Read the passage from "The Lady, or the Tiger.” Directly opposite him, on the other side of the inclosed space, were two doors, exactly alike and side by side. It was the duty and the privilege of the person on trial to walk directly to these doors and open one of them. He could open either door he pleased; he was subject to no guidance or influence but that of the aforementioned impartial and incorruptible chance.

What is the author’s purpose for describing the two doors as absolutely identical?

This question is missing the answer choices. I was able to find the complete question online. The choices are the following:

A. to reveal that the outcome of the trial is decided by luck.

B. to show that the verdict is predetermined.

C. to reveal that the defendants are in control of the verdict.

D. to emphasize that the trial is completely fair.

The author's purpose for describing the two doors as absolutely identical is:

A. to reveal that the outcome of the trial is decided by luck.

Explanation:

"The Lady, or the Tiger" is a short story by American author and humorist Frank Richard Stockton (18340-1902). In the story, a king is described as semi-barbaric, which shows he is only partially civilized. He understands the importance of a trial to decide whether someone is guilty of a crime or not. However, the trial he comes up with is absurd, and the outcome is decided by sheer luck.

The person being accused of the crime is led to an arena. There, he is supposed to choose between two doors. Behind one of them, he will find a beautiful maiden. Behind the other one, he will find a tiger. The doors are completely identical - nothing about them reveals what is behind them. Thus, it is really a matter of luck whether the man will choose the lady or the tiger. If he chooses the door with the maiden, he is found innocent, and his reward is to marry her immediately. If he chooses the door with the tiger, he is found guilty, and his punishment is to be eaten by the animal.

As we can see, it does not matter whether the person really committed a crime or not. What matters is how lucky he is to choose to right door.