This House Is Haunted - The Importance and Secret Life of Mae's Grandfather in Night in the Woods

Mae's Grandfather has been a constant source of fan speculation. Was he a member of the Cult? Was he a member of the Tooth Society? Did he too have the Glimmer?
Today, we'll be diving into all that and more!
If you enjoy this type of content, please consider supporting me on Patreon:
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Huge shout out to my Night in the Woods collaborators Wolf.Godwin and Jordi Jaen Morales Moreno!
/ @wolfgodwin
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[@monsieurlefrog8706]

"they feared death so they ate the young" is such a great line

[@owlbatross9187]

Oh yeah, such an incredible line! And it sums up the cult's viewpoint perfectly!

[@ToastyNoneofyourbusiness]

This game has unfortunately aged like wine. It was accurate at the time of the game's release, it is even more accurate now. Nowadays young people feeling as though the old are eating them is a very common sentiment.

[@darkninjafirefox]

I tend to get super anxious when people talk about Mae's grandad because of people connecting him to the cult and concluding that he was a part of it when its very clear he isn't One my favorite parts of the ending is when you show Mae's dad the tooth and when he asks her if she'll stand in solidarity with him she's immediately on board. As always, im so excited for the next installment

[@owlbatross9187]

I'm with you there my friend, I try not to deal in absolutes when it comes to theories, but I am 100% in my belief that Mae's granddad wasn't a cult member. The opening poem makes it crystal clear! Same here, I love that part of the ending! Really brings the game's themes of unionization together in a beautiful way. I'll be talking about that in detail in the video about Mae's dad!

[@AndersenMiller-g1t]

What about a graphic novel

[@jayzo]

I always thought "this house is haunted" is the grandpa being a funny dude and knowing he was about to pass was referring to it soon being haunted by his spirit looking out for the family.

[@owlbatross9187]

I mean, totally could be that too! He definitely seemed like a pretty comical guy based on Miss Rosa's stories about him!

[@junob9211]

not only is “they feared death so they ate the young” a metal line, but it’s a reference to a satirical piece from 1729 called “a modest proposal”. it suggested that, to eliminate hunger and poverty, people should eat their own children.

[@owlbatross9187]

It's definitely a very metal line! And good catch - it definitely is a reference to that Jonathan Swift essay! I remember reading that back in college!

[@Hallasammal]

"They feared death, so they ate the young" is also a reference to A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift. It's satirical political critique, where the modest proposal is to simply eat the children of the irish poor, so they wouldn't be a burden to society. I think it's a very appropriate reference for this game

[@owlbatross9187]

Oh right, A Modest Proposal - good catch! That's a classic, I remember reading that in college! Definitely seems like a reference to it, and come to think of it, I'm pretty sure I remember Scott Benson mentioning A Modest Proposal on Twitter at some point. It's certainly appropriate for the game, I totally agree with you there!

[@O-carto]

The looper

[@cartwheelkids]

Re: "This house is haunted"... In one version of the Bea ending, Mae explains this statement before the final band practice. According to her interpretation, Mae's grandpa was not referring to her literal house or family, but to Possum Springs as a whole. Mae: My granddad, before he died, his last words were like, “This house is haunted.” Bea: Ok, that’s spooky. Was he in your house? Mae: No, he was like looking out the window at the hospital. But I think I get what he meant. This whole… place. [Lots of dialogue about witchy teens, Germ and his grandma, and Lori M] Bea: Those guys last night - they’re like ghosts in an old mansion. Don’t know they’re dead. Just stalking around killing whoever moves in. Mae: Like granddad said. It’s haunted. But there’s also a lot of witches in it, and that makes me feel a tiny bit better. After that, Bea even says, "So the entire Rust Belt is just lousy with ghosts and witches?" I think that goes beyond what the granddad meant, though, and definitely beyond the Possum Spring cult.

[@juliemassam933]

I didn't even put together that Mae's granddad was trying to mention the cult in the opening story! Great video!

[@owlbatross9187]

Thank you, I appreciate it! It took me a few times to piece it together as well! And then when I took a close look at the quotes, I was blown away about how appropriate they are!

