Frank Stockton

1
Frank Stockton
2
When and where did he live?

• 1834-1902
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

3
Family Life

• Physique
• frail
• one leg was shorter than the other
• Instead of sports, he excelled in imagination
• Told stories to his siblings
• Won short story contests in High School
• Father (a Methodist preacher) discouraged him
  from writing

4
Career

• After graduating high school, worked as a wood
  engraver for 14 years
• Made enough to barely feed his family
• Married his wife, Mary Anne, in 1860
• Was discovered after his first fairy tale
  Ting-a-ling was published in 1867

5
Writing Career

• 1868 wrote for Hearth and Home magazine for
  adolescents
• 1874 became assistant editor for St. Nicholas
  Magazine for children
• 1878 poor eyesight forced him to resign
• His wife and secretary helped him write down his
  stories after that
• 1899-1904 wrote 23 volumes for children and
  adults

6
Writing Style

• Excelled in whimsical fancy
• Most known for his humor
• He observed, The discovery that humorous
  compositions could be used in journals other than
  those termed comic marked a new era in my life.

7
The Lady or the Tiger?

• Most well-known piece
• Studied in high school and college classrooms
  throughout the West
• originally appeared in Centurys Magazine
  November, 1882

8
The Discourager of Hesitancy

• Sequel to The Lady or the Tiger?
• NOTE I will post this short story on my website
  for you to download and read. This is not
  required, but it is very interesting reading for
  those of you who enjoyed The Lady or the Tiger?

9
Which came out of the door?

• What did Frank Stockton himself say came out of
  the door?
• The Lady?
• The Tiger?
• First, you decide then Ill tell you what he
  said! ?