The System of Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether

Name: The System of Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether
Author: Edgar Allan Poe

A group of travelers arrive at a French asylum, seeking refuge from the rain. They are greeted by the director, who appears to be eccentric and somewhat unhinged. The visitors soon discover that the patients have taken control of the institution, and the staff has been locked up in their cells. The travelers are forced to join the patients, who are living in a state of chaos and anarchy.

By Edgar Allan Poe · First published 1845 · Genre: Gothic Fiction, Satire, Dark Comedy · 8,445 words

First lines

During the autumn of 18 -- , while on a tour through the extreme southern provinces of France, my route led me within a few miles of a certain Maison de Santé or private madhouse, about which I had heard much, in Paris, from my medical friends. As I had never visited a place of the kind, I thought the opportunity too good to be lost; and so proposed to my travelling companion (a gentleman with whom I had made casual acquaintance a few days before), that we should turn aside, for an hour or so, and look through the establishment. To this he objected -- pleading haste in the first place, and, in the second, a very usual horror at the sight of a lunatic. He begged me, however, not to let any mere courtesy towards himself interfere with the gratification of my curiosity, and said that he would ride on leisurely, so that I might overtake him during the day, or, at all events, during the next. As he bade me goodbye, I bethought me that there might be some difficulty in obtaining access to the premises, and mentioned my fears on this point. He replied that, in fact, unless I had personal knowledge of the superintendent, Monsieur Maillard, or some credential in the way of a letter, a difficulty might be found to exist, as the regulations of these private madhouses were more rigid than the public hospital laws. For himself, he added, he had, some years since, made the acquaintance of Maillard, and would so far assist me as to ride up to the door and introduce me; although his feelings on the subject of lunacy would not permit of his entering the house.

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The System of Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether is listed on Textopian as a novel by Edgar Allan Poe, dated 1845 CE.

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Work type: Novel
Author: Edgar Allan Poe
Date: 1845 CE
Language: English
Genres: Gothic Fiction, Satire, Dark Comedy, Psychological Fiction, Adventure
Length: 8,445 words
Structure: 1 section, 125 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Gothic Fiction — The setting in a dilapidated madhouse and themes of madness and the uncanny create a Gothic atmosphere.
Satire — The narrative critiques societal views on mental health and the absurdity of treatment methods, using humor and irony.
Dark Comedy — The story employs humor in the portrayal of lunacy and the bizarre behaviors of characters, blending dark themes with comedic elements.
Psychological Fiction — Explores the complexities of sanity and insanity, delving into the psychological aspects of the characters.