The children of Charles Snicket: Delilah, Esther and Feivel
Delilah Beatrix Anwhistle, the eldest child. After her parents’ (supposed) death, she and her siblings were adopted by a terrifying woman, whom Delilah suspected of trying to poison her; D herself had a huge interest in poisons, specifically those from plants. The Botanist has a strong sense of self-preservation, and in fact consistently puts herself before anything else, including her siblings. She’s not prideful or arrogant by any means, but she’s not about to sacrifice herself for anyone else.
After escaping her guardian and being recruited by the Volunteer Fire Department, Delilah finds herself training under botany and toxicology. She also ends up marrying into the Anwhistle family. After joining VFD, though, she rarely talks to her siblings, though she’s not too concerned; she was never very close to them anyway.
Esther Maud Snicket, the middle child. Even before her orphaning, Esther was the ignored child, and a lifetime of neglect have given her high, thick walls to shield her emotions. Outwardly, she’s antisocial, sarcastic and bitter, but inwardly, she wishes she was closer with her siblings. Her parents always told her that Snickets take care of their own, but she’s never had reason to believe them.
She gets very involved with VFD, firstly because her special interest is private investigation, and the organization gives her the opportunity to become a detective. Secondly, though, she feels like the organization holds people who actually care about her... not the least of which being Jacob, who seems to be the only person who cares to listen to her.
Feivel Alan Caliban, the youngest child. He always felt separate from his sisters due to their large age gap and his tendency to go nonverbal. He tends to sit silently in the corner with his puzzle and strategy games, letting everyone else do the harder work. But while he cherishes being alone, he also wishes he could belong somewhere, with someone. But Delilah barely pays attention to him, and though Esther tries, she never seems to understand him.
VFD gives Feivel the opportunity to hide in the wings, completing increasingly complex puzzles and solving codes for their field agents. He loves his work, as it lets him do what he enjoys and gain a sense of belonging at the same time. He eventually marries into the Caliban family, and surprises even himself by being a devoted and loving father. He sometimes wishes, later in life, that he’d been able to connect with his sisters, because family is supposed to come first, but it’s a bit too late for that...
