The Haunting Of Bly Manor: 9 Henry James Stories That Inspired The Series

The Altar of the Dead tells the story of George Stransom who tries to keep the memories of his dead friends and fiancée alive to save them from being forgotten entirely in the rush of everyday life. The only person George doesn't light a candle for is his own friend Hague, who had so greatly wronged him.

George soon meets a woman who lights a candle in honour of the dead like him and the two become friends, but their connection is ruined when he finds out her candle is for Hague. George's past grievances prevent him from having a fulfilling relationship in the present, and the story ends where he dies in the middle of trying to make amends with the woman and his old friend Hague.

In episode five of Bly Manor, we learn that Hannah was wronged by her ex-husband, who left her for another woman, and that pain prevented her from having a fulfilling relationship with Owen. When Owen finally musters up the courage to ask Hannah to come to Paris with him, we know that it's too late because she's dead. She never got a chance to allow herself to love again, much like George.

In the final episode, Owen opens a restaurant in Paris called "A Batter Place," a joke between him and Hannah, where he hangs her photo up to honour her memory, like her very own altar that keeps the memory of Hannah alive.