two doorways with an elegant woman standing in one and a large tiger head in the other

The Lady, or the Tiger?

by Francis Richard Stockton

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What are the similarities and differences between the lady and the tiger in "The Lady, or the Tiger?"

Quick answer:

The lady and the tiger in "The Lady, or the Tiger?" are similar in that both represent poetic justice and guarantee a decisive outcome that changes the accused's life, either through marriage or execution. They differ in that the lady embodies a positive reward and innocence, leading to a celebratory marriage, while the tiger signifies a negative punishment, resulting in a gruesome death.

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The lady and the tiger are alike in that each is a living creature who represents poetic justice. They are alike in that their presence will have an impact that decisively changes the life of the accused. In both cases, too, the accused will have physical contact with whichever one he chooses. Both are crowd pleasers, guaranteeing the audience a spectacle, be it an execution or a wedding.

The lady and the tiger are different in that one represents good and the other evil. Choosing the door with the lady behind it leads to an unequivocally positive outcome. The accused person is declared innocent of wrongdoing and led forth to marry the lady amid a celebratory crowd. On the other hand, choosing the tiger leads to the negative outcome of being declared guilty, killed, and eaten.

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