In the story, the laws, customs, and people meant to protect orphaned children completely fail to save the Baudelaire children from their fate at the hands of their evil guardian, Count Olaf. Adults who are supposed to keep an eye on them—estate executor Mr. Poe and neighbor Justice Strauss—fail in their duties: They obey the letter of the law but not its intent, and the children must find their own way out of the abuse inflicted on them by the Count.

Though the Baudelaires are the most important witnesses to their own abuse, they’re ignored, largely because they’re children and Olaf is an adult. His position of authority is considered by law and custom to be superior to the words of children. Other adults will believe him, and not them, if there’s an issue between the two sides. Thus, when the children visit Mr. Poe and try to explain their extremely difficult home life, he treats them with impatience and says, “Whatever Count Olaf has done […] he has acted in loco parentis, and there’s nothing I can do about it” (58). Mr. Poe switches between registers in this speech from a casual

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