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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Student Question

What does "genial" mean in "The Lady, or the Tiger?"

Quick answer:

In "The Lady, or the Tiger?" the word "genial" means friendly and easygoing. However, its use in the story is ironic or sarcastic, as it describes the king, who is actually the opposite of genial. A genuinely genial person would not create a system as cruel as the king's "lady or tiger" trial. The story uses this word to highlight the king's deceptive nature.

Expert Answers

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The word "genial" just means friendly and easy going.

A genial person makes you feel comfortable when you are around them just because that is how their personality is.

I can see where you would be confused about this given the way the word is used in the story to describe the king.  In this story, the words "genial" and "bland" are being used in a sarcastic or ironic way.  The king is not at all like that.  He is, in fact, pretty much the opposite.

A person who is truly genial and bland would not really devise a system like the king's lady or tiger system.

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