novel to analyze the characteristics of Count Olaf. The theory of character by M. J. Murphy in his book Understanding Unseen: An Introduction to English Poetry
and the English Novel for Overseas Students 1972, 161 - 173 also used based on personal description, character as seen by another, speech, reaction, direct
comment and mannerism. In the novel, Count Olaf is described as a “very tall and very thin, dressed
in gray suit that had many dark stains on it” p. 22. From the description in the novel, Count Olaf looks slipshod because his appearance that so dirty with many
dark stains in his suit. His appearance also looks slobbery, “his face was unshaven, and rather than two eyebrows, like most human being have, he had just
one long one” p.22. Count Olaf’s appearance is not fresh because he does not shave his beard. His appearance shows that he cannot be responsible and take care
of himself. Count Olaf’s appearance supports his description in the novel that he is bad-
tempered. “His eyes were very, very shiny, which made him look both hungry and angry” p.22. Count Olaf’s bright eyes make him looks angry.
Someone who has an irritable and unpleasant disposition is a bad-tempered. Count Olaf physical appearance shows that he is has less personality. Count Olaf
is described as bad-tempered, demanding, and rude. These points will be elaborated as follows.
1. Bad-Tempered
In the novel, Count Olaf is described as a bad-tempered person. This statement is strengthened with his gesture.
Mr. Poe’s eyes widened in surprise, and his coughs echoed in the dark room before he spoke. “The Baudelaire fortune,” he said sternly, “will not
be used for such matter. In fact, it will not be used at all, until Violet is of age.” Count Olaf turned to Mr. Poe with a glint in his eye like an angry
dog p. 23
In the preceding quotation, Count Olaf is angry because he cannot use the Baudelaire’s fortune to fulfill his needs. In the dialogue, Count Olaf wants the
Baudelaire fortune can solve his problem with the households, but when Mr. Poe said that the fortune cannot be used at all, it makes Count Olaf angry. The writer
applies the theory from Murphy, reaction and mannerism, since Count Olaf is angry because of his reaction to Mr. Poe statement which Baudelaire’s fortune
will not be used at all and the changing of his manner when he glints to Mr. Poe like an angry dog. His bad-tempered is shown in the statement below.
Count Olaf was neither interesting nor kind; he was demanding, short tempered, and bad smelling p. 29.
His personal description shows that Count Olaf is bad-tempered. He is described not only bad-tempered, but also demanding. Baudelaire children think
that Count Olaf is not a good person. From the very first meeting with Count Olaf, the children have a bad feeling about Count Ola
f. Count Olaf’s appearance and look show that he is not a good person. The theory by Murphy, direct
comment, shows his characteristics that Count Olaf is bad-tempered. “What?” Count Olaf asked. “No roast beef?” “You didn’t tell us you
wanted roast beef, ” Klaus said. Count Olaf slid toward the children so that
he looked even taller than he was. His eyes grew even brighter, and his one eyebrow raised in anger p. 46.
From the preceding quotation, Count Olaf is temperamental. His reaction to Klaus shows that he is bad-tempered. His unfulfilled desire towards the
Baudelaire children in making roast beef makes him angry. His manner identifies the changing of his temper. The writer applies the point of mannerism by Murphy
to identify his characteristics. “Build the set? Heavens, no,” Count Olaf said. “A pretty girl like you
shouldn’t be working backstage.” “But I’d like to,” Violet said. Count Olaf one eyebrow raised slightly, and the Baudelaire orphans recognized
this sign of his anger p. 76.
In the preceding quotation, Count Olaf invites Violet, Klaus and Sunny in his play performance; he actually has a secret purpose, which is stealing
Baudelaire’s fortune. In the preceding quotation, the Baudelaire children do not know why Count Olaf invites them to his play performance. Violet refuses to join
in his play performance because she does not want to ruin Count Olaf’s play. Count Olaf almost grows in anger again because Violet refuses him. The writer
uses the point of mannerism by Murphy to identify his characteristics. Count Olaf becomes angry because someone tries to reject his will or his
expectation is different. It makes him a bad-tempered. This quotation shows that he is bad-tempered.
“It’s the end of Act Two Why aren’t the orphans in their costumes?” he hissed to the two white-faced women. Then, as the audience broke into
applause, his angry expression turned to one of joy, and he walked back onstage p. 135.
Count Olaf is angry because the Baudelaire children have not dress yet when the play performance is in progress. He is angry because something does
not work properly. The white-faced women actually take care of the children, but they do not. They make Count Olaf angry. His speech and act to the two white-
faced women show that he is bad-tempered. The point of speech by Murphy and the point of act by Abrams are used to analyze his characteristics.
He waved and blew kissed to the audience as the curtain came down again, an then his face once again filled with anger p. 135.
Count Olaf is a good actor but he can not hold his temper. His anger comes out anytime even in his play. In his play performance, Count Olaf is trying
to act as well as the character in the script by Al-Funcoot, but in reality; he can not because his anger is always dominate. His reaction and act show that he is
bad-tempered. The theory by Murphy and Abrams is used to analyze his characteristics.
“I did not sign the document in my own hand, as the law states,” Violet said. “What do you mean? We all saw you” Count Olaf’s eyebrow was
beginning to rise in anger p. 150.
Count Olaf is angry when he knows that Violet has defeated his plan again. His gesture in raising his eyebrow is a sign of anger. Somebody who is in
angry, they usually change their face expression. When Count Olaf is angry, he raises the eyebrow. The point of mannerism by Murphy is used to show that
Count Olaf is bad-tempered.
2. Demanding