[@GirlWhoLovesTurtles]

My grandpa was never very interested in video games but I think he would have liked Night in the Woods. He worked at GM and took part in the picket lines, so I think he'd respect a story like this.

[@owlbatross9187]

That's awesome! I'm sure your grandpa had some interesting stories about that time period! I think a lot of folks from our grandparents generation could relate to Night in the Woods in that regard, it really is one of the most pro-worker/pro-union games out there!

[@SeansterTheMonster]

I love how deep the lore is and how you manage to piece it all together, awesome video!

[@owlbatross9187]

Me too! Glad you enjoyed it, I had a blast tying all this lore together! Had this one kicking around in my head since I started this channel, so it sure feels great to finally put it out there!

[@deathwishkawaii]

I did always think it was odd that Mae didn't react to Arthur Borowski's name during the micro-fish segment. Unless I missed something lol. But great video! I love all of these speculative lore videos that you make. NITW has been a favorite of mine since it was released and I appreciate you keeping these conversations alive, as well as the community surrounding this awesome game! :)

[@owlbatross9187]

I totally agree, it was a bit weird that Mae didn't react to his name during that segment! Especially considering that she does reference him during her convo with Ms. Rosa. But then again, I suppose they wanted to leave a few things for us fans to piece together! I'm glad you enjoyed this video and the other lore videos, they're so much fun to piece together! It's been great to keep these conversations about the game going, hopefully they'll tide us over until Revenant Hill comes out!

[@deathwishkawaii]

@@owlbatross9187 yes!!! I am so stoked for Revenant Hill :D

[@carna-9501]

When you mentioned that Mae and her ancestors have fought the same battle it reminded me of something. The conservatives of the past being the bosses who overwork and abuse their employees, and the conservatives of the present being the older generation, are around the same age.

[@owlbatross9187]

That's definitely true - good catch! The conservatives of the past and those of the present are definitely around the same age in their respective timelines. The game is likely making some commentary there about how some folks become more conservative - and start fighting against the best interests of younger folks - as they get older.

[@anthonycuevasproduction]

Great video as always I didn’t even realize how important mass grandpa is to the Story i can’t wait for your next few characters analysis’s im so glad that someone is keeping this amazing game alive keep up the great work man 😁

[@owlbatross9187]

Thank you my friend! I didn't realize how important he was until after a few playthroughs, when I saw all the connections between the opening poem and the rest of the story. I can't wait for the next ones either, I have so much to say about her dad and her mom! It's an honor to keep the game alive! Night in the Woods forever!

[@rileyhopkins9940]

Loved the Disco Elysium comparison with the tooth society. That actually helped a lot, lol. It makes a lot of sense! I love your interpretation of the glimmer and how you put it all together. I really enjoyed what you said about Mae's grandad passing the torch to Mae's dad through Mae giving him the tooth. Great video!

[@owlbatross9187]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it! Yeah I love the similarities between the Hardy Boys and the Tooth Society - I'll actually be doing a big comparison of the two games at some point down the line and that's one of the big things they have in common. The passing of the torch a great moment for sure, and I'll be taking a closer look at it when I cover her dad next month!

[@nanometers5859]

I played this game a couple of times and I didn't know I could talk to Germs grandma!!! well another reason to play it again I guess

[@owlbatross9187]

It's easy to miss! It's something that they added in for the Weird Autumn edition. You have to talk to Germ every day and complete both of his hangout segments. Then, on Day 11, he'll invite you over for Sloppy Joe's!

[@rainbospud4316]

This is such a good video! I am so excited for Lori and Selmers, they are some of my favorites. Then again, just about every character is one of my favorites

[@owlbatross9187]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it! I'm stoked for them too! I have so much to say about Selmers in particular, I think she's incredibly important to Mae's recovery, both in the consistency she brings to her schedule and the fact that they're both patients of Dr. Hank

[@BrotatoPotato]

Man I love Night in the Woods and I love your videos.

[@owlbatross9187]

Thank you my friend! I've had this video kicking around in my head for quite a while, so it feels great to finally put it out there!

