Dark Laughter: Analysis of Major Characters
"Dark Laughter: Analysis of Major Characters" explores the intricate dynamics between key characters who navigate the complexities of love and societal expectations against the backdrop of modern technological society. Central to the narrative is Bruce Dudley, who embodies a rejection of the sterile rationalism of contemporary life. His journey across various cities, including Chicago and New Orleans, reflects his search for meaning beyond materialistic values. Aline Grey, the discontented wife of an automobile factory owner, finds herself drawn to Dudley, complicating her life in the small town of Old Harbor, Indiana, where her affair challenges local norms and ultimately disrupts her husband's life.
Fred Grey serves as a representation of blind loyalty to technology, struggling with his wife's infidelity and displaying a tragic inability to understand human emotions. The character of Sponge Martin offers a contrast to the primary struggles, as he cherishes simple pleasures and serves to reinforce the authenticity of Dudley and Aline's connection. Lastly, Rose Frank represents a pivotal moment in Aline's past, highlighting the theme of longing that connects significant relationships throughout the narrative. Together, these characters illuminate the tensions between personal desires and societal constraints, inviting readers to reflect on the broader implications of love and identity in a rapidly changing world.
Dark Laughter: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Sherwood Anderson
First published: 1925
Genre: Novel
Locale: Old Harbor, Indiana
Plot: Psychological realism
Time: The 1920's
Bruce Dudley, born John Stockton, who revolts against the rational sterility that characterizes modern technological society. Dudley wanders around the country taking various jobs. He travels from Chicago to New Orleans to Old Harbor, Indiana, the town where he grew up. He is a reporter, an auto worker, a gardener. His love affair with Aline Grey, as well as his flight with Aline toward an unknown destination, are for Anderson facets of the conduct to be expected of two people who love each other but who are unable to reconcile their values with a society dedicated only to material manipulation and acquisition.
Aline Grey, the unhappy wife of an automobile factory owner. She is attracted to Dudley and encourages his love, though she knows her behavior is likely to cause comment in the small Indiana town where she lives. Her affair with Dudley ruins her husband's life.
Fred Grey, practically an Anderson symbol for blind devotion to technology. Grey is incapable of dealing with any situation that depends for its resolution on a knowledge of human nature. When Dudley and Aline leave, Grey becomes completely confused. Not knowing whether to use a revolver on himself, on Dudley and Aline, or simply on Dudley, he fires a wild shot into the river. Confused, desperate, ineffectual in the knowledge of his wife's desertion, Grey is scorned by the easy laughter of some uneducated domestics, for whom his problem is childishly simple.
Sponge Martin, a worker in the Grey factory. He loves the simple things: fishing, sipping moonshine whiskey, making love to his carefree wife. Martin is used in the novel to lend authority to Dudley and Aline's love affair.
Rose Frank, an acquaintance of Aline. It was at Rose's apartment in Paris, just after World War I, that Aline met a man she wanted in much the same way she was to want Dudley years later in Old Harbor.