In Frank R. Stockton's short story "The Lady, or the Tiger?", the ending is deliberately ambiguous, leaving it open to interpretation whether the outcome is the lady or the tiger. However, if we lean towards the tiger, several arguments can be made.
First, the story centers on the idea of jealousy and the psychological turmoil of the king's daughter. She is deeply in love with a young man who has been caught in a forbidden romance with her. If we assume she has a possessive nature, she may prefer the brutal certainty of the tiger over the possibility of her lover being with another woman, even a lady she might despise.
Furthermore, the story explores themes of human nature, choice, and the unpredictability of fate. By choosing the tiger, we might suggest that the darker aspects of humanity—jealousy, anger, and vengeance—ultimately prevail over love and hope.
Thus, if we conclude that the tiger comes out, it can symbolize the darker realities of emotional turmoil and the consequences of a jealous heart. This interpretation resonates with the story's exploration of the struggles between love, desire, and the inherent unpredictability of choices.
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