Intermediate
story
In the ancient days, there lived a semi-barbaric king, whose ideas, although somewhat refined by his progressive Latin neighbors, were still grandiose, vivid, and unrestricted, as befitted his half-barbaric nature. He was a man of wild imagination and, with his irresistible authority, he turned his varied whims into reality. Given to deep self-reflection, once he reached a decision, it was executed without question. When everything in his kingdom ran smoothly, he was genial and mild; but if anything went awry, he became even more genial, for he delighted in resolving problems and smoothing out difficulties.
One of the notions he adopted from his more civilized neighbors was the idea of a public arena, where exhibitions of valor refined the minds of his subjects. But the king's arena served a unique purpose, shaped by his extravagant and barbaric vision. This vast amphitheater, with its galleries, mysterious vaults, and unseen passages, was a place of poetic justice, where crime was punished or virtue rewarded by the decrees of impartial and incorruptible chance.
When a subject committed a crime significant enough to attract the king's interest, an announcement was made that on a specified day, the accused's fate would be decided in the arena. This structure, although its design was borrowed from afar, was the brainchild of the king, who owed no allegiance to any tradition other than his own fancy.
Once all the people had gathered in the galleries and the king, surrounded by his court, was seated on his throne, a door beneath him would open, and the accused would step into the amphitheater. Opposite him were two doors, identical and side by side. The accused had to choose and open one of these doors. Behind one door awaited a fierce, hungry tiger, which would spring out and tear him to pieces as punishment for his guilt. The moment this happened, mournful iron bells would clang, and the audience, with bowed heads and heavy hearts, would leave the arena in sorrow.
If the accused opened the other door, a beautiful lady would emerge, chosen to be a perfect match for the accused. They would be married on the spot as a reward for his innocence, regardless of any prior marital commitments or personal affections. The wedding ceremony, conducted by a priest and accompanied by choristers and dancers, would take place immediately in the arena, with joyous brass bells and the people's cheerful hurrahs.
This semi-barbaric method of justice was perceived as perfectly fair. The accused did not know which door concealed the lady or the tiger, ensuring that his fate was determined solely by chance. The uncertainty of whether they would witness a bloody execution or a joyful wedding made these events popular and entertaining.
The king had a daughter as radiant as his wildest dreams, with a passionate and imperious soul. She was the apple of his eye, loved above all others. Among the king's courtiers was a young man of noble character but lowly status, who dared to love the princess. Their love was strong and ardent, flourishing until the king discovered it. Enraged, he imprisoned the young man and set a date for his trial in the arena.
The princess, deeply in love and consumed by the situation, used her influence to discover what lay behind each door. She learned which door concealed the tiger and which hid the lady, a maiden she despised for her beauty and the attention she had shown the princess's lover.
On the day of the trial, the arena was packed with people. The king and his court took their places opposite the twin doors. The young man entered the arena, tall and handsome, his presence stirring admiration and anxiety. He bowed to the king but looked only at the princess. She, pale and anxious, subtly signaled to him which door to choose.
He trusted her completely and opened the door she indicated. Now, the question arises: did the tiger come out, or did the lady?
This question, dear reader, is for you to ponder. Consider the fierce emotions within the princess: her love, jealousy, and desperation. What decision did she make in that crucial moment? Which came out of the door—the lady, or the tiger?
Words and Idioms
Study it with Flashcard
semi-barbaric (adjective) - partially uncivilized and wild
grandiose (adjective) - impressive and magnificent in appearance or style
unrestricted (adjective) - not limited or controlled
extravagant (adjective) - lacking restraint in spending money or using resources
poetic justice (phrase) - a fitting or deserved retribution for one's actions
incorruptible (adjective) - not susceptible to corruption or bribery
amphitheater (noun) - a round or oval building with a central space for the presentation of dramatic or sporting events
valor (noun) - great courage in the face of danger
genial (adjective) - friendly and cheerful
allegiance (noun) - loyalty or commitment to a superior or group
decree (noun) - an official order issued by a legal authority
affection (noun) - a gentle feeling of fondness or liking
ornamented (adjective) - made more attractive by adding decorative details
imperious (adjective) - assuming power or authority without justification
ardent (adjective) - enthusiastic or passionate
consumed (verb) - to be completely absorbed or engaged
ponder (verb) - to think about something carefully, especially before making a decision
desperation (noun) - a state of despair, typically one which results in rash or extreme behavior
unforeseen (adjective) - not anticipated or predicted
inevitable (adjective) - certain to happen; unavoidable
ornate (adjective) - elaborately or highly decorated
bland (adjective) - lacking strong features or characteristics and therefore uninteresting
exuberant (adjective) - filled with lively energy and excitement
reveries (noun) - a state of being pleasantly lost in one's thoughts; a daydream
waver (verb) - to be undecided between two opinions or courses of action
inevitability (noun) - the quality of being certain to happen
angst (noun) - a feeling of deep anxiety or dread
ordeal (noun) - a painful or horrific experience
metaphorical (adjective) - characteristic of or relating to metaphor; figurative
retribution (noun) - punishment inflicted on someone as vengeance for a wrong or criminal act
mournful (adjective) - feeling, expressing, or inducing sadness, regret, or grief
enamored (adjective) - be filled with a feeling of love for
imperative (adjective) - of vital importance; crucial
consummate (adjective) - showing a high degree of skill and flair; complete or perfect
