Discuss the concept of religious predestination versus free will as it relates to the roles of the king and the princess in "The Lady, or the Tiger? "

In answer to queries about the ending of "The Lady, or the Tiger?," Stockton made the following comment: "If you decide which it was-the lady, or the tiger, you find out what kind of a person you are yourself." What do you think he meant by that?

How can a kingdom be "serm-barbaric"? What sort of practices would you consider barbaric? Are there instances in which it is okay to be barbaric?

Compare a short story by the American writer O. Henry, whose work is famous for trick endings, to "The Lady, or the Tiger?" Which story do you find more clever, and why?