Summary:
- Severance introduces The Four Tempers as part of Kier Eagan’s philosophy: Woe, Frolic, Dread, and Malice.
- These emotional forces define human character and influence Lumon Industries’ corporate ideology.
- The Four Tempers play a key role in Macrodata Refinement’s number sorting and Lumon’s workplace rituals.
Introduction: In Severance, the mysterious corporate philosophy of Kier Eagan revolves around the Four Tempers, a system categorizing human emotions into Woe, Frolic, Dread, and Malice. These tempers serve as a foundation for Lumon Industries’ ideology, influencing everything from employee tasks to company propaganda.
Origins of the Four Tempers in Severance
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Kier Eagan, founder of Lumon Industries, formulated the Four Tempers as a means to categorize human emotions and achieve self-mastery. According to Lumon lore, each temper must be tamed to create a balanced individual. The tempers include:
- Woe (melancholy and sadness) – Symbolized by the Gaunt Bride.
- Frolic (joy and frivolity) – Represented by a jester.
- Dread (fear and anxiety) – Depicted as an old crone.
- Malice (rage and ill intent) – Illustrated as a ram.
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Symbolism and Cultural Impact in Severance
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The Four Tempers are embedded in Lumon’s culture through various rituals and propaganda, such as:
- Macrodata Refinement (MDR): Employees unknowingly sort number clusters into categories corresponding to the Four Tempers.
- Waffle Party Performance: Dancers portray each temper, reinforcing their importance.
- Perpetuity Wing Exhibit: An animatronic Kier Eagan delivers a speech on the Four Tempers.
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How the Four Tempers Relate to MDR’s Work
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MDR employees sort numbers based on emotional reactions, aligning with the Four Tempers:
- WO (Woe) – Green
- FC (Frolic) – Yellow
- DR (Dread) – Red
- MA (Malice) – Blue
Mark and his team unknowingly engage in this classification, raising questions about Lumon’s true motives.
Theories on Lumon’s True Intentions
Speculation suggests that MDR’s sorting process may be refining severed employees’ personalities, ensuring an ideal balance of the Four Tempers. Some theories connect this process to Ms. Casey/Gemma’s transformation, hinting at deeper experiments on severed individuals.
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The Four Tempers are more than a philosophical concept in Severance—they are a tool for control and manipulation. Through rituals, propaganda, and hidden workplace practices, Lumon enforces Kier’s ideology, ensuring employees conform to its corporate doctrine. As Severance continues, the true nature of the Four Tempers and their role in Lumon’s experiments will become clearer.
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