[@CommanderUesugi]

I really love seeing how you're able to piece the meaning and impact of it all together. I'm definitely the sort who's bad at reading in and finding a deeper meaning so I'm glad I can finally get new perspective after passing by this video by chance. Excited for more soon :]

[@owlbatross9187]

Thank you! I was an English major in college, so this type of stuff is right in my wheelhouse haha! To be fair, it's tricky to piece things together with Night in the Woods, because a lot of the key details are rather spread out and buried just by the nature of how they tell the story. Can't wait to do more of these, I'll have another NITW video out soon!

[@numberfifth7095]

I had figured 'they went looking for the gods and died in lonely places' was a reference to how the deep hollow hollerers died. Way out in the woods, trying to communicate with gods.

[@ciberhina]

Great video!! the love you have for the game is easy to see (or hear? XD) which are the best type of game videos imo. I too missed on the grandpa details and it makes the whole picture so much richer. Can't wait to watch more!

[@owlbatross9187]

Thank you, I appreciate it! I've been a huge fan of the game ever since it came out, so making these videos is just so much fun for me. The grandpa stuff has changed my view of the game, really makes everything so much more impactful. More videos are on the way, I'm already hard at work on the next one!

[@nerdybird5764]

This is a very well made analysis! Very interesting things helps me understand the story on a deeper level. Love the little disco elysium shout out there lol

[@owlbatross9187]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it! Oh yeah I'm a big fan of Disco Elysium haha, I'll actually be doing a huge comparison between DE and NITW at some point! I think there's a lot of similarities there!

[@akimboakimboakimbo]

hey!!! i wanted to watch this when is came out last night but my power (and wi-fi) went out. it came on this morning, so excited to watch!!!

[@owlbatross9187]

That's alright, no worries! My power went out on Friday night too unfortunately haha, a lot of storms in my area this weekend! Hope you enjoyed it, I had a lot of fun making this one!

[@sean.9528]

My favorite video you've made yet Good stuff!

[@owlbatross9187]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it! This is easily my favorite as well, I've been planning this one for quite some time!

[@shrimplovercat]

ive played night in the woods before but i missed so much of what was in this video! this was really well written and put together, excited to see your future analyses!

[@owlbatross9187]

Thank you, I appreciate it! I'm very excited for the next few analysis videos! I have a lot to say about Mae's mom and dad!

[@NERlNERl]

Excellent video! you always deliver

[@owlbatross9187]

Thank you! I had a great time working on this one, easily my favorite video yet!

[@bartskywalker8121]

I don't know about you guys, but I'd personally like a video about the rooftop cat. It may just look like a sleeping cat, but it's much more important than we think. Anyway great video as always!

[@owlbatross9187]

Thank you my friend, I appreciate it! Maybe at some point I'll do a video covering the background characters, the rooftop cat included!

[@origin3100]

i didn't remember the library in the church and didn't know you could visit germ's house ty

[@That_Ozian]

Excited to see more!

[@owlbatross9187]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it! I'll be dropping another Night in the Woods video next Friday!

[@compassrose1466]

LMAO I was just piecing this together by your other videos. This makes sense and I love this theory!

[@Cally_bbykid]

I did not know abt the church library and being able to go to Germ's house. I am delightfully blown away

[@owlbatross9187]

You're not alone, a lot of people don't know about those segments! Both were added in the Weird Autumn update. The segment at Germ's house in particular is really cool

[@ShinGallon]

One thing we can say for certain is that Mae's grandfather was based af.

[@owlbatross9187]

Got that right! Stood up to his boss and vandalized his car? Don't mess with that guy!

[@artrianna]

what a beautiful explanation

[@deshaunx776]

👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🥹 Bro… I’m clapping like the groundskeeper at the end of Rudy. Well done.

[@owlbatross9187]

Hahaha excellent reference! One of my favorite movies, top tier comment my friend! I've been meaning to do this video for quite a while, it feels great to finally put it out there!

[@cake_9510]

I wonder if the tooth society is supposed to be a mirror to the people of Harlen county in any way

[@owlbatross9187]

That might be the case - I definitely think there's a comparison to be made there for sure! The Harlan County War, the Battle of Blair Mountain, and other similar worker's uprisings in Appalacia probably helped inspire the idea

[@IrisBobiris3]

Rest in power, Grandpa Borowski.

