1. In response to questions about the conclusion of "The Lady or the Tiger?," Stockton remarked: "If you decide which it was—the lady, or the tiger, you find out what kind of a person you are yourself." What do you think he meant by this statement?

2. Compare a short story by the American author O. Henry, known for his twist endings, to "The Lady or the Tiger?" Which story do you consider more ingenious, and why?

3. Stockton was one of the most celebrated and popular American writers of the late 19th century. What factors contributed to the decline in popularity of his works?

4. Compare and contrast Stockton's writing style with that of another 19th-century American humorist, such as Mark Twain, Joel Chandler Harris, or Bret Harte.

5. Read "The Discourager of Hesitancy," Stockton's 1885 sequel to "The Lady or the Tiger?" How does the sequel enhance your understanding of the original story?