The Ersatz Elevator | Topics for Discussion & Projects

The Ersatz Elevator Topics for Discussion

In the beginning of the story, the author makes the distinction between being nervous and being anxious. How would you describe these emotions and how they differ?

Esme Squalor is preoccupied with things that are "in." How does this reflect her personality and more importantly, her personality flaws?

Jerome prefers not to argue with anyone. How does this keep him from being happy and why do you think he chooses this course of action?

Jerome and Esme are two very different people. Can you illustrate their differences and what makes them inappropriate guardians for the Baudelaires?

Count Olaf's biggest disguise is hiding behind a foreign fazade. Why do you think this was so effective and how does it reflect today's society?

The term red herring means two distinctly different things in this story. What is a typical "red herring" and why is it so important to the story?

The passageway...
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