How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
Klaus ignored the insult and opened the book to where one of the scraps of paper was marking his place. "The laws of marriage in this community are very simple," he read out loud. "The requirements are as follows: the presence of a judge, a statement of 'I do' by both the bride and the groom, and the signing of an explanatory document in the bride's own hand." Klaus put down the book and pointed at Count Olaf. "If my sister says 'I do' and signs a piece of paper, while Justice Strauss is in the room, then she is legally married. This play you're putting on shouldn't be called The Marvelous Marriage. It should be called The Menacing Marriage. You're not going to marry Violet figuratively—you're going to marry her literally! This play won't be pretend; it will be real and legally binding." (8.13)
Ah, now Count Olaf will use the law to get what he wants. It strikes us as a bit odd that this is all it takes to get married. Shouldn't Violet's willingness to participate count for something, too?
Quote #5
"So do you," Klaus said. "What's that book?"
"Why, those are my lines," Justice Strauss said. "Count Olaf told me to bring a law book and read the real wedding ceremony, in order to make the play as realistic as possible. All you have to say, Violet, is 'I do,' but I have to make quite a speech. This is going to be such fun."
"You know what would be fun," Violet said carefully, "is if you changed your lines around, just a little."
Klaus's face lit up. "Yes, Justice Strauss. Be creative. There's no reason to stick to the legal ceremony. It's not as if it's a real wedding."
Justice Strauss frowned. "I don't know about that, children," she said. "I think it would be best to follow Count Olaf's instructions. After all, he's in charge." (12.5-9)
Justice Strauss may be a nice lady, but no one is going to keep her from following Count Olaf's orders. Will any adult bend the rules to help the Baudelaires?
Quote #6
"That can't be!" said a voice from the audience, and Klaus recognized it as the voice of Mr. Poe. He ran up the stairs to the stage and took the document from Justice Strauss. "This is dreadful nonsense."
"I'm afraid this dreadful nonsense is the law," Justice Strauss said. (13.9-10)
We're afraid it is, too. How could Violet actually be Count Olaf's wife? She married him under duress, after all. Are all the adults going to just follow the law and let Count Olaf get away with this villainy?