Season 6 of American Horror Story (AHS), titled “Roanoke,” draws heavily from the infamous and still-unsolved mystery of the Lost Colony of Roanoke, blending it with elements of found-footage horror and true-crime docudramas to create a uniquely unsettling experience. While taking considerable creative liberties, the core narrative hinges on the historical disappearance of the Roanoke colonists in 1590, intertwining it with fictionalized accounts of malevolent supernatural forces and gruesome family histories.
The Historical Roots of Roanoke: The Lost Colony
The foundation of “Roanoke” lies in the real-life enigma of the Roanoke Colony, established by English settlers in present-day North Carolina in the late 16th century. In 1587, a group of 117 men, women, and children, led by Governor John White, landed on Roanoke Island. White soon returned to England for supplies, but due to the Anglo-Spanish War, his return was delayed for three years. Upon his arrival in 1590, the colony was deserted. All that remained was the word “CROATOAN” carved into a post, and “Cro” carved into a tree.
This discovery sparked centuries of speculation and theories, ranging from assimilation with local Native American tribes to disease, starvation, and violent conflict. The colonists’ fate remains one of the most enduring mysteries in American history, providing fertile ground for horror narratives that exploit the inherent uncertainty and potential for supernatural explanations.
AHS’s Creative License: Beyond Historical Fact
While the historical mystery forms the backdrop, AHS: Roanoke takes considerable creative liberties. The season introduces the characters of Matt and Shelby Miller, a married couple terrorized by supernatural forces after relocating to a secluded farmhouse in North Carolina. Their story is presented as a true-crime docudrama called “My Roanoke Nightmare,” complete with reenactments by actors Lily Rabe and Andre Holland, playing Shelby and Matt, respectively.
The show then escalates the horror by revealing the true history of the Roanoke area, implicating a malevolent entity known as “The Butcher” (Agnes Mary Winstead), a woman possessed by a vengeful spirit and driven to murder anyone who threatens her claim to the land. The season also incorporates elements of cannibalism, pagan rituals, and the presence of the Croatoan tribe, all amplified for dramatic effect.
FAQs: Delving Deeper into AHS: Roanoke
Here are some frequently asked questions that shed further light on the inspirations and nuances of AHS: Roanoke:
FAQ 1: How accurate is AHS: Roanoke to the actual Roanoke Colony mystery?
The accuracy is highly debatable. While the show acknowledges the historical facts of the colony’s disappearance and the “CROATOAN” carving, it significantly embellishes the story with supernatural elements and fictional characters. The season is more a horror fantasy inspired by the Roanoke mystery than a historically accurate portrayal.
FAQ 2: Who is “The Butcher” character based on?
“The Butcher” is loosely based on John White, the governor of the Roanoke Colony. In AHS: Roanoke, “The Butcher” is Agnes Mary Winstead, a woman possessed by a vengeful spirit, who leads the Roanoke settlers. This is a complete inversion of the real John White, who was the leader of the original colony and who, upon his return, found it abandoned. This inversion adds a layer of ironic horror to the season.
FAQ 3: What is the significance of the word “Croatoan” in AHS: Roanoke?
In both history and the show, “CROATOAN” is a vital clue. In history, it’s the only surviving word found at the abandoned colony. In AHS: Roanoke, it represents a powerful ward against evil. Characters use it to ward off the malevolent spirits haunting the land, highlighting its presumed protective powers.
FAQ 4: What other historical events or figures inspired AHS: Roanoke?
Beyond the Roanoke Colony, the season draws inspiration from general themes of colonial violence, the displacement of Native American populations, and the superstitions prevalent during the colonial era. While there isn’t a direct one-to-one correlation, the season taps into the anxieties and fears associated with early American history.
FAQ 5: How does the “My Roanoke Nightmare” format enhance the horror?
The found-footage, docudrama style enhances the horror by creating a sense of verisimilitude. The “real” story of Matt and Shelby, as told through interviews and reenactments, makes the supernatural events seem more plausible and immediate. This blurring of the line between reality and fiction intensifies the fear factor.
FAQ 6: What are the major differences between the reenactments and the “real” events in the show?
The reenactments are often presented in a more sensationalized and dramatic manner than the “real” events, as narrated by Matt and Shelby. This highlights the unreliability of memory and the subjectivity of storytelling. The actors in the reenactments also tend to be more flamboyant and over-the-top, adding to the theatricality of the horror.
FAQ 7: What is the significance of the Polk family in AHS: Roanoke?
The Polk family represents the dark underbelly of American folklore and the dangers of isolation. They are a family of inbred cannibals who have inhabited the Roanoke area for generations, preying on unsuspecting victims. Their presence highlights the themes of savagery, survival, and the breakdown of societal norms in the face of extreme circumstances.
FAQ 8: What role do the spirits of the Roanoke colonists play in the story?
The spirits of the Roanoke colonists are portrayed as vengeful and territorial, driven by a desire to reclaim their land and punish those who trespass upon it. They are led by “The Butcher” and represent the haunting legacy of colonial violence.
FAQ 9: Does AHS: Roanoke offer any explanation for the historical disappearance of the Roanoke Colony?
The show does not offer a definitive historical explanation. Instead, it presents a supernatural interpretation, suggesting that the colonists were either massacred by “The Butcher” and her followers or driven into the wilderness and transformed into monstrous beings by the dark forces of the land.
FAQ 10: How does AHS: Roanoke explore themes of exploitation and cultural appropriation?
The show subtly explores themes of exploitation by depicting the Millers profiting from their traumatic experience through the “My Roanoke Nightmare” show. The use of Native American folklore and rituals, particularly the “CROATOAN” ward, can also be interpreted as a form of cultural appropriation.
FAQ 11: Is there any hope for survival in AHS: Roanoke?
Survival is rare and fleeting in AHS: Roanoke. The season is known for its high death toll and its relentless portrayal of violence and suffering. The few characters who do survive often emerge traumatized and irrevocably changed.
FAQ 12: How does AHS: Roanoke contribute to the overall mythology of American Horror Story?
AHS: Roanoke solidifies the series’ reputation for exploring dark themes, unsettling imagery, and complex characters. It contributes to the overarching mythology by delving into the history of America’s haunted past and exploring the enduring power of fear and superstition. The connection between place and evil, a recurring theme in AHS, is particularly prominent in Roanoke, reinforcing the idea that certain locations are inherently cursed.