The Bad Beginning Character Analysis

Violet

Fourteen-year-old Violet is the eldest Baudelaire child, and like Klaus, is known for her smarts. Unlike Klaus, however, Violet’s intelligence is practical. She is an avid inventor who enjoys solving problems in the real… read analysis of Violet

Klaus

Twelve-year-old Klaus is the middle Baudelaire child, and like his older sister, Violet, Klaus is exceptionally smart. While Violet likes to invent, however, Klaus loves to read and consume knowledge. Before the tragic fire… read analysis of Klaus

Sunny

The youngest Baudelaire child, Sunny is best known for her love of biting. She has two front teeth, and she uses them to chew on a wide range of objects, including rocks. As an infant… read analysis of Sunny

Count Olaf

Count Olaf is the antagonist of The Bad Beginning. After Violet, Klaus, and Sunny’s parents die, Count Olaf assumes legal guardianship of them, as he’s their closest living relative. Count Olaf… read analysis of Count Olaf

Justice Strauss

Justice Strauss is Count Olaf’s next-door neighbor and a justice on the High Court. Her house is the prettiest on the street, with an impressive garden and a large private library. When Violet… read analysis of Justice Strauss

Lemony Snicket

Lemony Snicket is the narrator of The Bad Beginning. Though he does not actively participate in the plot of the story, he is a fictional character and exists in the same fictional world as… read analysis of Lemony Snicket

Mr. Poe

Mr. Poe is the Baudelaire family’s banker and executer of their will. As such, Mr. Poe is the person responsible for finding a suitable guardian for Violet, Klaus, and Sunny. After their… read analysis of Mr. Poe

The Hook-Handed Man

The hook-handed man is one of Count Olaf’s troupe members and primary co-conspirators. He is notable for the two hooks he has in place of hands and for his role in capturing Violet during… read analysis of The Hook-Handed Man

Minor Characters

Mrs. Poe

Mrs. Poe is Mr. Poe’s wife. She hosts Violet, Klaus, and Sunny for a few days after their parents’ death, buying them cheap, ugly clothes and cooking them boiled chicken, potatoes, and blanched string beans.

Albert

Albert is one of Mr. Poe’s two sons, with whom the Baudelaire children share a room. Like his brother, Edgar, Albert is rude and unsympathetic to Violet, Klaus, and Sunny.

Edgar

Edgar is one of Mr. Poe’s two sons, with whom the Baudelaire children share a room. Like his brother, Albert, Edgar is rude and unsympathetic to Violet, Klaus, and Sunny.

The Bald Man

The bald man is a member of Count Olaf’s acting troupe and one of his primary henchmen. During the performance of The Marvelous Marriage, he watches Klaus, making sure that he does not try anything that might foil Count Olaf’s plan.

The Bad Beginning Characters