Simpsons TreeHouse of horror, and Blasphemy!

I was having trouble trying to recall an episode which i could remember vidily enough to write about. Luckily for me, being that it's october and all, the halloween spectaculars came to mind. And although I'm not sure exactly which sketches apply to which halloween specials, these episodes are probably the most satyrical of all. One in particular being the simpsons version of "The Raven"... which is pretty much the perfect example for this assignment, considering it's impact on literature and this being a literature course and all (Plus the halloween factor stated above). But aside the episode's near existential relationship with the assignment, there are other reasons for my bringing it up. (Quoth the raven "TreeHouse of Horror")

The creative brass for the simpsons thought it would be funny to make a mockery of Edgar Allen Poe's "The Raven", which they easily accomplished simply by incorporating a few of their characters. Homer is given the role of the nameless protagonist, and stays true to the original piece, in that he also narrates for the sketch. Fittingly, the stetch then places Marge's face in the picture frame entilted Lenore, and Bart's head on the raven, just above the chamber door, quoting the lovable "Eat my shorts". However it is mainly the classic, near rivalrous duo of Bart and Homer, which goes onto infect the integrity of the piece.

With most shows, it appears as if a lot of times the simpson brass will create a sitation, then only after the concept for the show is complete, the characters will then be thrown to the wolves to create a point. And because of this (especially durring the early years), the Simpson family has become the idealogical form of character satire - simmilar to a puppet theatre, performed by puppeteers who think puppeterring is stupid. Because of this, the mere image of the simpsons is sometimes enough to create a mockery of something. And in this episode: where the situation has already been pre-drawn, and laid-out some 150 years prior to the shows existense. I believe it is safe to say, that this show is one of those rare situations of (Situational)irony, where the mere presense of the simpsons, is enough in itself to create a successful segment of satyrical genius.(Or in the the retarded words of Peter Griffin "It insists upon itself")

For instance. When one compares the simpsons reading of the poem to that of the original text, there's really only a handful of differences which can be spotted between the two, with the bulk of the discrepancy falling upon terminology: hath= has, somewhat= something, etcetera, etcetera. And outside a famous outburst or two from each such as "Why you little!", and "Eat my shorts" the script itself remains in close fasion to that of the original.
And to jump back into what I had slightly touched on before, it is the interpretations of the text that can be seen on the screen that is mostly responsible for the satire which I am speaking of. The idiot: Homer, reciting and depicting Poe's extremely creative, and equally difficult classic "The Raven", is about as Ironic as the Simpsons have ever gotten, as Homer, next to Adolf Hitler, is probably the last person you would expect to portary the role. However, that is what creates somewhat of the double-whammy, as the poem itself never mentions a name, nor any physical features, that could even disagree with the possibility that the weak, and weary from the text could in fact be anybody. Or in this case, Homer.

This I find to be a complete mockery of the text, and probably a bit sarcastic in nature. I say this not only because "The Raven" is most likely my favorite poem, which represents a much darker content than the simpsons could ever hope to accomplish (hense the satire)... but because it is actually stated, in a loosely mocking fasion at the very end of the skit, as Bart and Lisa discuss their feelings. Bart says "That wasn't scary, not even for a poem." Lisa, the representation of the show's logic retorts, "Well it was written in 1845, maybe people were easier to scare back then". The show then ends with bart stating "Oh, yeah. Like when you look at "Friday the Thirteenth, Part 1''. Pretty tame by today's standards." Ending the show by comparing "The Raven" with lame slasher films such as the above, and further proving my quasi-thesis that because the Simpsons are so narrow minded and stupid, they perfectly fit the bill in making a satire out of anything. And in this case, just by being there. And in return clashing a positive storm of not only irony, but mockery as well.

But again this was the simpons. So for parody's sake (and time) I'll simply just create a list of what I've deemed to be the important Simspon moments of parody. Which without, may not have been funny at all. Again, outside their simply "being there".

1) Homer chasing, and swatting the Bart-Raven, for little other reason than his resemblance of Bart. Whereas there is no mention of this rivalry in the text, and is most likely just a simpson trademark instilled within the sketch to add a little sense of a simpson parody.

2) Marge's face and it's representation of Lenore. This itself is not very funny, however the parody easily becomes satyrical as the picture frame displaying her face, inch by inch, is accompanied by yet another frame, so as to include her famous blue tower of hair. This is one of the other few simpson trademarks that reveals itself within the poem, creating as I have said before, a friggin Mockery.

3) Bart yelping "Eat my shorts" in exchange of saying "Nevermore", which stirs Homer's aggression toward the Bart-Raven, for without, #1 could not exist. Which also, for those you have been paying attention, sounds quite a bit like the latter, and in fact does rhyme with everything in which the raven quotes in the original text. You could say this is the show poking fun at poetry, while depicting a poem. However, I see it as a mockery to the extent of straight-up blasphemy. Either way the reader chooses to see it, it does represent at least a touch of sarcasm by classroom standards, as it is a wounding expression, that deteriorates (in nature) the integrity, and genious of the poem. Possibly a reach, however there is something to grab for there.

4) Lastly, and this is up for debate, but if my memory serves me correct, I believe the room in which the entire setting takes place is supposed to (at least loosely) represent Mr. Burns own personal chamber/office. Few alterations exist, as to stay in touch with the original setting of the text, however the color scemes, desk, and size of the room do all appear quite simmilar. Again, this is not funny. However for the poem being so dark in nature, it would only seem fitting to present it within the walls of the darkest character on the show. (No not him...) But of coarse, that being Mr. Burns.