despair (noun) - the complete loss or absence of hope
exquisite (adjective) - extremely beautiful and delicate
Questions
1. What was the primary function of the king's arena?
a) To host gladiator battles for entertainment
b) To train soldiers for the royal army
c) To administer justice through chance
d) To celebrate royal festivals
2. Why was the young man brought to the king's arena?
a) He committed a crime against the king
b) He stole from the royal treasury
c) He fell in love with the princess
d) He disobeyed a royal decree
3. How did the princess find out what lay behind each door?
a) She guessed based on her intuition
b) She bribed and used her influence to discover the secret
c) She asked the king directly
d) She overheard a conversation between the guards
4. What emotion primarily motivated the princess's actions during the trial?
a) Compassion
b) Fear
c) Jealousy
d) Indifference
5. What does the arena symbolize in the story?
a) The king’s wisdom and fairness
b) The unpredictability and duality of fate
c) The princess's love for the young man
d) The wealth and power of the kingdom
6. What does the tiger represent in the context of the story?
a) Innocence and purity
b) Fear and punishment
c) Wealth and prosperity
d) Love and happiness
AP-Test Style Writing Topics
1. Analyze the concept of justice as portrayed in "The Lady, or the Tiger?". Discuss how the king's method of administering justice reflects the cultural and societal norms of his kingdom, and whether it can be considered fair or unjust. Support your analysis with specific examples from the text.
2. Examine the internal conflict of the princess in "The Lady, or the Tiger?". How does her struggle between love and jealousy drive the narrative forward? Discuss how Stockton uses this conflict to explore broader themes of human nature and moral ambiguity.
3. Discuss the role of fate and free will in "The Lady, or the Tiger?". How does the story challenge the characters' ability to control their destinies? Consider the significance of the choices made by the princess and the young man, and how these choices reflect the overarching message of the story.
Answer Keys
1. c) To administer justice through chance
2. c) He fell in love with the princess
3. b) She bribed and used her influence to discover the secret
4. c) Jealousy
5. b) The unpredictability and duality of fate
6. b) Fear and punishment
Sample AP-Test Style Writing
1. The concept of justice in "The Lady, or the Tiger?" is a complex blend of barbarism and fairness. The king's method of administering justice through chance reflects the cultural and societal norms of his semi-barbaric kingdom, where the lines between civilization and savagery blur. The arena, with its dual doors, embodies the unpredictable nature of fate, leaving the accused's destiny to chance rather than to a rational legal process. This method can be viewed as fair in its impartiality—everyone faces the same odds, regardless of their crime or status. However, it is also inherently unjust because it disregards the individual's circumstances and motivations.
The king's justice system hinges on the idea that fate, rather than reason or evidence, should determine guilt or innocence. This approach reflects a societal norm that values spectacle and dramatic outcomes over rational deliberation. The people of the kingdom find entertainment in the uncertainty of whether they will witness a gruesome execution or a joyful wedding, suggesting a cultural fascination with the macabre and the unpredictable.
From one perspective, the king's system is fair because it treats all accused individuals equally, subjecting them to the same random process. However, this fairness is superficial. The method is arbitrary and ignores the nuances of justice, such as intent and context. The young man in the story is not on trial for a heinous crime but for loving the princess—an offense that, in a more civilized society, would not merit such a dire outcome. The king's justice is thus exposed as a veneer of fairness masking a fundamentally flawed system.
In conclusion, the king's method of justice in "The Lady, or the Tiger?" reflects the cultural and societal norms of his kingdom, blending elements of fairness and barbarism. While it can be argued that the system is fair in its impartiality, it ultimately proves unjust in its disregard for individual circumstances and the arbitrary nature of its outcomes. The story critiques this form of justice, highlighting the moral and ethical ambiguities inherent in such a system.
