Why isn't Klaus called Lemony?

[L'enfant terrible]

Hey, after I read The end I was wondering if Violet was a boy they would have named her Lemony, but why isn't Klaus? Also has anyone noticed that Klaus's name stands out? Let me explain: Violet-the color of the rainbow, Sunny-the sun and Klaus? Their names seem a bit special but his doesn't. Just a thought, maybe they weren't expecting a boy?

[Hermes]

May 27, 2009 8:23:21 GMT -5 L'enfant terrible said:

Hey, after I read The end I was wondering if Violet was a boy they would have named her Lemony, but why isn't Klaus? ?

Perhaps by the time Klaus was born they had discovered Lemony was alive after all.

[Dante]

There was a thread on this; I'll go look for it. My theory was that the Baudelaire parents received the TBL telegram from Lemony when they returned to the mainland - since it refers to Violet's recent birth - and so they realised that Lemony had been alive all along. (Argh, sudden random theory, Violet was a woman Bertrand was in love with when he was young who died. Also just realised that if Beatrice thought Lemony was dead then her situation mirrors his.)

Edit: And in authorial terms, Violet, Klaus and Sunny are named after individuals associated with the von Bulow case, in which one Claus von Bulow allegedly attempted to murder his wife Sunny; Violet --- was the district attorney or something.

Edit Again: Dang. Can't find an obvious thread, just posts in other threads.

[L'enfant terrible]

Thanks Dante, sorry the search didn't come up with anything. And thanks for explaining about their names

[Hermes]

May 27, 2009 9:20:26 GMT -5 Dante said:

My theory was that the Baudelaire parents received the TBL telegram from Lemony when they returned to the mainland - since it refers to Violet's recent birth - and so they realised that Lemony had been alive all along.

That seems very possible - I just wasn't sure they did actually receive the telegram. L seems uncertain about whether it will arrive.

(Argh, sudden random theory, Violet was a woman Bertrand was in love with when he was young who died.)

Interesting thought!

[andrewistheman]

where did they go when they went to the mainland

[Dante]

Who? Lots of people return to the mainland from the island - or at least, they try. Actually, for those who definitely manage to get back, we don't know where they go; others, we don't know if they got back at all.

[L'enfant terrible]

TBL says 'Beatrice Sank' so they couldn't have maybe made it...

[andrewistheman]

the most valid reason is that when the baud. parents figured out lemony was alive and Klaus was born they must have been like screw it, we'll call him Klaus because its a cool name. There doesnt have to be a reason for everything. maybe klaus was a dead dude that is never mentioned. Just thinking......

[andrewistheman]

if dante is right about the Bulow case than why is Klaus spelled the way it is rather than Claus?

[Dante]

Both Claus and Klaus are accepted spellings, and if it were the former, I imagine everyone would think of Santa Claus. "Klaus" reads a bit more seriously. It's not confirmed that the Baudelaires are named after the von Bulow case, but it's considered likely.

[baudelairefortune]

May 27, 2009 8:23:21 GMT -5 L'enfant terrible said:

Hey, after I read The end I was wondering if Violet was a boy they would have named her Lemony, but why isn't Klaus? Also has anyone noticed that Klaus's name stands out? Let me explain: Violet-the color of the rainbow, Sunny-the sun and Klaus? Their names seem a bit special but his doesn't. Just a thought, maybe they weren't expecting a boy?

Theory: During the time when Klaus was conceived, Jacques met up with the Baudelaire parents and told them that Lemony is still alive.
The Unathorized Autobiography also has a letter from Jacques to Lemony(possibly sent after The Daily Punctilio published Lemony's orbituary), telling him that Jacques will meet up with the Baudelaire parents. That may also be why Violet found Jacques's name familiar.

[doetwin]

I'm over 8 years late on here, but I just assumed that the Baudelaire parents discovered that Lemony Snicket was alive before Klaus was born.