The so-called "semi-barbaric" king in Frank Stockton's short story "The Lady or the Tiger" has worked out what he thinks is the perfect system of justice. In the king's plan, the accused presents himself before the king and the townspeople in an arena. Inside the arena are two doors, and the accused is told to choose one of the doors.
He has no way of knowing which one to choose. What he does know is...
The so-called "semi-barbaric" king in Frank Stockton's short story "The Lady or the Tiger" has worked out what he thinks is the perfect system of justice. In the king's plan, the accused presents himself before the king and the townspeople in an arena. Inside the arena are two doors, and the accused is told to choose one of the doors.
He has no way of knowing which one to choose. What he does know is that behind one is a tiger, waiting to devour him, and behind the other is a beautiful lady who will become his wife.
If the accused chooses the tiger, he will, of course, be eaten, and iron bells will ring in mourning. Paid mourners will bow their heads and lament that the accused surely does not deserve such a horrible fate, and wails will be heard from the audience.
If, on the other hand, the accused chooses the lady, a priest comes out and marries the two on the spot even if the man is already married to someone else! Dancing ladies and singers come out and celebrate, brass bells happily ring, and a big party ensues.
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