Among the many enigmatic symbols scattered throughout Severance, one of the most fascinating is Mark’s crystal cube - an object that seems both innocuous and deeply meaningful straight from the start of the series. Sitting on his desk with an image of his own face inside, the cube is more than just a quirky trophy. It’s a physical manifestation of Mark’s unexpected rise within Lumon’s opaque system and the emotional weight that comes with it.
The “Freshman Fluke” and the Rise of a Reluctant Pioneer
In Severance, we learn that Mark’s crystal cube was awarded after he completed his very first file - codenamed Allentown - faster than anyone else on the Macrodata Refinement (MDR) team. This seemingly small victory earned Mark a tangible token: the cube with his face embedded inside. It’s referred to as a “freshman fluke,” implying that his success was accidental rather than skillful by Dylan G. What makes this achievement so compelling is the timing. Mark had just joined Lumon while grappling with profound grief and depression, making his rapid file completion all the more remarkable. For his Innie, it's a positive reinforcement of his prowess at work and manipulation tactic early on to keep him engaged. Little does he know the files directly related to his Outie's wife's fate.
This crystal cube represents both achievement and burden - a shining trophy that also signals heightened expectations and pressure relating to his Outie's life.
Much like the cube, Mark’s identity is fragmented yet encapsulated, visible but isolated.
Why is it called Allentown?
The file Mark completed so swiftly carries a historical name - Allentown - a location associated with American Revolutionary history. This town famously concealed the Liberty Bell to protect it from British forces, symbolizing resistance and hidden rebellion. The choice of this name is unlikely to be a coincidence. Mark’s rapid completion of the Allentown file can be seen as a subtle nod to his role as a reluctant revolutionary within Lumon. Like the historic town hiding a symbol of freedom, Mark becomes an unintentional spark igniting resistance against the company’s authoritarian control. His crystal cube, therefore, is not just a token of efficiency but also a metaphorical beacon of rebellion. It foreshadows the larger employee uprising that unfolds as Severance progresses - a quiet revolt against the invisible chains that bind them.
But it was named and given to Mark by the Lumon higher-ups, so what is the symbolic weight of Allentown to them?
What makes Mark’s crystal cube so intriguing is its visual symbolism. The cube literally holds a frozen image of Mark’s face, encased in cold, clear crystal. This encapsulation can be read as a metaphor for the severance procedure itself, which fractures identity and traps consciousness within rigid boundaries. The cube reflects the dual nature of Mark’s existence - his Severed self on the Lumon floor and his Outie self grappling with loss and love outside. Much like the cube, Mark’s identity is fragmented yet encapsulated, visible but isolated.
It’s also a reminder that achievements within Lumon’s system come with a cost. The cube’s beauty contrasts with the emotional strain Mark carries, highlighting the tension between appearance and reality, reward and sacrifice.
Mark’s crystal cube is a perfect microcosm of Severance’s larger themes - identity, control, rebellion, and the emotional cost of compliance. It reminds us that even small symbols can carry immense narrative weight, blending personal tragedy with historical echoes and corporate allegory. For fans curious about the subtle details woven into Severance, the cube stands as a fascinating artifact - both an internal badge of honor and a crystal prison but also a sadistic reward for completing work on his Wife's soul. It encapsulates Mark’s fractured soul and the slow-burning revolution he inadvertently ignites.
