The Enigmatic Conclusion of The Fall Of The House Of Usher Unveiled

WARNING! This article contains SPOILERS for The Fall of the House of Usher's ending!

Summary

The tragic conclusion of The Fall of the House of Usher delves into the themes of family, greed, and repercussions, leaving a profound impact.

As a result of a pact with a shape-shifting demon called Verna, the entire Usher family suffers a cruel fate, ultimately leading to their downfall.

The story's message serves as a warning against the dangers of power, pride, and greed, emphasizing the tragic outcomes faced by families who prioritize wealth over love and goodness. In typical Mike Flanagan horror series fashion, The Fall of the House of Usher delivers a powerful and thought-provoking ending that delves into themes of family, greed, and the repercussions that follow. Drawing inspiration from Edgar Allan Poe's eponymous short story and other works, the series delves into the legacy and downfall of the affluent Usher family, headed by the corrupt CEO of Fortunato Pharmaceuticals, Roderick Usher. Despite his decades-long reign of wealth and impunity, Roderick Usher's family suffers devastating losses, as each of his children and descendants pays the ultimate price for his sins.

The conclusion of The Fall of the House of Usher sees the demise of every member of the Usher family, including Lenore, who was kind-hearted, and the abusive Frederick. All those with Usher blood are brought to their cruel ends alongside Roderick. These tragic outcomes are a result of the actions of Verna, a shape-shifting demon and a character in the story, who had struck a damning deal with young Roderick and Madeline. Roderick, after admitting that he had knowingly stepped over countless dead bodies to attain his wealth and power, is ultimately crushed to death along with his twin sister Madeline, as their ancestral home collapses. The ending of The Fall of the House of Usher is marked by Auggie Dupin's visit to the Usher family graves, where Verna recites a poem while guarding over the remains of the fallen dynasty.

Why Everyone Died In The Usher Family: Verna's Deal Explained

The deaths of all the Usher family members were a consequence of a pact made between Verna and the young twins, Roderick and Madeline Usher, on New Year's Eve in 1979. After Roderick and Madeline murdered their boss, Rufus Griswold, in order to gain power at Fortunato, they stumbled upon a bar managed by a friendly bartender named Verna. Seeking an alibi for the night, they ended up conversing with Verna, who eventually presented them with a tempting offer. Verna revealed that she could provide them with everything they desired - the position of CEO, the titles of King and Queen of Fortunato, immunity from legal consequences for their entire lives regardless of their crimes, and unimaginable wealth. However, there was a catch.

Carla Gugino's character, Verna, in House of Usher, explained that while she could grant their wishes, the next generation would bear the cost. When Roderick passed away, the Usher bloodline would cease to exist – this included Madeline, their children, and any future grandchildren. Although Roderick would enjoy a longer lifespan than any other Usher man, his children and heirs would have their privileged lives prematurely cut short. Although the deal was struck in the early hours of January 1, 1980, Verna would not fulfill her part of the agreement until November 2023, when Roderick succumbed to his terminal condition, CADASIL.

Roderick Usher's Final Line Explained: "Nevermore"

As Roderick's CADASIL advanced, Verna ensured the fulfillment of their agreement. One by one, Verna claimed the lives of those connected to Roderick's bloodline: Perry, Camille, Leo, Victorine, Tamerlane, Frederick, Lenore, Madeline, and finally, Roderick himself. Their last names did not matter, nor did their virtuous nature or opposition to Roderick's immoral deeds fueled by his pride, power, and wealth. On that fateful night 43 years ago, anyone with even a drop of Usher blood became condemned to death by Roderick.

Just prior to the collapse of his childhood abode, Roderick utters the word "nevermore." This phrase is famously linked to Edgar Allan Poe's poem "The Raven," as it is repeatedly spoken by the eponymous bird in order to torment the main character. Within the poem, the narrator expresses sorrow over the loss of his beloved Lenore, which correlates to Roderick grieving for his kind-hearted granddaughter Lenore due to his own actions. The narrator of the poem ultimately ponders whether he will be reunited with Lenore in the afterlife, to which the raven responds with the word "nevermore." Toward the conclusion of "The Raven," the narrator exclaims that his soul will never be "lifted" again, indicating a gloomy fate of endless anguish and sorrow.

