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I love the ambiguity of the ending in this short story because it sparks such a great discussion at the end about which one the princess actually chose to send her lover to. My students were so upset that the story never tells you. I explained to them that when Stockton first wrote the story he got the same angry reaction from readers. When he finally decided to come forward and talk about the ending everyone was on the edge of their seats waiting to hear, but all he told them was that whichever the reader thinks she chose will speak volumes about the type of person you are. Well, many students offered at that point to change their answers so that they appeared to be merciful and unselfish. I told them that when I was in high school I would have sent him straight into the jaws of the tiger, but now that I am older I wouldn't. I would be interested to hear what you think. Most of my students felt that Stockton had more evidence in the story to suggest that she would choose the tiger (i.e. she is semi-barbaric like her father, she didn't like the girl chosen and was already jealous). Do you agree or do you think that Stockton left more evidence to suggest that she chose to let him live? Do you think he gave equal amounts of evidence in either direction? What would you choose? Posted by clane on Nov 17, 2007. |
The Lady, or the Tiger? Group
