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A dilemma is the major focus of the short story. It is a choice between two unfavorable outcomes. In this story, as in most literature, dilemmas form potent conflicts for characters to encounter.
There are three main dilemmas in the story:
The first is for the accused person in the arena. Their dilemma is simply which door to choose. This is a dilemma because each door could have an unpleasant outcome; the person is either devoured by a tiger or married to a beautiful lady. This might not seem like a dilemma, but if the subject is already married, or has a family, this could be a huge problem.
The second dilemma is the princess’s choice. She possesses the knowledge of the doors, and she can give it to her lover. However, the woman that is waiting behind one of them she believed was exchanging glances with her lover. Not only that, but this woman rivals the princess in her beauty. Therefore, the princess can choose to let her love be with another woman or die by the tiger; a choice between jealousy and sorrow.
The last dilemma is for the reader. The author leaves the story without a definitive ending. Is it a story of lovers doomed to be apart, or a gruesome bloodbath?
Grade Level 6-12
Difficulty Level 2 (Reinforcing / Developing)
Type of Assignment Individual
Type of Activity: Dilemmas
Common Core Standards(This will start a 2-Week Free Trial - No Credit Card Needed)
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Create a storyboard that analyzes a dilemma that a character is facing in "The Lady or the Tiger".
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