The Fate of the Green Box

The Man Who Laughs

The Green Box’s success, persecution, and disappearance measure how easily a poor community can be erased by law and fashion.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Stage on Wheels A Stage on Wheels from "The Man Who Laughs". A Stage on Wheels An improvised theatre Ursus turns the travelling van into a stage and household.

A Stage on Wheels from "The Man Who Laughs". A Stage on Wheels An improvised theatre Ursus turns the travelling van into a stage and household.

A Stage on Wheels An improvised theatre Ursus turns the travelling van into a stage and household. The group combines performance, music, medicine, and comic spectacle. The Green Box makes the family’s work visible to the public. A livelihood assembled Gwynplaine’s face attracts audiences and generates income. Dea sings, while Fibi and Vinos help the performances. The troupe’s independence remains dependent on public attention.

Southwark’s New Attraction Southwark’s New Attraction from "The Man Who Laughs". Southwark’s New Attraction Success gathers a crowd The Green Box draws spectators away from nearby performers.

Southwark’s New Attraction from "The Man Who Laughs". Southwark’s New Attraction Success gathers a crowd The Green Box draws spectators away from nearby performers.

Southwark’s New Attraction Success gathers a crowd The Green Box draws spectators away from nearby performers. Ursus’s plays and Gwynplaine’s act become a local sensation. A previously poor troupe gains money and recognition. Success creates enemies Rival entertainers and clergy complain about the show. Homo’s presence gives authorities an additional legal pretext. The troupe’s popularity increases its visibility and danger.

Complaints and Cabals Complaints and Cabals from "The Man Who Laughs". Complaints and Cabals Rivals seek suppression Mountebanks resent losing their audiences and income.

Complaints and Cabals from "The Man Who Laughs". Complaints and Cabals Rivals seek suppression Mountebanks resent losing their audiences and income.

Complaints and Cabals Rivals seek suppression Mountebanks resent losing their audiences and income. Clergy claim that the performances undermine religious observance. The campaign gathers economic and moral objections together. A weak protection Local inaction allows the Green Box to continue for a time. Ursus remains alert to police and magistrates. The troupe survives by remaining small, mobile, and publicly useful.

The Wapentake Arrives The Wapentake Arrives from "The Man Who Laughs". The Wapentake Arrives A family interrupted A law officer removes Gwynplaine during breakfast. Ursus cannot learn where he is being taken.

The Wapentake Arrives from "The Man Who Laughs". The Wapentake Arrives A family interrupted A law officer removes Gwynplaine during breakfast. Ursus cannot learn where he is being taken.

The Wapentake Arrives A family interrupted A law officer removes Gwynplaine during breakfast. Ursus cannot learn where he is being taken. The arrest makes the troupe’s insecure status immediately visible. The show stops The performance is cancelled as the household waits. Ursus tries to deceive Dea by imitating Gwynplaine. The Green Box’s public identity collapses into private fear.

The Fairground Emptied The Fairground Emptied from "The Man Who Laughs". The Fairground Emptied State action completes the removal The authorities order the troupe and other entertainers out of England.

The Fairground Emptied from "The Man Who Laughs". The Fairground Emptied State action completes the removal The authorities order the troupe and other entertainers out of England.

The Fairground Emptied State action completes the removal The authorities order the troupe and other entertainers out of England. Tarrinzeau Field is cleared and the Green Box is taken away. The family’s home disappears while its members are separated. A vanished world Gwynplaine finds no familiar faces or lights at the inn. The fairground’s emptiness makes his social fall concrete. A place of performance becomes a landscape of loss.

After Gwynplaine begins performing as a young man

During the troupe’s arrival at Tarrinzeau Field

After the Green Box becomes popular in Southwark

On the morning of Gwynplaine’s arrest

By the night Gwynplaine returns from Parliament