Hop-Frog by Edgar Allan Poe (1849): A Review

Title: Hop-Frog

Author: Edgar Allan Poe

Publication Year: 1849, March 17

Pages: 12

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genre: Horror

Source: eBook & audiobook @storytel.tr

Opening Sentence: I never knew anyone so keenly alive to a joke as the king was.

“Hop-Frog” is a horror story about a victim and his bully, and it is quite disturbing! The narrative is set in a time when kings, jesters, and clowns existed, and bullying on such a scale was considered acceptable.

At first, we see the jester, Hop-Frog, being bullied and mocked because of his appearance. The treatment he receives is brutal. However, his patience runs out when the king and his companions target his friend, another dwarf-sized girl. This moment leads to a shocking twist where the bully faces severe consequences - again severely disturbing. While the story is unsettling, you may end up feeling a sense of pride and happiness for Hop-Frog at the end.

This intense narrative raises important issues: Once a bully, always a bully! Thus, someone needs to teach bullies a lesson; otherwise, they will never stop! What kind of lesson do they need to learn? Do they ever learn? Where does the cycle of violence and revenge end? What if both sides are bullies, leaving one poor victim stuck between them? This extreme case of revenge prompts ethical dilemmas. Regardless of your thoughts on the matter, it’s hard not to feel an acute sense of guilt.

This leads me to wonder: Isn’t it the bullies’ strategy to create moral discomfort in others’ minds to evade accountability and punishment? I can never seem to find an answer that quiets my conscience!