Final answer:
In "The Lady, or the Tiger?" by Frank R. Stockton, the outcome is intentionally left ambiguous, with the story ending on a cliffhanger that prompts the reader to decide if it was the lady or the tiger that emerged from the arena door.
Step-by-step explanation:
The short story “The Lady, or the Tiger?” by Frank R. Stockton famously provides no explicit resolution to its central dilemma. The story ends on a cliffhanger, with the protagonist facing two doors, behind one of which is a beautiful lady, and behind the other is a ferocious tiger. The choice of which door to open is left to chance, but influenced by the princess’s secretive indication. The text intentionally withholds which outcome occurs, leaving it to the reader to determine whether it was the lady or the tiger that came out of the arena door. Therefore, the answer best supported by the text is that the outcome is left to the reader's interpretation. The story's design prompts readers to grapple with human nature, jealousy, and the ambiguity of justice.