Though Lenore was already deceased, Roderick had been continuously receiving texts from an artificial intelligence replica of her throughout the entire night, persistently uttering the word "nevermore" in various manifestations. Subsequently, as his sister Madeline—whom he believed he had already dispatched—assaults him, echoing the same demises as their progenitors did over six decades ago, Roderick vocalizes "nevermore." In this fateful instant, as Madeline and Roderick meet their demise in the manner that foretold the inception of their lineage, a profound sense of reckoning pervades their family legacy. Nevermore shall such events occur within the Usher family; nevermore shall Roderick claim the lives of the blameless for his own gain; nevermore shall the Ushers endure the anguish, hubris, and avarice that both shaped and destroyed them—they all dissipate, entwined with Roderick and Madeline, in that precise moment.

Verna’s “Spirits Of The Dead” Poem Explained

In the conclusion of The Fall of the House of Usher, Auggie pays a visit to the Usher family's tombstones to update them about the post-departure world. Auggie retired from his endeavors, Juno ceased the intake of Fortunato's Ligodone medication and inherited Roderick's wealth, Fortunato's fortune was entirely consumed by addiction recovery and research, and Arthur spent the rest of his days behind bars. As Auggie walks away, Verna recites an eerie poem at the graveyard, adorned with objects symbolizing the ultimate causes of their downfall. The words spoken by Verna are borrowed from Edgar Allan Poe's poem, "Spirits of the Dead".

“Thy soul shall find itself alone

’Mid dark thoughts of the gray tombstone—

Not one, of all the crowd, to pry

Into thine hour of secrecy.

Be silent in that solitude,

Which is not loneliness—for then

The spirits of the dead who stood

In life before thee are again

In death around thee—and their will

Shall overshadow thee: be still.

The night, tho’ clear, shall frown—

And the stars shall look not down

From their high thrones in the heaven,

With light like Hope to mortals given—

But their red orbs, without beam,

To thy weariness shall seem

As a burning and a fever

Which would cling to thee for ever.

Now are thoughts thou shalt not banish,

Now are visions ne’er to vanish;

From thy spirit shall they pass

No more—like dew-drop from the grass.

The breeze—the breath of God—is still—

And the mist upon the hill,

Shadowy—shadowy—yet unbroken,

Is a symbol and a token—

How it hangs upon the trees,

A mystery of mysteries!”

The poem explores death's inherent beauty and presents a holistic view of man and nature. It acknowledges death's mysterious nature and cautions against romanticizing it, as it is the most enigmatic aspect of life. Additionally, the poem emphasizes that while individuals may experience loneliness in life, death unites them. In the case of the Usher family, each member suffered from isolation, stemming from their father's lack of affection. Their pursuit of pride, greed, and power ultimately left them hollow and competitive. However, in death, they finally find the genuine family bond they longed for but could not achieve in life. Death brings them the peace and unity that eluded them during their existence, as their endless desires led to their downfall.

What's The Meaning Of The Fall Of The House Of Usher?

The Fall of the House of Usher serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of power, the sins of pride and greed, and the inevitable tragedies that plague families. Roderick Usher, in his pursuit of wealth and power, betrayed his innocent family, ultimately leading to their cruel demise. The lure of money and privilege proved empty, and Roderick's selfish ambitions caused immeasurable suffering and sorrow, condemning millions to dreadful fates.

Just like the character Annabel Lee, Roderick's true happiness and wealth were found when he had no material riches. While he may have amassed billions of dollars in his life, he lacked love, goodness, respect, and a meaningful legacy. Had Roderick chosen a humble life with Annabel Lee, Frederick, and Tamerlane, filled with love and kindness, he would have experienced true happiness. Instead, his pride corrupted his heart, his children, and any wealth or status he achieved.

The message of "The Fall of the House of Usher" serves as a warning that immense wealth comes at the cost of making a pact with evil. In the pursuit of maintaining their empire, individuals forsake their principles, values, and humanity. This unwavering pursuit of wealth perpetuates a grim existence and legacy for entire families, as generational wealth ensures the perpetuation of a cursed mindset. Even if Roderick were to pass away and his heirs were to live on, he would have passed down his tainted mentality to his offspring, corrupting them and staining Lenore as well. Despite her efforts to utilize the Usher family's wealth for good, the evil that originated from their money and actions would forever taint her.

When greed, money, pride, and power dictate what is considered as "love" and acceptance within a family, the outcome is inevitable destruction. Even though Auggie fabricated the presence of an informant in the House of Usher, the family hastily turned against one another without a second thought. Lenore and Annabel Lee, despite their inherent goodness, are unable to withstand the pervasive poison that has infiltrated their bloodline. It is only in death, when such endeavors become futile, that there exists a glimmer of hope for the Ushers to reunite as one. From the moment Roderick prioritized personal success and wealth over his family and principles, the fate of the House of Usher was sealed.