It's a Good Life
Encyclopedia
"It's a Good Life" is a short story
by Jerome Bixby
, written in 1953
. In 1970
it was voted by the Science Fiction Writers of America as one of the 20 finest science fiction stories ever written. The story was first published in Star Science Fiction Stories No.2
.
himself and others where he wishes, read the minds
of people and animals and even revive the dead
. He may not be wholly human; hints in the story mention his "odd shadow" and "bright, wet, purple
gaze," and the obstetrician at his birth was said to have "screamed and dropped him and tried to kill him." The town's children are told that Anthony is a "nice goblin
" but they must never go near him.
Anthony's powers were present at birth, as he was able to kill the obstetrician and then, instinctively, separate his birthplace, the town of Peaksville, Ohio
, from the rest of Earth
moments after he was born. Nobody knows whether Anthony transported Peaksville somewhere or whether the rest of the world (or for that matter, the universe) was destroyed and only the town remains.
There is no electricity
, and the residents have to make their own things and grow their own food; the latter is somewhat difficult as Anthony changes the weather at will. The adults must satisfy Anthony's every whim, or risk displeasing him. Nobody is safe from Anthony, not even his own family, although they can sometimes influence him slightly; after a "smiling" suggestion from his father, Anthony sends the remains of his victims into the family cornfield, after he has finished with them.
As Anthony can read minds, the town's population must not only act content with the situation when near him, but also think they are happy at all times. However, the story does not present Anthony as malevolent
or evil; he is simply a three-year-old boy with any young child's limited grasp of the world, yet with god-like powers. Even his sincere attempts to help those in need often go horribly awry, which is why everyone acts as if everything is "good" no matter what — any change Anthony makes could be much worse. Since Anthony can act immediately on any whim, those he dislikes can come to a quick and nasty end, even if he regrets it later, and no one dares suggest he undo what he has done.
The story mostly takes place during a surprise birthday party for the Fremonts' neighbor, Dan Hollis. The residents take turns passing around certain objects, like books, music or furniture, since they cannot acquire anything new from the outside world. Dan receives a newly-discovered Perry Como
record for his birthday and wants to play it right away, but as Anthony does not like singing, the others advise him to wait until he gets home. Dan gets drunk and begins demanding that they sing, first "Happy Birthday" and then "You Are My Sunshine
". Angrily he turns on Anthony's parents, crying, "You had to go and have him," then he defiantly continues to sing as Anthony appears in the room. Anthony decides Dan is a "bad man" and turns him into some sort of horrific entity (described only as "something like nothing anyone would have believed possible") before "thinking" him into a deep grave in the cornfield.
Because Anthony's Aunt Amy carelessly complained about the heat earlier, the next day Anthony makes it snow
, which "killed off half the crops — but it was a good day."
," a 1961 episode of the television series The Twilight Zone
. Anthony Fremont was played by Bill Mumy
, and the character's age was raised from three to six years. The episode was later remade as the third segment of 1983's Twilight Zone: The Movie
starring Jeremy Licht as a 12-year-old Anthony. This version of the story, written by Richard Matheson
and directed by Joe Dante
, also featured a lighter ending.
A sequel to the original Twilight Zone television episode was made in the 2002-2003 The Twilight Zone series
and was entitled, "It's Still a Good Life
." The episode featured a 40-something Anthony (Mumy reprising his role) still terrorizing Peaksville, and his daughter (Mumy's own daughter, Liliana Mumy
) who starts exhibiting her own powers.
A theatrical adaptation of Bixby's original story, written by Jeannette Jaquish, was performed in 2008 at the Firehouse Theater in Fort Wayne, Indiana
. Because so much of the original story took place in silence when Anthony was alone with animals, the script instead used scenes with Anthony and people, and shows his control over them, rather than his transfiguration of them. Cinematic special effects were adapted for the stage by creating new scenes such as a visit from Hank and Henry Jr., to whom Anthony's mother apologizes for "what happened to your dog." The boy responds, "Yes, it was good that Anthony made Jasper choke to death eating his own paws." Also, Dan Hollis kills himself with shards of his birthday record rather than Anthony transforming him into something awful.
Short story
A short story is a work of fiction that is usually written in prose, often in narrative format. This format tends to be more pointed than longer works of fiction, such as novellas and novels. Short story definitions based on length differ somewhat, even among professional writers, in part because...
by Jerome Bixby
Jerome Bixby
Drexel Jerome Lewis Bixby was an American short story writer, editor and scriptwriter, best known for his work in science fiction. He also wrote many westerns and used the pseudonyms D. B. Lewis, Harry Neal, Albert Russell, J. Russell, M. St...
, written in 1953
1953 in literature
The year 1953 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Events:* January 22 - The Crucible, a drama by Arthur Miller, opens on Broadway....
