Postmodernism in A Series of Unfortunate Events
David Handler, aka Lemony Snickett in his books A Series of Unfortunate Events, portrays postmodernism through the use of a position of distance and disconnect. He also incorporates humor and irony in the story three children, Violet, Klaus, and Sunny. A series of unfortunate events is a combination of 13 books by Snickett. The first book of this children’s novel series is The Bad Beginning. A series of Bad Events begins with Violet, Klaus, and Sunny orphaned after the parents perish in a fire at their house. The children are sent to live with Count Olaf, who claims to be their relative. Things do not go as expected for the Baudelaire kids as they realized they are in crazy entanglement with Count Olaf, who is after their fortune.
The Bad Beginning has never-ending definitions and explanation of terms to certainly brilliant Baudelaire kid. From Mr. Poe’s definition to the children, what “perish” means to Snickett’s explanation of what rickety is creates a humorous in a very serious subject. Also, the Baudelaire children constantly remind them that “we know what that means” Snickett creates further humor. Mr. Poe’s way of breaking the bad news to the children is also a postmodernist writing style to show distance and disconnect to some serious news (Baudelaire’s demise). This hilarity can also be seen from watching the series, and listening to those never-ending definitions makes the series hilarious. Also, using these definitions can show he is speaking from a distance and disconnect between the kids and even the audience—a style in postmodernism.
The position of disconnect is a style well used by Snickett throughout in The Bad Beginning. Olaf’s repeatedly referring to the Baudelaire kids as orphans despite him being mean can be seen as a disconnect from the children’s misery. It is also ironic coming from a “father” as he recognizes himself. Count Olaf also lacks empathy towards the Baudelaire orphans as their guardian. The children are forced to do awful jobs and even cook for his awfully talented troupe. This is also an excellent portrayal of the disconnect from the Baudelaire kids’ troubles.
Count Olaf telling the Baudelaire kids to feel at home, yet he gives them one bed for the three of them to sleep on and forces them to do odd jobs is a perfect display of irony. A style used in postmodernism. Olaf also wants the Baudelaire’s to call him father, yet he treats them in the exact opposite way a father would is a portrayal of disconnect and irony. For instance, “I have become your father, and as your father, I am not someone to be trifled with. I demand that you serve roast beef to myself and my guest” (Snickett 46).
Count Olaf’s plan to marry Violet in order to acquire the Baudelaire kids’ fortune can also be seen as something unorthodox and unacceptable to do. However, how the writer portrays this serious matter, and the actual wedding humorously is an element of postmodernism. Count Olaf’s also always confusing figuratively and literally, makes The Bad Beginning a humorous, which is also an element employed in postmodernism. Snickett also portrays Olaf as quite a dumb character, yet at the same time, he has a perfect plan to get Baudelaire’s fortune is quite ironic. Olaf’s dumbness such as not knowing what some words mean, makes The Bad Beginning a humorous piece.
In the second book, The Reptile room Monty assuring the children that nothing will happen to them in the reptile room despite Violet and Klaus knowing how dangerous the animals are is also an irony. It is also ironic that Uncle Monty finds his harm in the reptile room despite him portraying it as a safe space. Postmodernism irony element can also be seen in Sunny being a toddler, and she does not like anything soft to eat. This contradicting statement is a style highly employed in postmodernism. Further, Monty labels a harmless snake as a deadly viper, whereas it is not dangerous is an element of contradiction writing style in postmodernism. Humor is also a postmodernism style employed in The Reptile Room. For instance, in the following exchange between Mr. Poe and Stephano, “Your left ankle please.” Mr. Poe asks Stephano, then Stephano replies, “But you’ve been coughing into that all day!”(Snickett 173).
David Handler has not been short of controversies in real life. He has been accused of racism due to his racist joke towards Woodson. Handler has lost some of his audience due to his connection in the #metoo movement also. His sexual comments toward Messner also seem to objectify women. In a world where the society is fighting these vices, Handler has definitely found himself at the wrong end. His character as a person is a less attractive one; despite him having written some excellent books, some part of the audience will always attach the value of his work to who he is as a person, and this means this type of audience will be lost.
In conclusion, Snickett’s book series A Series of Unfortunate Events, literally represents terrible events that happened to the Baudelaire kids. However, Handler perfectly employs postmodernism style of distance and disconnect from the topic. He further employs irony and humor, sometimes black humor. This has made A Series of Unfortunate events a timeless read and always entertaining to read. The series A Series of Unfortunate Events has also been able to keep up to standards and to put postmodernism writing styles into a visual in a fantastic way. Handler’s work represents the real postmodernism.
Works Cited
Snicket, Lemony. The Bad Beginning. 1999, p. 46.
Snicket, Lemony. The Reptile Room. 1999, p. 173.