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Post by gliquey on Jun 11, 2015 5:47:54 GMT -5
I liked Nero and don't really understand how you couldn't: his antagonism was laughable rather than genuinely frustrating. As for Sir, I did feel he was slightly annoying – it's one thing to be a villain, but his stubbornness was a bit too annoying. I don't really see why so many people voted for Ishmael, although I understand why the bratty character of Carmelita could be seen as tiresome.
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Post by A comet crashing into Earth on Jun 11, 2015 7:17:04 GMT -5
I think we may be defining 'least favourite' character from different criteria, and Sir, Ishmael and Nero are all 'bad' characters in different ways. Characters like Nero and Carmelita have definite traits which make them obnoxious in the eyes of pretty much every reader (such as Nero's mimicking). These are characters that you hate in the wanting-to-punch-them-in-the-face-way, while the hatred we have for Sir mainly arises mainly from concern for the protagonists' personal safety. Ishmael is a more complex character, personifying (at least in part) the reader's frustration with not having all our questions answered. Depending on which type of antagonist speaks more strongly to you, I can see why you would vote for any of these as your 'least favourite character'.
I think this, at least partially, also explains the lack of votes for Sir, as pointed out by Dante. Sir is mostly hated because he poses a threat to the Baudelaires, but ASOUE isn't the kind of book which has a strong focus on the protagonists. With so much focus on the narrator, as well as to the clues to what's going on elsewhere, or prior to the story, the reader often has his or her attention elsewhere than on the protagonists - of whom, to top it off, there's three sharing the spotlight. That's why we don't feel as intense a hatred to characters who threaten them as we do to characters that get to us in other ways. Incidentally, I also think this explains the high number of votes for Ishmael, as he taunts the reader as much as the Baudelaires by knowing things that they, and we, don't.
That said, I haven't voted in this poll. I take the phrase 'least favourite character' from a literary point of view - and looking through the list, there's nobody whom I don't think of as a valuable addition to the ASOUE world. Although I hate Count Olaf, I enjoy hating him in the same way that I enjoy hating Heathcliff, Sauron or Hunson Aberdeer.
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Post by Dante on Jun 11, 2015 10:15:07 GMT -5
I think that's a pretty accurate hypothesis, fragilethings. Sir does terrible things, but part of the reason we're reading the series is to see the Baudelaires suffer, and besides, he doesn't antagonise the reader personally in the way characters who are more accurately characterised as irritating or obnoxious do - for which, see Olaf's TGG laugh, which suffered the most widespread loathing. Actually, Sir's own abusiveness is somewhat impersonal, too, and we don't really directly see the connection between him and the conditions he forces people to work under, so emotionally it's more difficult to link the two. So the result is that Sir just comes out as an odd man sitting in an office or sauna.
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Post by gliquey on Jun 11, 2015 13:57:03 GMT -5
I take the phrase 'least favourite character' from a literary point of view - and looking through the list, there's nobody whom I don't think of as a valuable addition to the ASOUE world. This was also the basis for my reasoning: but in my case, I did vote, because the poll is about one's least favourite character (admittedly, the poll isn't quite called that, but I was basing it on the title of the thread). I voted for Sir and I do think he's a valuable addition to the series: I can't think of a character who isn't. Stories without antagonists aren't unheard of, but especially in a series focusing unduly on the unfairness, cruelty and villainy in the world shown, villains are a basic necessity. Their hyperbolic laughs, exaggerated appearances or strange idiosyncrasies make ASOUE worth reading. However, you can still love every character and still have a least favourite. I don't know what it is about Sir: it could possibly be the absurdity of a permanent cloud of smoke around his head, or his refusal to properly discuss the Baudelaires' issues (contrast with Nero, whose humorous responses made him into a fun and interesting character, despite his obvious stupidity and poor intentions). Maybe Sir just doesn't stand out as much as the other characters did. Or maybe I find impersonal abusiveness (which you just can't reason with) worse than direct attacks by, say, Nero, because those are obviously invalid and don't get too harsh. I guess I can understand how Nero's mimicry could get a bit tiresome for some people, though. The same's applicable with Olaf's laugh in TGG, although I personally didn't mind that. |
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Post by A comet crashing into Earth on Jun 11, 2015 16:01:35 GMT -5
I guess I can understand how Nero's mimicry could get a bit tiresome for some people, though. The same's applicable with Olaf's laugh in TGG, although I personally didn't mind that. I love Olaf's laugh in TGG. It's one of the things I read aloud to others most frequently.  |
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Post by Teleram on Jun 11, 2015 18:29:25 GMT -5
I honestly don't understand the hate for Mr. Poe. He's the only reason I like this annoying turd of a series at all.
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Post by Dante on Jun 12, 2015 2:06:27 GMT -5
The eighth, ninth, tenth, and thirteenth books must have been tough going for you.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 29, 2015 13:16:56 GMT -5
I would have to say Mr. Poe- He is super annoying and ignorant.
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Post by Teleram on Dec 1, 2015 23:58:18 GMT -5
No.
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Post by Dante on Dec 2, 2015 3:50:45 GMT -5
Well, instead of making one-word posts, why don't you explain what makes Mr. Poe such an appealing character in your eyes?
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Post by bear on Dec 2, 2015 11:40:13 GMT -5
if teleram were in asoue, he would be my least favorite character.
as it stands, i'd probably say Ishmael. of all the liars in the series he's definitely the filthiest.
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Post by Sophie Baudelaire on Dec 9, 2015 19:17:35 GMT -5
i hate mr. poe because he coughs all the time and he never listens to the kids when they're trying to foil olaf's plans. nero is also stupid and mocks everyone without listening to what they say. tru |
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Post by Teleram on May 30, 2016 20:38:05 GMT -5
i'm sorry for bumping this thread and responding to a question a few months late, but the main reason mr poe is my fave character is that he is just a wonderful presence. i think he has some very funny lines and steals just about every scene he is in. i don't quite know how to phrase this, but i guess you could say i think he is simultaneously a voice of reason and authority as well as a voice of non-reason and inferiority. he really wants to help the baudelaires deep down inside, but is shackled by his busy job, family and lack of 'experience", if you will. in that way i think he is a very complex and interesting character.
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Post by Esmé's meme is meh on May 30, 2016 23:48:29 GMT -5
I'm seriously going to write a fanfic of Teleram and Mr. Poe to win 2017 Best writing Darkie.
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Post by Dante on May 31, 2016 2:53:12 GMT -5
Better late than never, and I think your post shows a lot of insight into the character, Teleram; I can't disagree with your reading of Mr. Poe.
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