Final answer:
The princess' reaction in 'The Lady, or the Tiger?' remains unknown as the author deliberately leaves the story's conclusion open to interpretation. We can infer that her decision will reveal her true nature, torn between love and jealousy, leading to speculations on whether she directs her lover to the lady or the tiger.
Step-by-step explanation:
Princess' Reaction: The Lady or The Tiger
The question refers to The Lady, or the Tiger? by Frank R. Stockton, a tale that deals with the fate of a lover who is subjected to a whimsical trial based on chance, by a semi-barbaric king. The princess' reaction is at the crux of the story as she knows behind which door lies the tiger, which would lead to a brutal death for her lover, and behind which lies the lady, who would be his bride if chosen. The princess faces an internal conflict driven by jealousy and love, leaving us to contemplate whether she would direct him to a fate of death or a life married to another woman.
The author leaves the ending ambiguous, and as such, we can only speculate on the princess' reaction based on her character and the situation she is placed in. Would her reaction be influenced by her love for the young man to spare his life at the cost of seeing him with another? Or would her possessive jealousy lead her to direct him towards the tiger? The debate about the reaction of the princess, whether she chooses the lady or the tiger, continues to be a subject of analysis in literature classes.