. In 1970
1970 in literature
The year 1970 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Events:* Deliverance by American poet James Dickey published...
it was voted by the Science Fiction Writers of America as one of the 20 finest science fiction stories ever written. The story was first published in Star Science Fiction Stories No.2
Star Science Fiction Stories No.2
Star Science Fiction Stories No.2 is the second book in the anthology series, Star Science Fiction Stories, edited by Frederik Pohl. It was first published in 1953 by Ballantine Books.-Contents:*Disappearing Act by Alfred Bester...
.
Plot summary
Anthony Fremont is a three-year-old being with near-godlike powers: he can transform other people or objects into anything he wishes, think new things into being, teleportTeleportation
Teleportation is the fictional or imagined process by which matter is instantaneously transferred from one place to another.Teleportation may also refer to:*Quantum teleportation, a method of transmitting quantum data...
himself and others where he wishes, read the minds
Telepathy
Telepathy , is the induction of mental states from one mind to another. The term was coined in 1882 by the classical scholar Fredric W. H. Myers, a founder of the Society for Psychical Research, and has remained more popular than the more-correct expression thought-transference...
of people and animals and even revive the dead
Necromancy
Necromancy is a claimed form of magic that involves communication with the deceased, either by summoning their spirit in the form of an apparition or raising them bodily, for the purpose of divination, imparting the ability to foretell future events or discover hidden knowledge...
. He may not be wholly human; hints in the story mention his "odd shadow" and "bright, wet, purple
Purple
Purple is a range of hues of color occurring between red and blue, and is classified as a secondary color as the colors are required to create the shade....
gaze," and the obstetrician at his birth was said to have "screamed and dropped him and tried to kill him." The town's children are told that Anthony is a "nice goblin
Goblin
A goblin is a legendary evil or mischievous illiterate creature, a grotesquely evil or evil-like phantom.They are attributed with various abilities, temperaments and appearances depending on the story and country of origin. In some cases, goblins have been classified as constantly annoying little...
" but they must never go near him.
Anthony's powers were present at birth, as he was able to kill the obstetrician and then, instinctively, separate his birthplace, the town of Peaksville, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, from the rest of Earth
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
moments after he was born. Nobody knows whether Anthony transported Peaksville somewhere or whether the rest of the world (or for that matter, the universe) was destroyed and only the town remains.
There is no electricity
Electricity
Electricity is a general term encompassing a variety of phenomena resulting from the presence and flow of electric charge. These include many easily recognizable phenomena, such as lightning, static electricity, and the flow of electrical current in an electrical wire...
, and the residents have to make their own things and grow their own food; the latter is somewhat difficult as Anthony changes the weather at will. The adults must satisfy Anthony's every whim, or risk displeasing him. Nobody is safe from Anthony, not even his own family, although they can sometimes influence him slightly; after a "smiling" suggestion from his father, Anthony sends the remains of his victims into the family cornfield, after he has finished with them.
As Anthony can read minds, the town's population must not only act content with the situation when near him, but also think they are happy at all times. However, the story does not present Anthony as malevolent
Malevolence
Malevolence may refer to:* Evil* Hostility* Malice* Sadism-Television, film, music, comic books:* Malevolence , a 1999 film by Belle Avery* Malevolence , a 2005 film by Stevan Mena* Malevolence , a heavy metal band...
or evil; he is simply a three-year-old boy with any young child's limited grasp of the world, yet with god-like powers. Even his sincere attempts to help those in need often go horribly awry, which is why everyone acts as if everything is "good" no matter what — any change Anthony makes could be much worse. Since Anthony can act immediately on any whim, those he dislikes can come to a quick and nasty end, even if he regrets it later, and no one dares suggest he undo what he has done.
The story mostly takes place during a surprise birthday party for the Fremonts' neighbor, Dan Hollis. The residents take turns passing around certain objects, like books, music or furniture, since they cannot acquire anything new from the outside world. Dan receives a newly-discovered Perry Como
Perry Como
Pierino Ronald "Perry" Como was an American singer and television personality. During a career spanning more than half a century he recorded exclusively for the RCA Victor label after signing with them in 1943. "Mr...
record for his birthday and wants to play it right away, but as Anthony does not like singing, the others advise him to wait until he gets home. Dan gets drunk and begins demanding that they sing, first "Happy Birthday" and then "You Are My Sunshine
You Are My Sunshine
"You Are My Sunshine" is a popular song first recorded in 1939. It has been declared one of the state songs of Louisiana as a result of its association with former state governor and country music singer Jimmie Davis. The song is copyright 1940 Peer International Corporation, words and music by...
". Angrily he turns on Anthony's parents, crying, "You had to go and have him," then he defiantly continues to sing as Anthony appears in the room. Anthony decides Dan is a "bad man" and turns him into some sort of horrific entity (described only as "something like nothing anyone would have believed possible") before "thinking" him into a deep grave in the cornfield.
