Among the many characters in Lemony Snicket’sA Series of Unfortunate Events, Jerome Squalor and Charles are two figures who, while not prominently linked in canon, have sparked a quiet but growing interest among fans. Both are adults entangled in the lives of the Baudelaire orphans and are known for their passive personalities, unassertive behavior, and odd yet sympathetic qualities. The concept of Jerome Squalor x Charles arises from fan interpretations, particularly in the world of fan fiction and character analysis, where readers often explore the idea of unexpected emotional connections between lesser-known characters. While their canonical interactions are nonexistent, the pairing offers a lens through which to reimagine their narratives, personalities, and the emotional gaps left in their original arcs.
Who Is Jerome Squalor?
Jerome Squalor appears in The Ersatz Elevator, the sixth book in the series. He is the guardian of the Baudelaire orphans during their stay at 66-floor tall 667 Dark Avenue. Jerome is married to Esmé Squalor, a woman obsessed with what’s ‘in’ and ‘out’ according to trends. His personality contrasts with Esmé’s obsession with style he is passive, avoids confrontation, and chooses comfort over justice or responsibility.
Though he expresses vague disapproval of Count Olaf’s schemes, Jerome ultimately chooses to do nothing about them. His favorite activity is attending in-vogue restaurants, and he detests conflict so much that he refuses to help the Baudelaires even when they are in danger. Still, his behavior may stem more from emotional avoidance and fear than outright selfishness, making him a complex if frustrating character.
Character Traits of Jerome
- Conflict-avoidant
- Passive and agreeable to a fault
- Detached from responsibility
- Possibly lonely and emotionally repressed
Who Is Charles?
Charles is introduced in The Miserable Mill as the partner (in business and potentially in life) of Sir, the owner of the Lucky Smells Lumbermill. While Sir dominates their dynamic, Charles is the softer and more sympathetic of the two. He is kind to the Baudelaire children, tries to help in small ways, and shows discomfort with Sir’s exploitation of child labor and poor working conditions.
However, much like Jerome, Charles rarely acts decisively. He represents the kind of adult in the series who means well but fails to take effective action when it’s most needed. His quiet voice and hesitant demeanor contrast sharply with Sir’s gruff, controlling attitude. Charles’s emotional depth is never fully explored, but fans have picked up on his subtle indications of kindness and unspoken sadness.
Character Traits of Charles
- Gentle and empathetic
- Submissive to authority
- Passively supportive
- Has a nurturing side
Why Jerome x Charles?
On the surface, Jerome and Charles appear to be unrelated characters. They come from different books in the series and never interact. Yet fans have connected them based on personality parallels, thematic alignment, and shared weaknesses. Both are portrayed as quiet, gentle men who find themselves dominated by stronger, more aggressive partners Esmé and Sir, respectively.
Their inability to take action, despite wanting to do good, paints them as emotionally passive adults in a world where the children must act in their own defense. However, the idea of pairing Jerome and Charles together allows fans to imagine a dynamic where each finds someone who understands their vulnerabilities. Instead of being dominated, they could support each other in a quieter, more emotionally equal relationship.
Emotional Compatibility
- Shared Experience: Both have experience being overshadowed by louder, more demanding figures.
- Emotional Intelligence: Charles’s kindness could help Jerome open up emotionally, while Jerome’s desire for peace could create stability for Charles.
- Growth Potential: In fan interpretations, being with someone who understands their struggles could encourage both characters to become more confident and active in their values.
Exploring the Relationship in Fan Works
The Jerome x Charles pairing is not widely represented in mainstream fan fiction, but it exists as a niche ship that offers deeper psychological exploration. In these stories, fans often reimagine the characters meeting after the events of the books or create alternate universes where their paths cross earlier. The tone of these fics is often quiet, introspective, and emotionally driven.
Writers explore how they might find solace in one another after leaving toxic environments. Themes of healing, understanding, and emotional rediscovery are common. These fan works give both characters a second chance something rarely afforded to adults in theSeries of Unfortunate Eventsuniverse.
Popular Fan Fiction Themes
- Post-series redemption: After escaping Esmé and Sir, the two meet in a small town, trying to rebuild their lives.
- Quiet romance: Focused on tea, books, and long conversations, fan stories often show a slow-burning, gentle relationship.
- Emotional healing: They help each other confront the guilt of inaction and strive to become the adults they once failed to be.
Thematic Significance
The Jerome x Charles pairing highlights the recurring theme inA Series of Unfortunate Eventsof flawed adults and the consequences of inaction. By imagining these characters finding love and strength in each other, fans are engaging in a form of narrative reclamation. It reflects a hope that even the most passive characters can grow and change when placed in supportive environments.
This ship also subtly critiques the binary portrayal of adults as either cruel or useless. Jerome and Charles represent the middle ground: people with good intentions who simply lack the strength to act. In pairing them, fans imagine what growth could look like if those people had someone who truly listened.
A Queer Reading
There is also room for a queer interpretation of this ship. Neither Jerome nor Charles is explicitly defined in terms of romantic or sexual orientation, allowing room for imaginative readings. Both are seen in relationships that are emotionally disconnected or ambiguous, prompting speculation about their true identities and desires.
Queer coding in children’s literature often manifests through subtle gestures or unspoken connections. By reimagining Jerome and Charles as a couple, fans explore underrepresented queer narratives that emphasize emotional intimacy and personal growth over dramatic romance tropes.
Quiet Strength in Unlikely Places
While Jerome Squalor x Charles is not a canon couple, the idea holds value for fans who find meaning in overlooked characters. Their pairing provides a compelling lens through which to examine emotional repression, toxic partnerships, and the possibility of healing through quiet companionship. In a series filled with dramatic villains and heroic children, the understated journeys of Jerome and Charles offer a softer, more introspective narrative one where growth is gradual, and understanding begins not with grand gestures, but with a shared cup of tea and a willingness to listen.