Laughter in the Dark - Vladimir Nabokov

Summary

"Laughter in the Dark" tells the story of Albert Albinus, a successful but somewhat naïve middle-aged art critic living in Berlin. He becomes infatuated with Margot Peters, a manipulative and opportunistic young aspiring actress. Albinus abandons his loyal wife, Elizabeth, and his young daughter, Irma, to pursue a lavish life with Margot. Unknown to him, Margot is secretly in league with her former lover, Robert Gorn, a cynical artist and filmmaker. Gorn and Margot conspire to exploit Albinus financially and emotionally. Albinus's increasing blindness to Margot's true nature becomes literal when he suffers a car accident that renders him physically blind. Margot and Gorn then move into Albinus's home, tormenting him by openly continuing their affair and mocking him, confident in his inability to see. Through overheard sounds and subtle clues, Albinus eventually realizes their cruel betrayal. The story culminates in a tragic confrontation where Albinus's attempt at revenge leads to his own violent death.

Book Sections

Section 1

The novel introduces Albert Albinus, a respected and prosperous art critic in Berlin, leading a comfortable but somewhat predictable life with his wife, Elizabeth, and their young daughter, Irma. One day, while visiting a cinema, he encounters Margot Peters, a seventeen-year-old aspiring actress and model, working as an usherette. Margot is beautiful, captivating, and exudes a seductive innocence that immediately enthralls Albinus. He becomes completely infatuated, his respectable life quickly overshadowed by his obsession with her. He is drawn to her perceived charm and vulnerability, completely oblivious to her calculating nature.

Character	Characteristics	Motivations
Albert Albinus	Middle-aged, successful art critic, wealthy, respectable, naïve, infatuated, somewhat sentimental.	Seeking excitement, passion, and escape from his mundane life; blinded by lust and romantic idealization of Margot.
Margot Peters	Seventeen-year-old, aspiring actress/model, beautiful, seductive, opportunistic, manipulative, cold, cunning.	Seeking financial gain, social advancement, and a luxurious lifestyle without working for it.
Elizabeth Albinus	Albert's wife, dignified, loyal, emotionally reserved, devoted mother.	Maintaining her family and her social standing; loving her husband despite his emotional distance.
Irma Albinus	Albert and Elizabeth's young daughter, innocent, minor character.	Living a normal childhood.

Section 2

Albinus's infatuation with Margot intensifies, consuming his thoughts and actions. He begins to neglect his family, constantly finding excuses to meet Margot. He envisions a romantic future with her, projecting his desires onto her blank canvas. Margot, in turn, skillfully plays the role of the innocent, vulnerable girl, feeding his ego and deepening his delusion. She hints at a troubled past and a desire for stability, which further motivates Albinus to rescue her. His obsession reaches a point of no return when he decides to leave Elizabeth and Irma to move in with Margot. He rents a lavish apartment for them, showering her with expensive gifts and promising her a glittering career in film. During this time, Margot secretly reconnects with her former lover, Robert Gorn.

Character	Characteristics	Motivations
Robert Gorn	Margot's former lover, artist, cynical, unscrupulous, opportunistic, cunning, malicious, parasitic.	Seeking financial gain and amusement through manipulation; enjoys exerting power over others; using Margot as an accomplice.

Section 3

Albinus and Margot embark on their new life together, funded entirely by Albinus's wealth. He is utterly smitten, believing he has found true love and happiness. However, Margot's true colors slowly begin to show, though Albinus remains willfully blind. She is capricious, demanding, and increasingly bored by Albinus's devotion. Robert Gorn, now firmly back in Margot's life, begins to execute their plan. He poses as a film producer and director, convincing Albinus that Margot has great potential for the screen. Albinus eagerly invests his money in Gorn's supposed film projects, believing he is supporting Margot's career. In reality, Gorn is merely staging elaborate charades to siphon Albinus's money. Margot and Gorn's secret affair continues, often happening right under Albinus's nose, with Gorn frequently present in their apartment, charming Albinus while secretly mocking him.

Section 4

The trio, Albinus, Margot, and Gorn, decide to take a road trip to the south of France, ostensibly for a film project. During the journey, Albinus and Margot are alone in the car, with Gorn following in a separate vehicle. Albinus, distracted and perhaps emotionally distraught from an earlier argument or a hint of Margot's indifference, loses control of the car. The accident is severe, and Albinus sustains a critical injury to his head, resulting in complete and irreversible blindness. This event marks a turning point, transforming Albinus from a merely emotionally blind man into one literally deprived of sight. Margot, initially shocked, quickly adapts to the new circumstances, seeing it as an opportunity to further exploit Albinus.

