The System of Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether

The System of Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether is a short story by Edgar Allan Poe, first published in the November 1845 issue of Graham's Magazine. It is a darkly comedic tale that explores themes of madness, deception, and the thin line between sanity and insanity. The story is set in a mental institution in southern France and is narrated by an unnamed visitor who becomes embroiled in the bizarre practices of the asylum.

Plot Summary

The narrator arrives at the asylum with the intention of learning about its innovative treatment method, known as the "soothing system," purportedly developed by Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether. This method involves treating patients with kindness and allowing them a degree of freedom, as opposed to the more traditional and harsh treatments of the time.

Upon arrival, the narrator is greeted by a host who explains that the doctors are currently unavailable but invites him to dine with the guests, who are later revealed to be the asylum's patients. The evening progresses with increasingly strange behavior from the guests, culminating in the revelation that the patients have overthrown the staff and taken control of the asylum. The real staff, including Doctor Maillard (who the narrator had been led to believe was the host), are found to have been tarred, feathered, and confined.

The story concludes with the restoration of order to the asylum and the narrator's departure, reflecting on the ease with which sanity can be mistaken for insanity and vice versa.

Themes and Analysis

"The System of Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether" explores the theme of madness, a common motif in Poe's work. The story critiques the then-contemporary approaches to mental health treatment, highlighting the potential for abuse and the subjective nature of sanity. Poe's use of irony and satire serves to question the effectiveness and humanity of psychiatric practices of his time.

The story also delves into the theme of deception, both in the guise of the patients masquerading as the staff and in the narrator's mistaken beliefs about the asylum's practices. This theme is further underscored by the story's twist ending, which reveals the true extent of the deception and the narrator's gullibility.

Reception

Upon its publication, "The System of Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether" was well-received for its engaging narrative and thought-provoking themes. It has since been recognized as an important work in Poe's oeuvre, particularly for its critique of mental health care practices and its exploration of the boundaries between sanity and insanity.

Adaptations

The story has been adapted into various media, including film, radio, and theater, demonstrating its enduring appeal and relevance. These adaptations often emphasize the story's dark humor and satirical critique of psychiatric institutions.

See Also

• Edgar Allan Poe
• Gothic fiction
• Satire
• Mental health in literature