Lesson 12
Essential Question
How is ambiguity used to
create effect in a story?
Journal Topic
“A difficult choice I’ve made”
Before you read:
• Ambiguity
– The quality that allows something to be
interpreted in more than one way.
– It adds complexity to a story
• Motivation
– The reason behind a person’s behavior
(why the person does what s/he does)
• “The Lady or the Tiger” (p. 298)
Plot
• Exposition (very long in this story)
– Setting kingdom in “olden time”
– A king with curious qualities
• Semi-barbaric
• Exuberant
• Genial
– The king’s curious entertainment
• Places people in life or death choice in an arena
• The entire spectacle is based on mere chance
– Answer question in box on p. 300
Plot
• Rising Action
– King discovers his daughter’s lover and
arrests the man (Answer question in box 2)
– King orders the young man be put to the
test in the arena (Answer question in box 3)
– The Princess discovers what is behind each
door
– The Princess gives a subtle gesture to her
lover (Answer question in box 4)
Story’s conclusion
• No climax
– Other than that the young man opens
a door
• No resolution
– The reader does not find out what is
behind the door
• Ambiguous ending is offered
– A story to entertain or lead to
discussion of human nature (Answer
the question in box 5)
Ambiguity – Ending #1
• There is a tiger behind the door –
What leads the reader to this
conclusion?
– Princess does not want her lover to
be with another (we were told she
saw the rival looking at the young
man)
– Princess is semi-barbaric (like her
father)
Ambiguity – Ending #2
• The princess’ rival is behind the
door – What leads reader to this
conclusion?
– Princess’ love for the young man –
She doesn’t want him to die
– Perhaps she is unhappy with her
father’s sense of “justice”
Additional Ambiguity
• Did the young man choose the
door the Princess gestured
toward—or the other door?
– Does he think she loves him or is
jealous of the other young woman?
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