Section 5

Following the accident, Albinus, now blind, is utterly dependent on Margot and Gorn. They move back to a country house Albinus owns, where they can continue their cruel charade without fear of being discovered by his sight. Margot and Gorn openly resume their affair, often in the same room as the blind Albinus, confident that his lack of vision renders him oblivious. They mock him, share private jokes, and treat him with utter contempt, sometimes even using his blindness as a tool for their amusement. Albinus, though physically blind, slowly begins to perceive the truth through his other senses. He hears their whispers, their laughter, their physical proximity, and detects subtle shifts in their voices and behavior. The sounds of their cruel intimacy, the scent of their combined perfumes, and the chilling silence that follows his entrance into a room gradually paint a clear picture of their betrayal in his mind. He becomes increasingly agitated and suspicious, his internal torment growing unbearable.

Section 6

Driven by his agonizing realization, Albinus procures a small pistol, intending to confront or harm Margot. The tension in the house reaches a breaking point. In a final, desperate confrontation, Albinus pursues Margot through the house. Margot, terrified by his blind, stumbling pursuit and the gun he wields, tries to escape. During the chase, Albinus trips and falls, dropping the pistol. Margot seizes the opportunity, picks up the gun, and shoots him, killing him. The novel ends with the complete tragic downfall of Albinus, a victim of his own infatuation and the ruthless manipulation of Margot and Gorn.

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Literary Genre: Psychological novel, black comedy, tragedy, satire, fatalistic romance.

Author Facts:

• Vladimir Vladimirovich Nabokov (1899-1977) was a Russian-American novelist, poet, translator, and entomologist.
• He was a master of prose, renowned for his complex plots, elaborate wordplay, and experimental narrative techniques.
• He was fluent in Russian, English, and French, and wrote many of his early works in Russian before translating them into English, and later writing directly in English.
• His most famous novel is "Lolita" (1955), which caused a sensation for its controversial subject matter.
• Nabokov was also a distinguished lepidopterist (a specialist in butterflies and moths), discovering several species. He spent many years studying and collecting butterflies.
• He taught Russian literature at Wellesley College and Cornell University.
• He possessed synesthesia, a neurological phenomenon where stimulation of one sensory or cognitive pathway leads to automatic, involuntary experiences in a second sensory or cognitive pathway (e.g., seeing colors in letters or numbers).

Morale:
The primary morale of "Laughter in the Dark" is a stark warning about the destructive power of obsessive infatuation and the perils of emotional blindness. It illustrates how unchecked desire and an idealized view of another person can lead to utter ruin. The story also explores the banality of evil and the ease with which one can be manipulated and exploited when blinded by passion, ultimately highlighting the tragic consequences of abandoning moral obligations and common sense. It's a cynical look at human folly, where the victim's own weaknesses lead him to his doom.

Curiosities:

• Two Versions: "Laughter in the Dark" was originally written in Russian and published in 1932 under the title "Camera Obscura." Nabokov himself later translated and substantially revised it into English, publishing it as "Laughter in the Dark" in 1938. The English version features significant changes, including character names, additional details, and a different, arguably darker ending compared to the Russian original.
• Precursor to "Lolita": Although distinct, "Laughter in the Dark" can be seen as a thematic precursor to Nabokov's later, more famous novel, "Lolita." Both novels explore the dangerous obsession of an older man with a young, manipulative female figure, examining themes of lust, delusion, and the destructive nature of infatuation, albeit with different narrative perspectives and moral complexities.
• Film Noir Elements: The novel's plot, with its elements of betrayal, a manipulative femme fatale, a blind victim, and a dark, cynical tone, shares many characteristics with the film noir genre, which was emerging around the time the English version was published.
• Nabokov's View: Nabokov considered the book "a rather farcical tale," emphasizing the darkly comedic and satirical aspects of Albinus's downfall, despite the tragic outcome. He enjoyed playing with the reader's perception of reality and illusion, a recurring theme in his works.
• The Title's Irony: The title "Laughter in the Dark" perfectly encapsulates the novel's essence, referring to the cruel, mocking laughter of Margot and Gorn at Albinus's expense, especially after he becomes literally blind, symbolizing his earlier emotional and moral blindness. It highlights the dark, ironic humor at the heart of the tragedy.