Spoiler Alert: This article is an examination of the final episode of Netflix’s “The Fall of the House of Usher.” If you have not reached this eerie conclusion in the series, you might want to bookmark this page for later.
As “The Fall of the House of Usher” reaches its haunting end in Episode 8 titled “The Raven,” the dark secrets that shrouded the Usher family finally come to light. The overarching theme of doom encapsulated in Edgar Allan Poe’s tales finds a chilling resonance in the finale as the curtains fall on the doomed Usher legacy.
The episode unravels the sinister pact between Roderick, Madeline, and Verna that granted them power and wealth at the dire cost of ending their bloodline. This revelation underscores the grim fate that awaited the Ushers, leading to a narrative filled with poetic justice as the empire of deceit crumbles1.
The title “The Raven” holds a symbolic representation of the ominous nature of the Ushers’ tale. As Fortunato and the House of Usher crumble, the imagery of the raven, often associated with death and misfortune in Poe’s works, accentuates the eerie atmosphere that encases the Usher mansion until the very end2.
The narrative takes a step back in time, unveiling the malicious actions of the Usher siblings. Through flashbacks, the episode explores the Ushers’ vile act of burying Rufus Griswold alive within the walls during a New Year’s Eve party in 1979, echoing the chilling themes of Poe’s “The Cask of Amontillado.” The heinous act was part of a larger scheme to seize control, reflecting the depths of malfeasance the Ushers plunged into to uphold their ill-gotten legacy1.
Moreover, the aftermath of the Usher’s downfall brings forth a semblance of closure and a fleeting glimpse of hope. With the Ushers meeting their grisly end, Juno starts a foundation to aid those battling addiction, while Auguste retreats to a peaceful life. The contrasting outcomes for the characters outside the cursed Usher lineage denote a break from the ominous cloud that hovered over the mansion, offering a sliver of solace amidst the overarching gloom1.
“The Raven” weaves the loose ends into a tight knot, offering a bleak yet poetic closure to the dark saga of the Usher family. As the eerie echoes of the Usher mansion fade into silence, the sinister dance with darkness that marked the Ushers’ existence comes to a chilling standstill.
With the haunting echoes of “The Fall of The House of Usher” gradually fading away, we transition into exploring other dark and mysterious abodes in the realm of horror. Stay with us as we venture further into the abyss, unveiling more chilling tales that await. Stay tuned to Palace of Horror for more spine-chilling analyses of horror spectacles that lie in the shadows.