By: Lemony Snicket
“People aren’t either wicked or noble. They’re like chef’s salads, with good things and bad things chopped and mixed together in a vinaigrette of confusion and conflict.”
Lemony Snicket, The Grim Grotto
*This post contains spoilers for The Grim Grotto and A Series of Unfortunate Events
For a discussion on the first ten books in the series, see the linked posts bellow:
Overview:
“The Grim Grotto” is the eleventh installment in the “A Series of Unfortunate Events” book series by Lemony Snicket. The Baudelaire orphans, Violet, Klaus, and Sunny, continue to encounter misfortune as they search for answers regarding their parents’ mysterious past. In this installment, they find themselves aboard a submarine and face treacherous challenges while attempting to unravel the secrets surrounding V.F.D. and the elusive sugar bowl. As always, Count Olaf and his nefarious crew aren’t far behind and will stop at nothing from getting the Baudelaire fortune.
The literary references are abundant in this entry. The overall story is reminiscent of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, the dangerous Medusoid Mycellium comes from Greek myth and Moby Dick Easter eggs are sprinkled in.
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
This is probably the most obvious book to tell where the inspiration came from. Just looking at the cover of the siblings in diving suits immediately brings you to 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne.
The Submarine & Underwater Setting
It is easy to see the similarities in settings of the two books. In Verne’s book, most of the story takes place in the Nautilus commanded by Captain Nemo. In The Grim Grotto, it is paralleled with the Baudelaires joining the crew of the Queequeg.
How the characters find themselves on their respective submarines is similar as well. Both groups of three are shipwrecked or adrift when a submarine takes them in. Each book even has a mysterious Captain that allows them passage on their vessel.
Olaf’s Submarine
The submarine used by the nefarious villain is much like the unknown ship that sinks the Nautilus. In The Grim Grotto Olaf’s ship overtakes and “swallows” the Queequeg whereas the vessel in Verne’s work sinks them to the bottom of the sea.
Both instances leave the crew with a sense of dread and hopelessness as they feel there is no escape.
Of course, just like in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, our protagonists are able to escape their underwater fate and continue on their journey full of peril.
Moby Dick
Crew Uniforms
Captain Widdershins and his “Crew of Two” wear matching uniforms with a portrait of Herman Melville on the front. Herman Melville is of course the author of Moby Dick. The crew remarks on how they are very fond of him and Klaus agrees that he is one of his favorites.
While reading The Wide Window, many references to Moby Dick are made as well. It makes sense that Snicket would once again use these references as Captain Widdershins talks about his friendship with Josephine (one of the Baudelaires’ previous guardians). Since these stories are intertwined, it makes sense for the Captain to admire an author when Josephine’s circumstances mimic his most famous story.
Queequeg
Queequeg is the name of Captain Widdershins’ submarine. It is also the name of a character in Moby Dick. There doesn’t seem to be many other comparisons other than the name. In Moby Dick, Queequeg is a native man who is very skilled with a harpoon and becomes close with Ishmael. Here in The Grim Grotto, it is just the name of a ship. The ship is noble and hard working for the Captain but no other similarities are described.
The Captain’s Obsession
Captain Widdershins puts his mission to get the sugar bowl above all else, including the safety of small children.
“I know you must be a little nervous, but I’m sure all of you children will rise to the occasion.”
Lemony Snicket, The Grim Grotto
When the Queequeg cannot move forward into the underwater cave, the Captain has no hesitation in sending in the Baudelaires into the dark water. His single-minded goal focus leads him to prioritize this goal above the safety and well-being of others, illustrating a certain moral ambiguity shared with Captain Ahab in Moby Dick.
Both of these Captain’s obsessions ultimately lead to the downfall and the demise of his crew. Their behaviors exemplify the destructive potential of unchecked obsession in literature.
Greek Mythology
Medusa
The Gorgonian Grotto serves as a crucial setting where the Baudelaire orphans encounter various challenges. The term “Gorgonian” is derived from the Gorgon sisters in Greek mythology, notably Medusa. Just like the Gorgons, who were known for their serpent-like hair and ability to turn onlookers into stone, the grotto in the story carries an eerie and foreboding atmosphere. It reflects the dark and mysterious elements associated with Medusa, contributing to the overall grim tone of the narrative. As the orphans navigate the grotto, they confront parallels to the mythological terrors, adding depth to the storytelling and emphasizing the perilous nature of their journey.
Another connection to Medusa is the Medusoid Mycelium, the deadly fungus that the Baudelaire orphans encounter in the Gorgonian Grotto. As the orphans navigate through the dark and treacherous environments, the presence of this lethal fungus creates a constant atmosphere of peril and uncertainty, contributing to the sinister and foreboding tone of the narrative. Furthermore, the unique properties and deadly consequences of the Medusoid Mycelium propel the characters into a desperate quest for a solution, intensifying the suspense and high stakes in their efforts to combat this lethal threat.
In Greek mythology, there is no cure for Medusa’s gaze. Once someone is turned to stone they cannot revert back. Luckily, the siblings are able to find a cure for this deadly fungus and avoid a devastating fate.
Overall,
I love anything Jules Verne (we share a birthday…almost 200 years apart, but still). His work is often heavy on descriptions of the nature world while creating awe and wonder for the reader. However, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is a dense, informational book with action sprinkled in whereas The Grim Grotto utilizes the setting of Verne’s work to further the story of the Baudelaires.
I don’t think that young readers will immediately be drawn to reading either Melville or Verne in the near future, but it is a good introduction to their works and themes.
We also can’t forget the crows pleaser that is Greek Mythology. While the Medusa myth is much more mature than most children know, it is definitely one myth that most people know the basics of.
Overall, The Grim Grotto created great visual descriptions and moved the plot in the series along nicely. So many questions still need to be answered in the siblings journey but the end is near and the story is beginning to wrap up nicely.
Rating: 4/5 stars
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