetypes in the early to mid 1800s, and the genre that we know as “fantasy” began to solidify near the end of the Victorian era.

Behind one door is a lady whom the king has deemed an appropriate match for the accused; behind the other is a fierce, hungry tiger. Both doors are heavily soundproofed to prevent the accused from hearing what is behind each one.

A short summary of Frank R. Stockton's The Lady, or the Tiger?. This free synopsis covers all the crucial plot points of The Lady, or the Tiger?.

The Lady, or the Tiger? Frank R. Stockton In the very olden time there lived a semi-barbaric king, whose ideas, though somewhat polished and sharpened by the progressiveness of distant Latin neighbors, were still large, florid, and untrammeled, as became the half of him which was barbaric. He was a man of exuberant fancy, and, withal, of an

In ‘The Lady, or the Tiger?’, we are presented with an ancient system of justice whereby a suspected criminal has to choose one of two doors. Behind one is a lady, whom he will marry; behind the other is a tiger, which will devour him.

The Lady, or the Tiger? is one of our Favorite Fairy Tales, recommended for ages 13 to adult. It was first published in The Century in 1882, firmly establishing the subtle art of the short story to captivate readers.

Frank Stockton’s 1882 short story The Lady, or the Tiger? is a whimsical fairy tale about the dangers of choice and consequence. It involves a faithful suitor, a jealous princess, and a vengeful king.