Greed, contrary to what some people might say, is not good—and it's especially not good when you're faced with a selfish, bad-tempered villain. In The Bad Beginning, Count Olaf will stop at nothing to get his hands on the Baudelaire fortune. He's even willing to adopt orphans, murder a baby, and forcibly marry a young girl to have his way. But Count Olaf isn't the only one who lets money cloud his judgment. Mr. Poe can't seem to think about anything except keeping the Baudelaire fortune safe, though he's supposed to watch out for the kids, too.
Questions About Greed
- Why do you think Count Olaf's theater troupe helps him get this money? Do they think they'll get a cut? Are they motived for different reasons? Examine the text to formulate your answer.
- Compare and contrast Count Olaf and Mr. Poe. Who's more obsessed with money?
- Why do you think Count Olaf is so focused on getting the Baudelaire fortune in particular? Aren't there other ways he can put his villainy to use to steal from other people?
Chew on This
The people who might benefit from the Baudelaire fortune—a.k.a. the Baudelaires—don't seem to care much about it. They have their priorities in order, and the only thing they're hoping for is a bit of safety and happiness. Oh, and maybe their own beds, too.
Count Olaf's pursuit of the Baudelaire fortune is nothing more than an elaborate MacGuffin. He could be after just about anything else and it wouldn't much matter.