Thursday, January 1, 2015

What is the mood of "The Lady, or the Tiger"?

The mood or feeling in this story is passionate, tense and full of suspense.  "The Lady and The Tiger" has a chilling and barbaric mood that makes the reader anxious. 

Feelings run very high in this story, dark feelings of hatred, envy, and anguish over lost love dominate the story.  When the princess and the courtier are separated and he must choose the correct door, the lady or the tiger, the mood is tense and full of anticipation.  A feeling of dread is present in the reader, what if he chooses the wrong door, then he will be ripped to pieces.

Should he trust the princess?  Or will she exact her revenge on the young beautiful courtier who awaits the courtier behind one door.  The princess hates her, envies her, does not want her to marry her love.   This choice, that the courtier makes without hesitation makes the reader very nervous, and then, we don't know the outcome, we are left to imagine.

"The question of her decision is one not to be lightly considered, and it is not for me to presume to set myself up as the one person able to answer it. And so I leave it with all of you: Which came out of the opened door,--the lady, or the tiger?" (Stockton) 

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