Answer:
The statement which best describes the literary form of "The Lady, or the Tiger" is:
D. It is a political allegory because it comments on leadership and government.
Step-by-step explanation:
The short story "The Lady, or the Tiger?" by American author and humorist Frank Richard Stockton is an allegory, which means it uses symbols to convey a bigger message referring to the real world. Throughout the story, many symbols can be found and, among them, the king seems to serve as a reference to government and leadership.
The narrator describes the king as being semi-barbaric. That means he is selfish, impulsive, irrational. He is knowledgeable enough to come with something he considers to be a fair trial, but barbaric enough to condemn people on a matter of luck or fate.
Stockton seems to use this character of his to expose, in an allegorical manner, the unfairness and inequality perpetuated in society by our leaders. Being in government does not necessarily mean a person is smarter, truer, or fairer. As a matter of fact, they may very well not have any of those qualities, but may have gotten there through connections and wealth. No wonder some leaders are often disqualified to serve their people, not worrying about or working for any improvements in education, health, employment, social issues, etc.