Who do you think is the most misunderstood?

[CountRicardo]

After nearly reading through the entire series again (currently on Book 12) I was once again captured by Fernald's story and saw his reason for his life decisions.

But I want to put the question to the forum, I don't know who I'd choose, and I haven't polled this because it could be absolutely anyone. But who do you guys think is the most misunderstood?

- CR

[B.]

Without a doubt, Lemony. He seems very misunderstood.

Maybe it's just his writing style, and the way he talks about himself, but he seems to be a very kind of awkward person.
Jerome also springs to mind, and I can think of Fernald as well, as you say above.

[Dante]

It depends on the context. Misunderstood by the world at large, by those who know them, or by the readers? I'd say Lemony, Fernald, and Fiona, respectively.

[andressa]

By the readers I would say Capitain Widdershins, too, plus Aunt Josephine.

[Invisible]

I agree with Farrah. Mr. Poe IS misunderstood. He's just trying to do his job, yo! It's not his fault! I also think Aunt Josie was misunderstood. She meant well, it's just that her fears overwhelmed her.

[Dante]

Come to that, Dr. Montgomery is a little bit misunderstood in the other direction. He's actually a bit of an idiot. He neither listens to nor takes seriously the Baudelaires' concerns about Stephano because he's too focussed on his own self-centred conspiracy theory about the man.

[csc]

It kinda is his fault. He doesn't believe in the children.

[B.]

Everyone is misunderstood in one way or another.

[kimoz17]

Dec 1, 2011 8:50:15 GMT -5 Dante said:

Come to that, Dr. Montgomery is a little bit misunderstood in the other direction. He's actually a bit of an idiot. He neither listens to nor takes seriously the Baudelaires' concerns about Stephano because he's too focussed on his own self-centred conspiracy theory about the man.

Plus he did not know the Sebald Code. Thus missing the message in Zombies in the Snow, later leading to his death.

[B.]

I imagine Monty was quite giddy in his youth and perhaps didn't think sebald code important. Is it not implied that he is older than the Snickets, so therefore during his VFD training the schism had not yet happened?

[Christmas Chief]

Interesting, though, that Dr. Montgomery happens to choose a movie with a secret message embedded in its dialogue. Perhaps Monty was not paying attention during that crucial scene, out purchasing the children snacks or such. Or perhaps he'd simply never taken the time to learn it.

[Dante]

There's a theory that Gustav used to translate Sebald messages for him. Perhaps Monty kept on going to Dr. Sebald's films in the hopes that he could puzzle out the messages regardless, but couldn't work them out.

[Christmas Chief]

Gustav would translate for him, but never teach him how to work out the messages for himself? It's not so difficult, in theory at least. Although I've wondered before how one is meant to transcribe or remember the message if the actors are speaking at a normal rate, so perhaps that was Monty's trouble.

[friendofvfd]

I think everyone, in their own ways, are misunderstood. But if I had to choose, I would probably go with Fernald. He is quite mysterious. No one really knows what his true intentions are. The only person who seems to really know what goes on in his head is Fiona. And possibly Captain Widdershins, to an extent.

[Christmas Chief]

I agree. Fiona, Captain Widdershins, Olaf, and the Baudelaires all have their own opinion of Fernald based on their experiences with him. No one, however, seems to see all of him at once, reinforcing the truth of his "chef salad" philosophy.