Dea’s Life in Darkness

The Man Who Laughs

Dea’s blindness limits her physical world while enabling a spiritual intimacy that becomes the center of her life.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The Infant Survives The Infant Survives from "The Man Who Laughs". The Infant Survives A frozen beginning Dea is found alive on her dead mother’s breast. The cold nearly ends her life and leaves her blind.

The Infant Survives from "The Man Who Laughs". The Infant Survives A frozen beginning Dea is found alive on her dead mother’s breast. The cold nearly ends her life and leaves her blind.

The Infant Survives A frozen beginning Dea is found alive on her dead mother’s breast. The cold nearly ends her life and leaves her blind. Her first human bond is with the boy who carries her. Care received Gwynplaine gives her his jacket and brings her through the storm. Ursus later warms and feeds her in the van. Her survival depends on acts of care by other outcasts.

A World of Presence A World of Presence from "The Man Who Laughs". A World of Presence Learning through others Dea understands the world through touch, voice, and sound. She regards Gwynplaine as her guide and protector.

A World of Presence from "The Man Who Laughs". A World of Presence Learning through others Dea understands the world through touch, voice, and sound. She regards Gwynplaine as her guide and protector.

A World of Presence Learning through others Dea understands the world through touch, voice, and sound. She regards Gwynplaine as her guide and protector. His moral character, rather than his appearance, shapes her image of him. Blindness as insight Dea sees goodness in the person the crowd calls a monster. Her trust gives Gwynplaine a refuge from public contempt. Their dependence becomes a distinctive form of mutual recognition.

Love Without Sight Love Without Sight from "The Man Who Laughs". Love Without Sight A shared ideal Dea and Gwynplaine grow up together and fall in love. She calls him beautiful because she knows his kindness.

Love Without Sight from "The Man Who Laughs". Love Without Sight A shared ideal Dea and Gwynplaine grow up together and fall in love. She calls him beautiful because she knows his kindness.

Love Without Sight A shared ideal Dea and Gwynplaine grow up together and fall in love. She calls him beautiful because she knows his kindness. He fears that his face makes him unworthy of her affection. Innocence preserved Their intimacy remains tender and restrained. Ursus encourages their bond while protecting Dea’s health. Their private happiness stands apart from social judgement.

The World Without Gwynplaine The World Without Gwynplaine from "The Man Who Laughs". The World Without Gwynplaine Absence becomes darkness Dea senses that Gwynplaine has gone, though the others hide the facts.

The World Without Gwynplaine from "The Man Who Laughs". The World Without Gwynplaine Absence becomes darkness Dea senses that Gwynplaine has gone, though the others hide the facts.

The World Without Gwynplaine Absence becomes darkness Dea senses that Gwynplaine has gone, though the others hide the facts. Ursus stages a performance to make her believe he is present. Her emotional perception defeats his ventriloquism. A fragile body fails Dea describes absence as a darkness she had never known. Her health weakens as the troupe is forced to leave England. The bond sustaining her life has been violently interrupted.

A Final Glimpse A Final Glimpse from "The Man Who Laughs". A Final Glimpse Reunion on the ship Gwynplaine finds Dea aboard the Vograat and holds her again. Her joy briefly seems to restore her strength.

A Final Glimpse from "The Man Who Laughs". A Final Glimpse Reunion on the ship Gwynplaine finds Dea aboard the Vograat and holds her again. Her joy briefly seems to restore her strength.

A Final Glimpse Reunion on the ship Gwynplaine finds Dea aboard the Vograat and holds her again. Her joy briefly seems to restore her strength. The reunion comes after an absence she believed permanent. Sight before death Dea cries that she sees the light as she dies. Her final vision joins spiritual fulfilment with physical loss. Gwynplaine’s return cannot reverse the cost of their separation.

January 29, 1690, in the snow

During Dea’s childhood in the travelling caravan

By the time Dea is sixteen, around 1705

After Gwynplaine is taken away in 1705

During the voyage toward Rotterdam