Ambiguity

The main theme of the novel is that of ambiguity. From the beginning, the Baudelaires and often the reader, have no idea what is happening around them. Everyone wears disguises, it is unknown who can be trusted and who cannot, everyone lies, and it is unclear whom the Baudelaires are working with, and whom they are working against. The Baudelaires' very employment at the Hotel starts with an ambiguous letter signed only the initials "J.S." These initials could belong to anyone: Justice Strauss, Jerome Squalor, Jacques Snicket, or possibly even someone else, still unknown to the reader. All of the characters are chasing the elusive sugarbowl (which remains undescribed and misunderstood until the end of the series). The Baudelaires work under the Hotel managers, although they never know which manager they are actually working with at any given moment (Ernest, Dewey, or Frank). And on top of...