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Post by Very Funky Disco on Jan 31, 2012 10:52:27 GMT -5
I think there were quite a few subtle clues given that, even though Count Olaf definitely was after the Baudelaire fortune - he also wanted Violet for other reasons, to put it politely. I think, since kids were the target audience of the series, Daniel Handler couldn't explicitly mention that - but I do think it was implied.
What are your thoughts?
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Post by Invisible on Jan 31, 2012 11:31:55 GMT -5
Of course he did! In my ficverse, he is Swedish-Catholic, and at some point in his adulthood, he chose not to practise his beliefs anymore. Enter Kit, whom he first met when she was fourteen years old. After they broke up, he longed to be with her again, and I suppose Violet, being the same age, reminded him of her.
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Post by Dante on Jan 31, 2012 13:00:23 GMT -5
The Bad Beginning is heavily influenced by gothic novels, in which the villains are always out to both disinherit and dishonour the virtuous heroine. So I think Olaf's behaviour is a clear reference to that, and in general he's just a really seedy guy.
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Post by B. on Jan 31, 2012 15:04:44 GMT -5
Yes, defiantly. The bit in TBB ".....yes, boss I know she's yours....." an in TCC "I myself hope it is violet, she's the prettiest....." highlight that.
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Post by Christmas Chief on Jan 31, 2012 16:45:31 GMT -5
One of the articles posted here addresses the issue at one point, and I'll agree the subtext of some of Olaf's threats can be read in more ways than one. As a literary mechanism, it's fascinating. As a character trait, it's quite disturbing. |
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Post by beack on Jan 31, 2012 17:17:57 GMT -5
Well, DH did want Humbert Humbert to play Olaf...
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Post by beack on Feb 1, 2012 17:14:59 GMT -5
Personally, I think he just wanted the fortune. But being the creep he is, he wouldn't mind "doing more with Violet."
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Post by Seymour Glass on Feb 16, 2012 17:50:15 GMT -5
He definitely planned on consumating the marriage with Violet.
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Post by Lady Whatever on Feb 16, 2012 18:47:54 GMT -5
I'd say Olaf considered her the icing on the cake, and as a character trait, it helped cement his evilness by adding a dash of "Now I have you, my pretty!" to his personality.
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Post by Alycia96 on Feb 16, 2012 21:17:13 GMT -5
Absolutely. Though I feel Olaf's prime motivation was acquirement of the fortune, I do believe he regarded Violet in a carnal manner. She may have incorporated a "thrill of the chase", per se. Her company, to define it gently, would have been an additional source of pleasure to coincide with the fortune. If I recall correctly, he blatantly stated that he and his bride were "off to enjoy their wedding night", of which the connotations are quite evident. And yes, Handler consistently suggests Olaf's attraction to her physical beauty. The aforementioned article - which is a lovely read! - thoroughly summarizes these implications. A golden line for me was:
Very, very interesting and astute observation, and certainly one I concur with. The notion of Olaf being so disconcerted by Violet's beauty, that he would be willing to jeopardize the Baudelaire fortune - his prime motivation throughout the series! - is very intriguing. Just how many doors it opens for a character study is infinite.
So, in conclusion, yes! I do believe Olaf sought Violet for lecherous purposes.
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Post by jman on Feb 18, 2012 22:03:10 GMT -5
I agree with Alycia96. His main goal was the fortune, but Violet was a nice bonus...
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Post by Leanora Crowe on Feb 21, 2012 13:38:26 GMT -5
I believe the fortune was his sole motivation for coming up with the plan to marry Violet, but after he had cemented his plan, he realized that he would have certain...rights once he married Violet. This gave him an extra drive, I guess you'd say. This might just be restating above opinions, but I just wanted to be clear.
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Post by Groge on Mar 4, 2012 14:35:47 GMT -5
As much I want to believe he just wanted the fortune I have to agree with others and say yes, he did want more. I mean, he's just that kinda guy. Plus the whole Kit thing. I think it is certainly hinted (or least there for us older readers to pick up on) that he isn't just after a great sum of money. Then again with money comes girls so he could probably pay anyone he wanted....Certainly an interesting, creepy, question to think about.
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Post by Groge on Mar 5, 2012 3:27:12 GMT -5
What you grinning about Countess!
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Post by Groge on Mar 5, 2012 6:42:16 GMT -5
Ah I see! You well fancy Olaf!   |
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