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AggravatingStudy2084 OP t1_j91ckly wrote

Reply to comment by kaysn in My thoughts on “A Series of Unfortunate Events.” by AggravatingStudy2084

You know … I think you have a point that clicked when I read your word “abuse.” (Brace yourself, I’m about to get dark.)

Think about the Catholic Church abuse cases. Systematic, epidemic child abuse. A phenomenon that would have sounded like unhinged, hard-boiled paranoia if not for the fact that it actually happened. And not only did it actually happen, it went on for years with the same perpetrators because at every opportunity to stop priests that they knew were molesting kids, the Catholic Church either

  1. ignored the claims in spite of overwhelming evidence or

  2. did worse than nothing by merely moving the offending priests around after no or effectively no punishment.

So there really are Mr Poes in the world — not actively evil like the Count Olafs, but permissively evil by failing to stop them

My points still stand, but I’ll grant that I now see Mr Poe’s character in a slightly less critical light.

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Causerae t1_j92tziz wrote

"Adults are very stupid" - an adult

Seriously, any contested custody case proves the books are quite realistic. Yes, I couldn't finish them, either. Sure, they felt unrealistic.

Are they unrealistic? Maybe, but not in portraying adults as stupid and obtuse, utterly blind to abuse and malevolence. That part was entirely accurate.

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AggravatingStudy2084 OP t1_j92w23g wrote

First of all, I’m 7. (Just kidding, I’m 69.)

It’s curious that you chose this particular comment to reply to when it seems to grant a lot of your point. I’m also confused as to whether you agree that adults are stupid or are citing me critically. Or, idk … maybe both?

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Causerae t1_j96relf wrote

My point was that the books do indeed portray abuse and neglect, portray children being chronically unheard and mistreated and mistrusted, they are indeed dark. I think the darkness is prob very clear to the children who made the series so popular. Not every kid can put into words the experience of being cast out and hurt, but the books portray it as a norm and thus are super validating.

Plus, I am am adult and I say adults are stupid. I mean, we are really stupid. Right?!

If I were getting into a serious, dark discussion, I'd also mention that what is portrayed as adult stupidity is often actually systemic violence, unhealthy social hierarchies (like churches) and well meaning adults who are thwarted when they try to help vs adults, are merely stupid.

From a child's perspective, yes, I think "stupid" suffices as a good enough description. As an adult, I can see a larger system. Individual adults may not be responsible for their own powerlessness and inaction (they tried, after all), but the children are still harmed. No one does well in the books, and that's a pretty fair depiction of life as I know it. Adults are stupid, but it's not really their fault. Not an uplifting thought, but that's why I stopped reading the books. They're bleak.

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ImprobableGerund t1_j93i471 wrote

It gets crazier if you keep reading the series. Olaf starts to make more sense and your start to empathize with him and the kids start making questionable choices and start seeming to be more like the bad guys. There is evil, there are people that make no sense, and everyone thinks their bad choices are justified. It is unfortunate, but sometimes so is life.

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