Character Analysis
Justice Strauss is the next-door neighbor to Count Olaf and one of the only people who treats the Baudelaires with kindness and makes life bearable for them. The children have an excellent first impression of her:
The Baudelaire children looked out and saw the prettiest house on the block. The bricks had been cleaned very well, and through the wide and open windows one could see an assortment of well-groomed plants. Standing in the doorway, with her hand on the shiny brass doorknob, was an older woman, smartly dressed, who was smiling at the children. In one hand she carried a flowerpot. (2.25)
Compare this to the first time they see Count Olaf's house. (Not sure what we're talking about? Check out his page elsewhere in this section.) This lady is obviously very good news for the Baudelaires—not only is she kind in this first meeting, but Justice Strauss comes over to visit the children and allows them to browse in her library anytime they want to. She also seems a little bit concerned about the way Count Olaf is treating them:
"You seem like very intelligent people," Justice Strauss said. "I daresay you would have thought of something. But it continues to strike me as odd that Count Olaf has asked you to prepare such an enormous meal." (4.3)
Unfortunately, while she may be leery, Justice Strauss doesn't let this stop her from performing in The Marvelous Marriage. She seems to change her opinion of Count Olaf almost as soon as he casts her in his play:
Justice Strauss's face lit up. "Oh yes," she said. "I've always wanted to perform onstage, ever since I was a little girl. And now Count Olaf has given me the opportunity to live my lifelong dream. Aren't you thrilled to be a part of the theater?" (7.11)
Since she's stage-struck, Justice Strauss isn't able to help the Baudelaires foil Count Olaf's plan. In fact, she accidentally contributes to it. However, the judge does redeem herself when she decides that Violet hasn't actually signed her name in accordance with the law. It's about time this lady caught on and helped out.
In the end, Justice Strauss even offers the children a home, but alas, it's not to be. Even though she's always nice to the Baudelaires, we can't help but think that she should have done more for them. Why did she ignore the warning signs of Count Olaf's villainy? And why didn't she simply rule that a marriage in which one of the parties has been coerced isn't legally valid? Justice Strauss might try hard, but she falls just a little bit short at times.