Question

In the very olden time there lived a semi-barbaric king, whose ideas, though somewhat polished and sharpened by the progressiveness of distant Latin neighbors, were still large, florid, and untrammeled, as became the half of him which was barbaric.

—"The Lady, or the Tiger?," Frank R. Stockton

Why does Stockton use an “olden time” setting instead of a modern one?

It allows him to use big words and fancy language.
It is more likely that a king would be cruel in an old setting.
There can’t be characters who are kings and princesses today.
A king from the past is more likely to make good decisions than a king today.

Answer 1

Stockton utilizes an "olden time" setting instead of a modern one primarily because it allows him to explore themes of cruelty, justice, and human nature in a context that emphasizes the moral ambiguity of the king's decisions. This historical setting helps to portray a society where arbitrary justice and the spectacle of punishment are accepted forms of entertainment, making the story's dilemma more impactful.

Among the options provided, the most fitting choice is:

**It is more likely that a king would be cruel in an old setting.**

This option captures the essence of a semi-barbaric king's character and the societal norms of a past era, which aligns with the themes Stockton seeks to explore in the story.