The Bad Beginning: Chapter 10 Summary & Analysis

Like Klaus the night before, Violet stays up the whole night working. Earlier that day, she brought Sunny’s curtain sheets to the tower to make her more comfortable, but the troupe member standing guard had refused to let her in. Violet was hoping to hold and reassure Sunny—and to case the joint—and she’s unhappy that she was unable to. Now Violet works on her invention, using the few materials she has to make a “rescuing device.” She makes it from a curtain rod, a wire from a painting, and the clothes Mrs. Poe bought them, the latter being tied together using a type of knot called the “Devils’ Tongue.” As she works, she remembers her promise to her parents to protect her younger siblings.

Violet finishes her creation, which turns out to be a grappling hook. Her plan is to climb to the tower from the outside and rescue Sunny. Violet knows it is a risky plan, but it was the only invention she could think of with such limited time and materials. While she works, she remembers how she promised her parents she would watch over her siblings. Once outside, Violet realizes how difficult her plan really is, but she tries anyway. She throws the hook several times, but it never catches, and it makes a loud sound each time. Violet is nervous that the noise will wake Count Olaf, and she almost gives up, but then thinks of Sunny. She gives the hook one more throw, and it catches.

Violet closes her eyes and begins to climb the tower, motivating herself by thinking of Sunny and her promise to her parents. As she climbs higher, Violet becomes scared the rope will break, but thankfully, it never does. Finally, Violet arrives at the top and sees Sunny. Sunny is trying to say something, but her mouth is taped shut. Then Violet sees with horror that her grappling hook is stuck to another hook – the hook-hand of one of Count Olaf’s troupe members, the hook-handed man. He reaches toward Violet with his other hook.