Analyzing Dilemma in The Lady or the Tiger

Lady or The Tiger Dilemma

Activity Overview

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.

The Dilemmas in “The Lady or the Tiger”

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?

Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 6-12

Difficulty Level 2 (Reinforcing / Developing)

Type of Assignment Individual

Type of Activity: Dilemmas

Common Core Standards

[ELA-Literacy/RL/9-10/1] Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text
[ELA-Literacy/RL/9-10/2] Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text
[ELA-Literacy/RL/9-10/3] Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme

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Template and Class Instructions

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Student Instructions

Create a storyboard that analyzes a dilemma that a character is facing in "The Lady or the Tiger".

Identify the problem and depict it in the "Introduction" cell.
Show and discuss the character's possible choices under "Problem 1" and "Problem 2".
Save and submit the assignment.

Dilemma Template Grid

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Rubric

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Dilemma Rubric

	Exemplary 25 Points	Proficient 21 Points	Commendable 17 Points	Try Again 13 Points
Choice of Scenes	Accurately depicts the scenes that show the character's main dilemma.	Mostly depicts the scenes that show the character's main dilemma.	Vaguely depicts the scenes that show the character's main dilemma.	Barley or does not depict the scenes that show the character's main dilemma.
Captions	Captions are accurately related to the dilemma and story. The connections are very easy to understand.	Captions are mostly related to the dilemma and story. The connections are easy to understand.	Captions are vaguely related to the dilemma and story. The connections are not easy to understand.	Captions do not relate well to the scenes, or are not related to the dilemma and story. The connections are very hard to understand.
Characters	The main characters are accurately and clearly identified. Their actions are well matched to their actions in the story.	The main characters are mostly clear and identified. Their actions are mostly matched to their actions in the story.	The main characters are vaguely defined or identified. Their actions are somewhat matched to their actions in the story	The main characters are lacking clarity or are not identified. Their actions are poorly matched to the story.
Spelling, Punctuation, and Grammar	There are no spelling, punctuation, or grammar errors.	There are some spelling, punctuation, or grammar errors.	There are many spelling, punctuation, or grammar errors.	There are too many spelling, punctuation, or grammar errors.