Hugo’s Paris is alive, and he writes it like a force of nature. The volcano metaphor makes laughter feel hot and explosive, like energy that can’t be contained. In the story, the city produces both misery and brilliance: hunger in doorways, ideas in cafés, crowds that become history. This line captures how quickly mood spreads in a dense place,one spark, and everyone feels it. The emotion is Excited because there’s awe in the description, not just observation. It also hints that laughter can be political, a kind of mass defiance that refuses to be frightened into silence. If you’ve ever been swept up in the electricity of a city street, you’ll recognize this sensation instantly. It’s joy with teeth, the kind that can shake power.