[@milaledova9856]

deers antlers above germs grandma.... antlers are a sign of prophet

[@owlbatross9187]

You're absolutely right, I've never noticed that before! Great catch! Definitely drives home the point that she's a prophet for the endgame events!

[@m56131]

Do you think there’s a connection between maes house and the house you see the Harley kids at? It’s the only 2 houses with a red star? Maybe another tooth holder

[@owlbatross9187]

That's a great question, I'll have to take a closer look at that! A lot of the houses in Possum Springs seem to be generational, so it's definitely possible!

[@m56131]

@@owlbatross9187 had a thought about maes grandad saying “they went looking for the gods and died in lonely places” when I read this when replaying I thought it was a reference to the band that the 2 music guys tell you about(and we see in the dreams). How they went out into the woods (I assume to play to the gods of the forest) and then died of exposure. What do you think?

[@TyrannoNoddy]

I wonder how the connection to the Black Goat even started? Like, the connection being hereditary every second generation makes sense, but how did this all begin?

[@owlbatross9187]

That's a great question! I'll have to take a look and see if I can figure that out. It definitely had to start somewhere! Wouldn't be surprised if Lost Constellation and Mae's dreams hold some clues

[@SomniSmough]

Its an awesome Video but Mae doesnt have Dissosiactive Personality disorder. It would mean that she had more than one Personality living in the same Body. What Mae does have is an unspecified Dissosiactive Disorder which shows itself in Form of Derpersonalization and Derealization Dissociative Personality Disorder is what you might still know as Multiple Personalities Disorder

[@owlbatross9187]

Hey there! You're absolutely right - she does not have dissociative personality disorder, that was a mistake on my part. Some other folks have mentioned it as well, and it's something I've made an effort to correct in my more recent videos. I'll be addressing the topic in general and setting the record straight when Mae gets her own video in the Fall. But in the meantime, thank you for bringing this to my attention, I appreciate people keeping me honest with this type of thing!

[@upumpkin]

It is called Dissociative Identity Disorder, not Multiple Personality Disorder or Dissociative Personality Disorder. You're right that she has an unspecified dissociative disorder.

[@beetjegek6569]

wait at 5:30 you say mae has disasociative personality disorder.. also know as did. Do you really think maes body posses multiple people?

[@owlbatross9187]

Hey there! As someone pointed out on one of my older videos, I have been using an outdated definition of DID in these essays. I apologize for the mistake and will be correcting it moving forward. It would be more accurate to say that Mae suffers from chronic disassociation, de-personalization, and depression, but not DID.

[@beetjegek6569]

@@owlbatross9187 thanks for ur answer!

[@cultoftheblackgoat]

Hmmm interesting

[@kikrinman1450]

Wouldn't the cult realisticlly also want worker's rights and opportunities for miners in the vision of the future. It sounds to me that the cult would've tossed that abusive mine boss into the pit, which maybe paints them as a more extreme side of the same coin. Plenty of conservative-minded people like members of the cult also tend to be pro-worker, as many of them are workers or former workers in the industry. They aren't usually prancing around with monicles and tophats anymore. Any idea that they "sound the same" seems very rhetorical and seems to serve as an excuse to retort "right wingers bad"

[@owlbatross9187]

You're absolutely right that there are plenty of conservative minded folks who support worker's rights! It's by no means an exclusively left wing issue. I can think of plenty of effective unions that swing to the right demographically. But that doesn't appear to be the case with the cult. They specifically target people who they deem to be undesirables, and down in the final confrontation with the cult it's actually insinuated that many of them never worked in the mines or factories in the first place. If they actually cared about worker's rights, I think they'd be helping people like Stan protest against his union-busting boss at Ham Panther, not running a murder cult.

[@RichterRacc]

​@owlbatross9187 leftists are entirely capable and have historically removed and murdered undesirables, that's not a left/right issue, that's a human one.

[@UnliveingEnd]

English teacher vibes

[@owlbatross9187]

Funny enough, at one point, that was my day job lol!

[@soulprospector6931]

I really don't think the story is political as you think. Conservatives don't kill random unproductive people and even liberals have a distain towards immigrants who take their jobs. Good video anyway tho I liked it

[@cake_9510]

I wonder if the tooth society is supposed to be a mirror to the people of Harlan county in any way