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Edgar Allan DOH!


Hiya,

Well we had to write a comparative analysis for english. I thought I'd post it.. why? I dont know :3 And btw, my vocabulary is no where near the one I used in this essay... online thesaurus FTW? XD

Anywho, I'm comparing Edgard Allan Poe: The Tell-Tale Heart to the Simpsons: The Tell-Tale Head..

Tell me what you think! :D Well if you actually survive reading the whole thing.

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Edgar Allen DOH!


Edgar Allan Poe's “The Tell-Tale Heart” has been the inspiration of many movies, radio plays, and other modern day pop culture such as The Simpsons' episode “The Tell-Tale Head”. Although The Simpsons' remake greatly differs from the original Gothic story, it still holds the same basis. This demonstrates that despite both versions have the same concept, the original “The Tell-Tale Heart” can be interpreted in many ways. By comparing the atmosphere set, the vocabulary used, and the two protagonists, it is easy to see why each version would be best suited for its time period.

Firstly, the level of intensity in both stories is very distinct. Edgar Allan Poe sets a more eerie atmosphere compared to The Simpsons' comical satire. “The Tell-Tale Heart” is very psychological and suspenseful thus putting the reader in the killer's unstable state of mind. Every thought, every movement, every emotion that the murderer feels is portrayed through the words written by this classic Gothic author. He writes: “I saw it with perfect distinctness-all a dull blue, with a hideous veil over it that chilled the very marrow in my bones...” By reading that segment, Edgar Allan Poe provides a sense of imagery that throws the reader right into the twisted mind of the protagonist. “The Tell-Tale Heart” has unequivocally more depth than the doltish show The Simpsons.

On the other hand, the mood in “The Tell-Tale Head” created by The Simpsons is much more relaxed and farcical. Instead of being a heart throbbing thriller, the popular cartoon has downgraded the literature classic into a plain and simple, everyday television show. During the twenty minutes of animation, most its time is taken up by the mindless actions of Homer and his son. The atmosphere in The Simpsons' re-make is crude and far from Edgar Allan Poe's elaborate setting. This television series has no merit as an adult or near-adult program due to the fact that its humor mostly revolves around bodily function and slapstick behavior. It treats major social issues like child abuse with equal contempt such as Homer's constant throttling towards Bart. However, The Simpsons' is still a satire and these actions are all candidly part of the nature of this series. Evidently, “The Tell-Tale Head” is destined to today's society where most of the audience only awaits the next tedious joke.

Secondly, the vocabulary used in each variation of the story also demonstrates how both contain elements adequate to their time period. Edgar Allan Poe narrates the thought process of a troubled person using a more complex and explicit style of writing. He depicts fully developed ideas and accords an importance to the small details such as the setting and mood. Furthermore, the Gothic author writes with only one purpose: To indulge an absolutely petrifying experience to his readers through his stories.

When placed in juxtaposition to The Simpsons' common usage of slang where the characters usually point out their first thought in any given situation, it is evident that primitive yellow cartoon would not be a good fit for the nineteenth century. If the show would have employed the same vocabulary as Edgar Allan Poe, it would most probably not have the same celebrity-status it holds presently. Seeing as today's television audience prefers the senseless humor The Simpsons provide over the Gothic literary classic.

Thirdly, when comparing the two main characters, the difference in personality is brought out. In “The Tell-Tale Heart”, the main narrator is a disturbed psychopath who stalks his victim and is unable to control his emotions. On the contrary, in The Simpsons' “The Tell-Tale Head”, Bart is an average youth who has only acted upon peer pressure. The popular television show has stripped away the deep psychological traits of the killer and replaced them with the more superficial emotions of a 10-year-old boy.

Moreover, Edgar Allan Poe's intention was to create a good piece of horror with the objective of terrorizing his readers while The Simpsons' goal is to simply provide a form of comic relief. This is why each story is better destined to its intended audience. Edgar Allan Poe's readers search for a moving literary experience compared to The Simpsons where their audience tends to prefer the genuine ludicrousness of the show.

In conclusion, when examining the original literary classic of Edgar Allan Poe to the famous sitcom's remake presented by The Simpsons, it is clear why each is better suited for their era and designated audience. In our current generation, people have lost the interest of a good piece of literature and have instead taken up the enjoyment of bad unrefined comedy. It is sad to see that our present day society's quality of entertainment is disintegrating. In the nineteenth century, there was no way that such a burlesque style of entertainment would become a hit. Edgar Allan Poe provided a lasting intellectual psychological thrill that would daunt the mind of his readers. Under modern times, The Simpsons' “The Tell-Tale Head” is perfectly satisfying to our twentieth century society who has forgotten the hair rising thrill of a cordial literary classic, but instead replaced it with a mere parodic lampoon.

-pat

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