|
Post by CountRicardo on Nov 25, 2011 7:51:29 GMT -5
I've just finished reading Chapter Eight of TSS which is where we learn about what Quigley knows about V.F.D alongside his story of how he escaped the fire and whatknot.
From what I've read, it's obvious that the Quagmire fire happened just after the events of the Reptile Room as Quigley arrives at Uncle Monty's after the house has been emptied of its reptiles.
At the end of TWW though, Mr. Poe accuses Olaf of arson and until then Count Olaf hasn't commited arson to our knowledge. Is it therefore an assumption that Olaf left Monty's and went to burn down the Quagmire home as it all seems to tie in.
Sorry if this has been discussed.
- CR
|
|
|
Post by Christmas Chief on Nov 25, 2011 9:19:34 GMT -5
It's likely Olaf was involved in the Quagmire fire, yes. I don't see anything strange about the chronology you suggest, but I don't think the scene in TWW is necessarily relevant to the incident. In Chapter Thirteen of TWW, Olaf is the one who admits to arson. Mr. Poe says, "... The Lake Lachrymose Police Department will be happy to capture a known criminal wanted for fraud, murder, and the endangerment of children." "And arson," Count Olaf piped up. So it seems Olaf is indeed wanted for arson, but there's no nod toward a specific incident. Olaf seems to have been adding onto the list of his crimes in general - we know he is certainly strongly suspected of committing arson before the Quagmire fire, and very probably even before the Baudelaire fire.
|
|
|
Post by Dante on Nov 25, 2011 10:14:44 GMT -5
In fact, the reference to arson in TWW seems tailor-made to point readers back to the Baudelaire fire in the first book, the only fire of any kind in the series thus far - rather than forwards to a fire we wouldn't hear about for two books. As Sherry Ann points out, it seems highly likely that Olaf has been committing arson for a long time before that, though; it's stated in TSS that Olaf is responsible for lighting many fires which were blamed on Lemony (page 101).
|
|
|
Post by B. on Nov 25, 2011 11:07:43 GMT -5
It is actually Olaf himself who says he's committed Arson. I think he (or someone on the ignoble side of the schism) probably burned down uncle Monty's, but I believe that The Quagmire fire occurred before the fire at uncle Monty's. The fire at uncle Monty's is suggested to be arson, because as Quigly says "someone threw a burning torch on it." It is also hinted that as well as the Baudelaire and Quagmire fires Olaf is responsible for the Winnipeg fire, snicket fire(s), Widdershins fire (if there was one).
|
|