Because Anthony's Aunt Amy carelessly complained about the heat earlier, the next day Anthony makes it snow
Snow
Snow is a form of precipitation within the Earth's atmosphere in the form of crystalline water ice, consisting of a multitude of snowflakes that fall from clouds. Since snow is composed of small ice particles, it is a granular material. It has an open and therefore soft structure, unless packed by...
, which "killed off half the crops — but it was a good day."
Television, film and theatrical adaptations
The story was made into "It's a Good LifeIt's a Good Life (The Twilight Zone)
"It's a Good Life" is an episode of the American television anthology series The Twilight Zone. It is based on a 1953 short story of the same name by Jerome Bixby.-Synopsis:...
," a 1961 episode of the television series The Twilight Zone
The Twilight Zone (1959 TV series)
The Twilight Zone is an American anthology television series created by Rod Serling, which ran for five seasons on CBS from 1959 to 1964. The series consisted of unrelated episodes depicting paranormal, futuristic, dystopian, or simply disturbing events; each show typically featured a surprising...
. Anthony Fremont was played by Bill Mumy
Bill Mumy
Charles William "Bill" Mumy, Jr. is an American actor, musician, pitchman, instrumentalist, voice-over artist and a figure in the science-fiction community. He is known primarily for his work as a child television actor....
, and the character's age was raised from three to six years. The episode was later remade as the third segment of 1983's Twilight Zone: The Movie
Twilight Zone: The Movie
Twilight Zone: The Movie is a 1983 science fiction horror film produced by Steven Spielberg and John Landis as a theatrical version of The Twilight Zone, a 1959 and '60s TV series created by Rod Serling. Those starring in the film are: Dan Aykroyd, Albert Brooks, Vic Morrow, Scatman Crothers,...
starring Jeremy Licht as a 12-year-old Anthony. This version of the story, written by Richard Matheson
Richard Matheson
Richard Burton Matheson is an American author and screenwriter, primarily in the fantasy, horror, and science fiction genres. He is perhaps best known as the author of What Dreams May Come, Bid Time Return, A Stir of Echoes, The Incredible Shrinking Man, and I Am Legend, all of which have been...
and directed by Joe Dante
Joe Dante
Joseph "Joe" Dante, Jr. is an American film director and producer of films generally with humorous and science fiction content....
, also featured a lighter ending.
A sequel to the original Twilight Zone television episode was made in the 2002-2003 The Twilight Zone series
The Twilight Zone (2002 TV series)
The Twilight Zone is a 2002 revival of Rod Serling's acclaimed 1950/60s television series, The Twilight Zone. It aired for one season on the UPN network, with actor Forest Whitaker assuming Serling's role as narrator and on-screen host....
and was entitled, "It's Still a Good Life
It's Still a Good Life
"It's Still a Good Life" is the thirty-first episode of the science fiction television series 2002 revival of The Twilight Zone. The episode aired February 19, 2003 on UPN. It is a sequel to the original series episode "It's a Good Life". Bill Mumy and Cloris Leachman reprise their roles from the...
." The episode featured a 40-something Anthony (Mumy reprising his role) still terrorizing Peaksville, and his daughter (Mumy's own daughter, Liliana Mumy
Liliana Mumy
Liliana Berry Davis Mumy is an American teen actress and voice actress. Her most notable roles are as Jessica Baker in the Cheaper by the Dozen movies with Steve Martin, Lucy Miller in The Santa Clause sequels with Tim Allen, Mertle Edmonds on the Disney Channel original series Lilo & Stitch: The...
) who starts exhibiting her own powers.
A theatrical adaptation of Bixby's original story, written by Jeannette Jaquish, was performed in 2008 at the Firehouse Theater in Fort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne is a city in the US state of Indiana and the county seat of Allen County. The population was 253,691 at the 2010 Census making it the 74th largest city in the United States and the second largest in Indiana...
. Because so much of the original story took place in silence when Anthony was alone with animals, the script instead used scenes with Anthony and people, and shows his control over them, rather than his transfiguration of them. Cinematic special effects were adapted for the stage by creating new scenes such as a visit from Hank and Henry Jr., to whom Anthony's mother apologizes for "what happened to your dog." The boy responds, "Yes, it was good that Anthony made Jasper choke to death eating his own paws." Also, Dan Hollis kills himself with shards of his birthday record rather than Anthony transforming him into something awful.
See also
- The Science Fiction Hall of Fame Volume One, 1929-1964The Science Fiction Hall of Fame Volume One, 1929-1964The Science Fiction Hall of Fame, Volume One, 1929–1964 is a 1970 anthology of science fiction short stories, edited by Robert Silverberg. It is generally considered one of the best, if not the best, of the many science fiction anthologies...
, an anthology of the greatest science fiction short stories prior to 1965, as judged by the Science Fiction Writers of America
External links
- It’s a Good Life by Jerome Bixby at BestScienceFictionStories.com - A review of the story with resources for finding it.