2. The princess's internal conflict between love and jealousy is the central driving force of the narrative in "The Lady, or the Tiger?". This struggle is not merely a personal dilemma but a profound exploration of human nature and moral ambiguity. The princess is torn between her deep love for the young man and her intense jealousy toward the lady who might become his bride. This conflict propels the story to its climactic moment and underscores the complexity of human emotions.
Stockton masterfully uses the princess's internal struggle to illustrate the duality of human nature. On one hand, the princess's love for the young man is genuine and powerful, compelling her to find out what lies behind each door to save him. On the other hand, her jealousy is equally potent, fueled by the fear of losing him to another woman. This duality makes her character relatable and real, as readers recognize the internal battles between noble and base instincts within themselves.
The princess's dilemma also highlights the theme of moral ambiguity. Her decision, whether to direct her lover to the door with the lady or the tiger, is fraught with ethical implications. If she chooses the lady, she loses him to another, which is a fate almost as unbearable as his death. If she chooses the tiger, she spares herself the pain of seeing him with someone else but condemns him to a gruesome death. Stockton leaves the resolution ambiguous, forcing readers to grapple with the moral complexities and make their own judgments.
Through the princess's conflict, Stockton explores the broader themes of love, jealousy, and the unpredictable nature of human decisions. The story's unresolved ending invites readers to consider the lengths one might go to for love and the destructive power of jealousy. It suggests that human emotions are not easily categorized into right and wrong, and that moral decisions often reside in a gray area where the lines between virtue and vice blur.
In conclusion, the princess's internal conflict in "The Lady, or the Tiger?" drives the narrative forward and serves as a vehicle for exploring deeper themes of human nature and moral ambiguity. Stockton's portrayal of her struggle between love and jealousy offers a poignant reflection on the complexities of the human heart and the often ambiguous nature of moral choices.
3. "The Lady, or the Tiger?" intricately weaves the themes of fate and free will, challenging the characters' ability to control their destinies. The story's setting—a semi-barbaric kingdom where justice is determined by chance—places the accused at the mercy of fate, yet the decisions made by the princess and the young man highlight the enduring power of free will.
The young man's fate is ostensibly determined by the king's arbitrary system. Upon entering the arena, he must choose between two doors, one concealing a deadly tiger and the other a fair lady. This setup seems to leave his destiny to random chance, embodying the theme of fate. However, the princess's actions introduce the element of free will. By using her influence to discover what lies behind each door, she exerts control over the otherwise random outcome. Her knowledge gives her the power to influence her lover's fate, illustrating how human agency can intersect with seemingly predetermined events.
The young man's choice to trust the princess also underscores the theme of free will. Despite the uncertainty, he relies on her signal to guide him, demonstrating his belief in her love and judgment. This decision, while influenced by the princess's prior actions, ultimately rests with him, highlighting the role of individual choice in the face of fate.
Stockton's story challenges the notion of absolute destiny by showing how personal choices shape outcomes. The princess's internal conflict—whether to direct her lover to safety or doom—reflects the broader human struggle between competing desires and ethical dilemmas. Her ultimate decision, hinted at but never revealed, emphasizes the complexity of free will and its impact on one's fate.
The interplay between fate and free will in the story underscores a central message: while external forces may shape the circumstances, individuals retain the power to make choices that influence their destinies. Stockton suggests that human agency is not entirely eclipsed by fate; instead, it operates within a framework of unpredictable events, allowing characters to navigate their paths through decisions driven by love, jealousy, and morality.
In conclusion, "The Lady, or the Tiger?" presents a nuanced exploration of fate and free will. The story challenges the characters' ability to control their destinies through the significant choices made by the princess and the young man. Stockton's narrative illustrates that while fate may set the stage, the power of human choice remains a potent force in determining one's destiny.
All rights reserved by 비투게더
SAT, ACT, TOEFL, MAP, AP, IB, SSAT 과외는 과외의 모든 것
비투게더(www.betogether.co.kr.)에서! 지금 유명 강사진을 꼭 확인하세요!
Do you want to study more with teachers?
Click the email link and ask me anything you want. then I will give you more information and help you find a good-fit teacher.
'Read together > ShortStories' 카테고리의 다른 글
| The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell (Intermediate) (0) | 2024.07.15 |
|---|---|
| The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell (Pre-Intermediate) (0) | 2024.07.13 |
| The Lady, or the Tiger? by Frank Stockton (Pre-Intermediate) (0) | 2024.07.09 |
| The Sniper by Liam O'Flaherty (Intermediate) (0) | 2024.07.05 |
| The Sniper by Liam O'Flaherty (Pre-Intermediate) (0) | 2024.07.03 |
