“The Lady, or the Tiger”by Frank R. Stockton

Page 360

2007 COS – 2c2010 COS –

AHSGE – R.IV.2Alabama Reading Initiative – Vocabulary Development;

Reading ComprehensionLiterary Skills – Understand ambiguity

Reading Skills – Make inferences about character motivation

Ambiguity is the quality that allows something to be interpreted in several ways. Ambiguity in a story

• allows for conflicting interpretations

• adds complexity

• makes the story seem more like real life

The Lady, or the Tiger? Literary Focus: Ambiguity

When you read an ambiguous story, you may need to make inferences, or educated guesses, about the characters’ motivation. Think about

• what the narrator tells you about the characters

• what the characters do or say

• what you know about the way people act and think

The Lady, or the Tiger? Reading Skills: Making Inferences About Motivation

As you read “The Lady, or the Tiger?” pay close attention to the king’s daughter.

• Think about how her motives relate to other characters.

• Make inferences about the reasons for her behavior.

The Lady, or the Tiger? Reading Skills: Making Inferences About Motivation

Previewing the Vocabulary

exuberant adj.: elaborate; extreme; also, high-spirited.

genial adj.: cheerful and friendly.

impartial adj.: fair; unbiased.

allegiance n.: loyalty.

procured v.: gotten; obtained.

The Lady, or the Tiger?Vocabulary

Previewing the Vocabulary

dire adj.: terrible.

retribution n.: punishment.

fervent adj.: passionate.

aspiring v. used as n.: seeking to gain; desiring.

deliberation n.: careful thought, especially in making a decision.

The Lady, or the Tiger?Vocabulary

1. The cheaters had to face _________; they were suspended for three weeks.

2. Our instructors are _________ and pleasant.

3. _________ to finish college, she enrolled again and studied several hours every day.

4. It is too late if you haven’t yet _________ tickets. The performance is sold out.

Vocabulary Activity: Using Context Clues

Use context clues to complete each sentence.

procured genial aspiring retribution

retribution

Aspiring

genial

procured

The Lady, or the Tiger?Vocabulary

Make the Connection

The Lady, or the Tiger? Quickwrite

Did you ever have to make a choice between something that was good for you and something that was good for someone you cared about? Are you glad that you chose as you did? Jot down your thoughts about making this choice.

During the Middle Ages an accused person’s guilt or innocence was often determined by a trial by ordeal. If the person was not hurt during a physical test, it was believed the accused was saved from harm by God andwas therefore innocent. Those who were injured or killed were viewed as guilty. In this story, justice is determined in a similar way.

The Lady, or the Tiger? Background

While Reading

1. Why is the young man put on trial in the king’s arena?

2. Describe the princess. In what ways is she similar to her father?

3. What motivates the princess to learn the secret of the doors?

4. Why does the young man choose the door on the right?

5. What is the outcome of the young man’s choice?

Activity

•What do you think is behind the door the young man opens: the lady or the tiger? Consider these factors and support your answer with evidence from the story: the character of the princess, the princess’s motivation, and clues in the narrator’s description of the princess’s thoughts and behavior.

•Write a sequel to this story. Your sequel should be at least ½ page long.