The Hidden Significance Unveiled: Decoding Usher's Children's Names

Warning: This article contains major SPOILERS for The Fall of the House of Usher.

Summary

The characters in the Netflix series "The Fall of the House of Usher" possess meaningful names that bear resemblance to Poe's stories and poems. Several characters in the show experience similar fates as their literary counterparts, infusing their storylines with a chilling undertone.

The characters in the series have names that reflect their personalities and actions, adding deeper meaning to their roles. Throughout The Fall of the House of Usher, Roderick Usher's six deceased children bear significant names. As the Netflix show is an adaptation of Edgar Allen Poe's story, it is expected that dark twists are present in its eight episodes. Despite their spoiled and entitled nature, all the characters ultimately face the consequences of their actions by the end of The Fall of the House of Usher. Furthermore, their deaths are intricately linked to the symbolic significance of their names.

Characters in a show based on Poe's work definitely cannot have ordinary names, and The Fall of the House of Usher ensures they are anything but ordinary. In fact, all the names are taken directly from Poe's stories and poems. While not every character experiences the same fate as their literary counterparts, some of them do. This cleverly pays homage to Poe and delights fans of his work in Netflix's The Fall of the House of Usher. From the youngest child to all of Roderick's illegitimate children, each character's name holds a deeper significance.

Frederick Usher

Frederick Usher takes his name from Frederick in Poe's inaugural published short story, "Metzengerstein: A Tale in Imitation of the German." In the German language, Frederick signifies "peace" or "peaceful ruler," which creates an ironic contrast as the Usher family's existence is anything but peaceful. In "Metzengerstein," Frederick displays merciless behavior due to his overwhelming power at a tender age. Eventually, he meets his demise in a conflagration after venturing into a burning castle. This bears striking resemblance to Frederick's demise in The Fall Of The House Of Usher, where he perishes amidst the destruction of a structure. Nevertheless, Frederick's death is also influenced by Poe's narrative known as "The Pit and The Pendulum."

Tamerlane Usher

In The Fall of the House Of Usher, Tamerlane Usher is the proprietor of her own wellness brand. However, Tamerlane fails to practice what she advocates and displays appalling treatment towards her spouse. Eventually, she meets a horrifying demise, brought about by her destructive act of shattering the mirrors in her bedroom. The name given to the Usher child is derived from Poe's poem, "Tamerlane," which revolves around a ruler who relinquishes love in favor of authority. This narrative aligns perfectly with the theme of power and wealth portrayed in the new Netflix series. Although traditionally associated with men, the name Tamerlane embodies notions of strength and determination, qualities that Tamerlane strives to embody throughout the series.

Victorine Lafourcade

Roderick Usher's illegitimate daughter, Victorine Lafourcade, meets a tragic fate influenced by Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart." However, her name originates from a separate tale. Victorine's demise occurs in a murder-suicide scenario where she kills her girlfriend, who intends to reveal her family's secrets. In "The Premature Burial," Victorine undergoes an accidental burial by her lover, leading the narrator to harbor a fear of the same fate. Although Victorine, meaning "victory" in Latin, perishes, she triumphs over her girlfriend's attempts to expose her family.

Camille L'Espanaye

Napoleon "Leo" Usher

Camille L'Espanaye, overseeing the family's public relations, is an illegitimate offspring of Roderick. Poe's short story "The Murders in the Rue Morgue" serves as the inspiration behind Camille's name. In this tale, a sailor's captive woman, along with her daughter Camille, fall victim to an orangutan's murderous rampage. Similarly, in The Fall of the House of Usher, Camille meets her demise at the hands of monkeys after visiting Victorine's laboratory. With her French origins, Camille's name is believed to signify "priest's helper," aligning with her role as Roderick's assistant in maintaining the family's public image.

Napoleon "Leo" Usher draws inspiration from a character portrayed in Edgar Allen Poe's renowned story "The Black Cat." Yet, his actual name is derived from another captivating Poe tale titled "The Spectacles." In this narrative, Napoleon narrowly escapes being deceived into marrying his own great-great-grandmother. This intriguing aspect, however, does not feature in "The Fall of the House of Usher." Instead, Napoleon engages in a romantic relationship with a gentleman named Julius. Tragically, his life is cut short when he accidentally falls out of the window of their shared apartment. The name Napoleon holds various origins, but it seemingly alludes to the infamous Napoleon Complex, which is associated with the Usher family's character.

Prospero "Perry" Usher

Prospero "Perry" Usher, the youngest Usher to succumb to death, falls victim to Verna, marking the first time she takes a life. In an abandoned warehouse, Prospero hosts an extravagant gathering that tragically concludes with him and most attendees perishing due to the corrosive downpour. The inspiration for this masquerade party derives directly from Poe's tale, "The Masque of the Red Death."

Within "The Masque of the Red Death," Prince Prospero arranges a masked ball to evade a deadly plague. However, during the festivities, a mysterious figure disguised behind a mask murders him. The name Prospero itself carries connotations of prosperity and good fortune, which aligns with the character's existence of opulence before his untimely demise in The Fall of the House of Usher. As the youngest Usher, he exudes a flamboyant demeanor, unapologetically arriving at his brother's wife's residence in a luxurious automobile and extending an invitation to his grand celebration.

Lenore Usher

Lenore is not biologically related to Roderick; she is actually the daughter of Frederick, which makes her Roderick's granddaughter. In The Fall of the House of Usher, Lenore stands out among the characters because of her innocence and undeserved fate. Roderick perceives Lenore to possess some positive traits that remind him of his late wife, Annabel Lee. The character of Lenore is inspired by the eponymous character in Edgar Allan Poe's poem, "The Raven." In the story, the protagonist mourns the death of his beloved Lenore and is visited by a raven.

The name Lenore, which can be interpreted as meaning "shining light," aptly reflects her character, as she is the only morally upright member of the Usher family. Lenore's peaceful death contrasts with the unfortunate fates of her relatives, further aligning with the essence of her name. However, being part of the Usher lineage ensures that her life cannot be spared. Roderick's haunting by the loss of Lenore mirrors the grieving protagonist in "The Raven." This connection offers a well-executed tribute to Poe's work in the Netflix series, The Fall of the House of Usher.