I was doing my research for my history project just now, and I came across this!
http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-stories/UBooks/LadyTige.shtml
If you're too lazy to go click on the link, then here's what its mainly about:
Basically, its a short story written by Frank R. Stockton in 1882, about the lesser of 2 evils (the idea that of two bad choices, one isn't as bad as the other, and should be chosen over the one that is of a greater threat).
There was this King of an ancient land and he adopted an unusual form of administering justice for offenders in his kingdom. He [the offender] would be placed in an arena where his only way out would be to go through 1 of 2 doors. So, behind 1 of the door was a beautiful woman whom the King picked and behind the other door was a fierce tiger. He was then asked to pick 1 of the doors. If he picked the door with the woman behind it, he was declared innocent and he must marry the woman, regardless whether he's already married or not. If he picked the door with the tiger behind it though, he was deemed guilty and the tiger will eat him.
So one day, the King found out that his daughter has been seeing another man that was far beneath her social status [a courtier]. The King forbid this and therefore threw this man [offender] into prison and set a date for his trial in the arena. On the day of his trial, he looked to the princess as in asking which door was the correct one to pick. The princess knew which door concealed the woman and which one the tiger, but was faced with a dilemma - if she indicated the door with the tiger, then the man she loved, the man she love with such an ardor, would be killed immediately; however, if she indicated the door with the lady, the man she loved would be forced to marry another woman and though he shall be alive, she can never be with him again. Finally she does indicate a door, which he then opens.
Just at the very climax, the question is posed to the reader, "Did the tiger come out of that door, or did the lady?" The question is not answered, and is left as a thought experiment regarding human nature.
Now, you have either 2 choices: to lose your lover, or to give away your lover?
Imagine, your very own lover, someone whom you love with all your heart and strength. Would you want him to meet with such a cruel fate, to be eaten alive by a vicious tiger?
On the another hand, what if he opened the door to the lady? Wouldn't you be in pain, realizing that you have lost the love of your life? Wouldn't you be in sheer agony when you see your very own man, holding another woman in his arms, not because he wants to, but because he's forced to? Even worst - what if he is WILLING to leave you for another woman? How will you be able to stand to see your man marry another woman, right in front of your very eyes, and live a happy family life ... without you? Won't it be better for him to die and follow suit? But can you stand seeing your lover being eaten alive?
Gosh! I love thought provoking questions like this!
However, I would, in a heartbeat, point out the door with the lady behind it. Even though he will be gone forever from my life. Because I love him, see? I rather see him alive and well, even though not with me. It is painful, but it is much more painful for me if he dies.
Oh well, back to projects. :(
http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-stories/UBooks/LadyTige.shtml
If you're too lazy to go click on the link, then here's what its mainly about:
Basically, its a short story written by Frank R. Stockton in 1882, about the lesser of 2 evils (the idea that of two bad choices, one isn't as bad as the other, and should be chosen over the one that is of a greater threat).
There was this King of an ancient land and he adopted an unusual form of administering justice for offenders in his kingdom. He [the offender] would be placed in an arena where his only way out would be to go through 1 of 2 doors. So, behind 1 of the door was a beautiful woman whom the King picked and behind the other door was a fierce tiger. He was then asked to pick 1 of the doors. If he picked the door with the woman behind it, he was declared innocent and he must marry the woman, regardless whether he's already married or not. If he picked the door with the tiger behind it though, he was deemed guilty and the tiger will eat him.
So one day, the King found out that his daughter has been seeing another man that was far beneath her social status [a courtier]. The King forbid this and therefore threw this man [offender] into prison and set a date for his trial in the arena. On the day of his trial, he looked to the princess as in asking which door was the correct one to pick. The princess knew which door concealed the woman and which one the tiger, but was faced with a dilemma - if she indicated the door with the tiger, then the man she loved, the man she love with such an ardor, would be killed immediately; however, if she indicated the door with the lady, the man she loved would be forced to marry another woman and though he shall be alive, she can never be with him again. Finally she does indicate a door, which he then opens.
Just at the very climax, the question is posed to the reader, "Did the tiger come out of that door, or did the lady?" The question is not answered, and is left as a thought experiment regarding human nature.
Now, you have either 2 choices: to lose your lover, or to give away your lover?
Imagine, your very own lover, someone whom you love with all your heart and strength. Would you want him to meet with such a cruel fate, to be eaten alive by a vicious tiger?
On the another hand, what if he opened the door to the lady? Wouldn't you be in pain, realizing that you have lost the love of your life? Wouldn't you be in sheer agony when you see your very own man, holding another woman in his arms, not because he wants to, but because he's forced to? Even worst - what if he is WILLING to leave you for another woman? How will you be able to stand to see your man marry another woman, right in front of your very eyes, and live a happy family life ... without you? Won't it be better for him to die and follow suit? But can you stand seeing your lover being eaten alive?
Gosh! I love thought provoking questions like this!
However, I would, in a heartbeat, point out the door with the lady behind it. Even though he will be gone forever from my life. Because I love him, see? I rather see him alive and well, even though not with me. It is painful, but it is much more painful for me if he dies.
Oh well, back to projects. :(
No comments:
Post a Comment