Jean-Baptiste is haunted by laughter - he usually perceives it as directed at him. At one point he says, "J'ai un
beau rire franc, ma poignee de main est energique, ce sont la des atouts" (apologies for lack of accents!) - "I have a good hearty laugh, my handshake is energetic, these are trump cards." I think, then, that laughter is an indication of hypocrisy, since it can be used as a 'trump card' to convince others of one's strength, and because it is heard at moments that remind Jean-Baptiste of his failure to live up to his reputation in the case of the woman on the bridge. It's quite a depressing symbol, since Jean-Baptiste comes to question laughter even when it is innocent - a mark of pleasure becomes one of cynicism.
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