Exploring the Connections Between Severance and a 207-Year-Old Gothic Horror Classic: Revealing Lumon’s True Purpose

Warning! This article contains spoilers for episode 2 of Severance season 2.

The intriguing connections between Severance and the iconic 207-year-old gothic novel might illuminate Lumon Industries’ underlying motives. Unlike many other Apple TV+ sci-fi productions, such as Silo and Dark Matter, which are adaptations of literature, Severance stands out as an original narrative. Nevertheless, it becomes clear that the show draws from a rich tapestry of influences spanning films, literature, and even video games.

The visual motifs of the series echo elements found in films such as Dark City, Playtime, and Office Space. Meanwhile, its thematic depth resonates with classics like The Truman Show, Being John Malkovich, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, along with video games such as The Stanley Parable and the beloved Dilbert comics. In particular, the influence of Mary Shelley’s classic gothic horror novel becomes apparent, revealing the truths behind Lumon’s intentions.

Examining the Parallels Between Severance and Frankenstein

During episode 2 of season 2, Mark’s revelation about seeing Gemma’s lifeless body prompts questions about her possible resurrection. This echoes the very essence of Victor Frankenstein’s ambition, who dared to breach the division of life and death by creating a monster from cadavers. Lumon Industries, too, seems to flirt with the boundaries of mortality, suggesting a hidden agenda akin to Frankenstein’s grotesque ambitions.

Visually, the series pays homage to the German Romantic artist Caspar David Friedrich’s masterpiece, Wanderer above the Sea of Fog, with Kier Eagan positioned as the central figure amidst the uncertainty. This painting has historically been linked with Shelley’s work, illustrating Victor Frankenstein’s escalating disarray as he grapples with his creation.

The act of creation in both narratives bears striking similarities. Just as Victor Frankenstein assumes the role of a deity when he births his creature, Kier Eagan is venerated within Lumon—the workers revering him as a god-like figure for accomplishing feats others deemed impossible. In a startling alignment with Frankenstein’s paternal musings regarding his monstrosity, Kier, too, expresses a protective affection towards his employees:

“Come now, children of my industry, and know the children of my blood.”

Much like Frankenstein’s creation, the innies of Lumon face an identity crisis, as expressed by Irving when he laments that “it is not our world out there.”Longing for the authenticity of human life, they are similarly stripped of freedom and genuine experiences. As the narrative unfolds, Lumon’s human constructs begin to rebel against their creators, echoing the monster’s struggle for autonomy and self-acceptance. Mark’s quest for true love mirrors the monster’s journey, creating a parallel that suggests that Lumon’s manipulations of his wife, Gemma, will lead to adverse outcomes.

Insights on Lumon’s Crusade: Reviving and Refining Humanity

Lumon Mirrors Frankenstein’s Ambition Within Gothic Horror

While Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein serves as a cautionary tale about mortality and the hubris of wielding supernatural power, Severance explores these themes through a capitalistic lens. One well-known tenet from Kier Eagan reveals his expectation that Lumon’s workforce suppress their vulnerabilities, rise from metaphorical graves, and “sally forth.”This perspective indicates that Eagan views emotional complexity as a hindrance, inevitably curtailing productivity in a corporate setting.

“Let not weakness live in your veins. Cherished workers, drown it inside you. Rise up from your deathbed and sally forth, more perfect for the struggle.”

Kier Eagan’s ambitions to engineer a workforce entirely defined by loyalty and efficiency implicitly suggest that he, much like Frankenstein, aims to create a novel form of life. However, he grossly underestimates the potential for consciousness and resistance within his creations. Just as Frankenstein’s monster sought to reclaim autonomy amidst its creator’s negligence, Lumon’s subjects may strive to reclaim their humanity from the cold grasp of corporate machination.

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