Diorama-Rama

The Diorama-Rama is Springfield Elementary School's annual competition in which students create and present dioramas.

History

During the competition, Allison Taylor selected and completed her project early, creating a diorama based on Edgar Allan Poe’s The Tell Tale Heart. Lisa Simpson originally constructed an elaborate depiction of Oliver Twist featuring 75 handmade characters, but the project was accidentally blown out of a window and destroyed. Nelson Muntz presented a representation of The Grapes of Wrath, consisting of a pile of grapes that he smashed with a mallet to symbolize the “wrath.” Foreign exchange student Üter chose Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, but only left an empty box because he had eaten his project.

Before Allison’s presentation, Lisa, encouraged by Bart Simpson, attempted to sabotage her rival by replacing Allison’s diorama with one containing a rotten cow’s heart. Principal Skinner harshly criticized the display and began questioning Allison’s abilities, prompting Lisa to confess and restore the original project out of guilt. Lisa then presented her own diorama, but acknowledged that it did not deserve to win, a sentiment with which Skinner agreed.

The final presentation belonged to Ralph Wiggum, whose entry consisted simply of a box filled with packaged original Star Wars action figures, including Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Chewbacca. Despite its simplicity, Principal Skinner awarded Ralph first prize because of his sentimental attachment to the toys.

Gallery

Appearances

Episode – "Lisa's Rival"