Mike Flanagan, an expert horror director, surprises us once again with his latest production for the small screen. “The Fall of the House of Usher”an adaptation of the work of Edgar Allan Poe, is a series full of mysteries and clues that enrich the experience on Netflix.
The show, which brings back much of Flanagan’s recurring cast, premiered on October 12, 2023, and has left viewers with many intriguing questions, including Verna’s true identity and the enigma surrounding the meaning of the ending. of the eight episodes.
“The Fall of the House of Usher” is a feast for Edgar Allan Poe lovers, full of gothic elements and mystery in every corner. But what few have noticed are the clever Easter eggs that pay tribute to the life of the iconic writer.
THE EASTER EGGS IN “THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER”
6. Rufus Wilmot Griswold
One of the most fascinating aspects is the inclusion of Poe’s literary rivals in the plot. One of the characters that stands out is the CEO of Fortunato, Rufus Wilmot Griswold. Because it is important? Griswold was a literary critic and real-life rival of Poe. Their relationship was anything but friendly, and after Poe’s death, Griswold wrote a controversial biography in which he defamed the master of horror.
The inclusion of Griswold as a character in the series is a subtle but impactful nod to Poe’s own life and the rivalry that existed between them.
5. Mr. Longfellow
Another character, Mr. Longfellow, is none other than Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, a famous poet and also Poe’s literary rival. Longfellow is introduced as the biological father of Roderick and Madeline, the protagonist siblings.
The rivalry between Poe and Longfellow was historic, and this inclusion in the series adds a level of complexity and metaphor that only the most attentive fans could appreciate.
4. Rodrick Usher’s children
“The Fall of the House of Usher” not only weaves a mysterious and chilling plot, but also pays tribute to the works of Edgar Allan Poe through the names of Roderick Usher’s children. Each of the six brothers is named after iconic characters from Poe’s works, and some even connect in intriguing ways to the episode titles.
Frederick, Tamerlane, Victorine, Camille, Napoleon and Prospero are the names these characters bear. And if you’re a fan of Poe’s work, you may have recognized these names right away. Otherwise, here you can learn more about the stories that inspired them.
3. Other characters that also come from Poe’s works
The series also pays homage to Poe’s works through other characters who come to life on screen. One of the most notable is Annabel Lee, Roderick Usher’s first wife, played by Katie Parker. This character is a walking tribute to one of Poe’s most famous poems, which bears the same name as her. The poem tells the story of pure love and the tragic loss of Poe’s wife, Virginia Clem.
Another character worth mentioning is Arthur Pym, played by Mark Hamill. He takes his name from the protagonist of the only complete novel written by Poe, “The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket.”
“The Fall of the House of Usher” also introduces characters with names that are direct references to Poe’s works, such as Lenor, C. Auguste Dupin, and William “Bill-T” Wilson.
2. Verna’s name
Verna, played by Carla Gugino, is a character who brings her own dose of mystery and complexity to the series. But what may not be immediately apparent is that the name “Verna” is a nod to Poe’s universe. Throughout Poe’s work, the author used names in symbolic or meaningful ways, and “Verna” is no exception.
It is an anagram of the word “Raven”, which means Raven in English. Which means that the antagonist all along was the representation of the animal from Poe’s famous poem.
1. The episodes are based on Poe’s work
“The Fall of the House of Usher” is a series that not only pays tribute to the life and work of Edgar Allan Poe through the names of the characters, but also weaves an intricate plot that is based on his most famous stories and poems. emblematic.
Each death and each twist adapts to classic Poe tales such as “The Masque of the Red Death,” “The Murders in Rue Morgue,” or “The Black Cat.”
This approach gives the series additional depth and allows viewers to immerse themselves in multiple facets of Poe’s literary world.