From Hope to Despair and Back

The Man Who Laughs

Repeated rescues and reversals test Gwynplaine’s belief that survival can become lasting happiness.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The First Rescue The First Rescue from "The Man Who Laughs". The First Rescue Survival against the elements Gwynplaine climbs from the shore and crosses Portland in darkness. Cold and hunger threaten him at every step.

The First Rescue from "The Man Who Laughs". The First Rescue Survival against the elements Gwynplaine climbs from the shore and crosses Portland in darkness. Cold and hunger threaten him at every step.

The First Rescue Survival against the elements Gwynplaine climbs from the shore and crosses Portland in darkness. Cold and hunger threaten him at every step. He survives without knowing what awaits him. Hope redirected A baby’s cry draws him to Dea. He gives up his coat to keep her alive. His first act of hope is directed toward someone else.

Shelter in the Caravan Shelter in the Caravan from "The Man Who Laughs". Shelter in the Caravan A fragile refuge found Ursus welcomes both children into the van. Food and warmth replace the immediate threat of the storm.

Shelter in the Caravan from "The Man Who Laughs". Shelter in the Caravan A fragile refuge found Ursus welcomes both children into the van. Food and warmth replace the immediate threat of the storm.

Shelter in the Caravan A fragile refuge found Ursus welcomes both children into the van. Food and warmth replace the immediate threat of the storm. The children’s survival becomes the beginning of an adopted family. Happiness within poverty The caravan offers no security beyond the care of its occupants. Gwynplaine and Dea nevertheless grow into mutual love. Their refuge demonstrates that modest affection can outweigh wealth.

A Sudden Apotheosis A Sudden Apotheosis from "The Man Who Laughs". A Sudden Apotheosis Prison becomes palace Gwynplaine expects punishment but is declared an heir. The court replaces confinement with wealth and status.

A Sudden Apotheosis from "The Man Who Laughs". A Sudden Apotheosis Prison becomes palace Gwynplaine expects punishment but is declared an heir. The court replaces confinement with wealth and status.

A Sudden Apotheosis Prison becomes palace Gwynplaine expects punishment but is declared an heir. The court replaces confinement with wealth and status. The sharp reversal leaves him unable to understand his own position. The cost hidden inside fortune Barkilphedro presents the elevation as good news. Gwynplaine does not yet see how it will separate him from his family. The new hope carries the structure of a trap.

A False Triumph A False Triumph from "The Man Who Laughs". A False Triumph The reformer speaks Gwynplaine uses his rank to condemn poverty and privilege. He believes the lords may hear the evidence of suffering.

A False Triumph from "The Man Who Laughs". A False Triumph The reformer speaks Gwynplaine uses his rank to condemn poverty and privilege. He believes the lords may hear the evidence of suffering.

A False Triumph The reformer speaks Gwynplaine uses his rank to condemn poverty and privilege. He believes the lords may hear the evidence of suffering. His speech appears to convert elevation into purpose. The crowd answers with laughter The peers ridicule him until his speech collapses. His face turns the moment into a public humiliation. The apparent triumph becomes an irreversible loss of belonging.

Joy Before the Ending Joy Before the Ending from "The Man Who Laughs". Joy Before the Ending A return to love Homo guides Gwynplaine to Ursus and Dea. Gwynplaine and Dea reunite in the ship’s lantern light.

Joy Before the Ending from "The Man Who Laughs". Joy Before the Ending A return to love Homo guides Gwynplaine to Ursus and Dea. Gwynplaine and Dea reunite in the ship’s lantern light.

Joy Before the Ending A return to love Homo guides Gwynplaine to Ursus and Dea. Gwynplaine and Dea reunite in the ship’s lantern light. For a short time, survival seems to have defeated every separation. The final reversal Dea dies from her frailty after the shock of reunion. Gwynplaine enters the water after her. Hope returns only long enough to make the ending more painful.

During the Portland snowstorm, January 1690

Before dawn on January 30, 1690

During Gwynplaine’s recognition in Southwark Jail

During the House of Lords debate in 1705

During the Vograat’s final passage down the Thames