"The System of Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether" is a novella by Edgar Allan Poe that explores themes of madness, societal norms, and the nature of reality. The story unfolds in an asylum where the narrator, seeking enlightenment about a peculiar treatment method, encounters unusual characters and odd behavior. The institution is portrayed as a mirror reflecting society's treatment of those deemed insane.
The narrative takes a turn when the narrator learns about the system employed by Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether, which entails allowing the patients to run the asylum. This radical approach leads to absurd and chaotic situations, as power dynamics shift and the line between sanity and insanity blurs. The eccentricity of the patients raises questions about who truly deserves to be classified as sane.