The Simpsons' 1990 Poe Adaptation Used as Teaching Tool
The first 'Treehouse of Horror' episode of The Simpsons, aired in 1990, features a faithful adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Raven.' The poem is read by James Earl Jones, with Homer Simpson (voiced by Dan Castellaneta) as the narrator, Marge as Lenore, Maggie and Lisa as seraphim, and Bart as the raven. This segment is notable for being the only Simpsons episode where Poe received a co-writing credit. Several teachers' guides, including one from The New York Times, have recommended using the video in classrooms to teach literature. The episode balances Poe's verse with the show's characteristic humor.
Key facts
- The Simpsons adapted Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Raven' in the first 'Treehouse of Horror' episode in 1990.
- James Earl Jones reads the poem; Dan Castellaneta voices Homer as the narrator.
- Marge appears as Lenore, Maggie and Lisa as seraphim, and Bart as the raven.
- This is the only Simpsons episode where Edgar Allan Poe received a co-writing credit.
- Teachers' guides, including one from The New York Times, suggest using the video in class.
- The adaptation keeps Poe's verse intact while adding humor true to Homer's character.
- The episode also references other Poe works like 'The Tell-Tale Heart' in earlier episodes.
- The post originally appeared on Open Culture in 2016.
Entities
Artists
- Edgar Allan Poe
- James Earl Jones
- Dan Castellaneta
- Michael Chabon
- Jonathan Franzen
- Maya Angelou
- Amy Tan
- Ted Mills
Institutions
- The Simpsons
- The New York Times
- Open Culture
- Poetry Foundation