The Hunchback of Notre Dame takes place in Paris, France in 1482. It is a story of unrequited love, superstition, and Gothic architecture. Hugo did not only write to share Quasimodo's story, but also bring awareness to the merit of Gothic Architecture. The story starts at the priestly celebration of the Festival of Fools. A part of the event is electing the ugliest person as the Pope of Fools, which would happen to be the hunchback, Quasimodo. Not long after, he is beaten by an angry mob. Out of pity, Esmeralda shows him kindness by offering him a drink. Unaccustomed to human kindness, Quasimodo swore to dedicate his life to protecting her.
Esmeralda has stolen the hearts of two other men though, the hunchback's master, Archdeacon Frollo, and the prurient Captain Pheobus. Esmeralda has fallen hard for the captain, so she accepts when he asks her to meet with him one night. He tries to persuade the Roma girl to "keep him company", all while Frollo looks on from the closet. He bursts out in a fit of rage and stabs Pheobus, both he and the gypsy faint while Frollo escapes the scene. Esmeralda is taken by the guard and sentenced to hang her crime (Pheobus survived, but believes her to be guilty). Quasimodo attempts give her sanctuary in the church, only to be betrayed by Frollo who brought her to an angry mob. She is hanged, and in his despair, Quasimodo throws Frollo off of the cathedral building. He is not seen for many years to come, until two skeletons are unearthed. The skeleton of a woman embraced by a hunchback. It is presumed Quasimodo died of a broken heart.
Esmeralda has stolen the hearts of two other men though, the hunchback's master, Archdeacon Frollo, and the prurient Captain Pheobus. Esmeralda has fallen hard for the captain, so she accepts when he asks her to meet with him one night. He tries to persuade the Roma girl to "keep him company", all while Frollo looks on from the closet. He bursts out in a fit of rage and stabs Pheobus, both he and the gypsy faint while Frollo escapes the scene. Esmeralda is taken by the guard and sentenced to hang her crime (Pheobus survived, but believes her to be guilty). Quasimodo attempts give her sanctuary in the church, only to be betrayed by Frollo who brought her to an angry mob. She is hanged, and in his despair, Quasimodo throws Frollo off of the cathedral building. He is not seen for many years to come, until two skeletons are unearthed. The skeleton of a woman embraced by a hunchback. It is presumed Quasimodo died of a broken heart.
Theme 1: Love and Lust
Esmeralda has three men pursuing her, one who vows to protect her at all costs, another who sees her as another conquest, and the final guy killed her because she didn't reciprocate his feelings.
Love, or lack thereof can effect a person in these sorts of ways.
Both Quasimodo and Frollo are withdrawn and inexperienced in love, but Quasimodo is more innocent than the cynical Frollo, who's time alone has left him bitter and sexually frustrated. Quasimodo's love for Esmeralda is the only genuine and wholesome love found in the novel.
Love, or lack thereof can effect a person in these sorts of ways.
Both Quasimodo and Frollo are withdrawn and inexperienced in love, but Quasimodo is more innocent than the cynical Frollo, who's time alone has left him bitter and sexually frustrated. Quasimodo's love for Esmeralda is the only genuine and wholesome love found in the novel.
Theme 2: Superstition
Ignorance and fear is widespread even today, though certainly not as much it was in the 1400's. A deformed man such as Quasimodo is bewitched, and Roma women like Esmeralda are witches. The hatred spread is the very source of conflict in the novel, its the reason the hunchback cannot live a normal like, the reason why Esmeralda will only be seen as a prize or threat. The supernatural is a very convenient way to prove someone guilty, especially if that person is a minority.
Theme 3: Justice
In the 21st century, the word "medieval" is associated with cruel and unusual punishment. Throughout the novel, mentions of a guillotine, gallows, and pillory are scattered throughout. The justice delivered was quick, and ineffective; delivered by flippant people who only thought of more creative ways to maim someone. This system is why Esmeralda was fated to die, basically being coerced into telling the judge what he wanted to hear. Hugo showcases this to show what awaits those who deviate; a lifetime of alienation, and an unavoidable death.
Favorite Quote: "When a man understands the art of seeing, he can trace the spirit of an age and the features of a king even in the knocker on a door" (p. 184).
Hugo wrote this to save Notre Dame, because at the time, Gothic-style buildings were being torn down and replaced with new ones. He felt that the structures were relics of their time. It stuck out to me because if buildings like the cathedral were removed, it would be like it never existed.
Hugo wrote this to save Notre Dame, because at the time, Gothic-style buildings were being torn down and replaced with new ones. He felt that the structures were relics of their time. It stuck out to me because if buildings like the cathedral were removed, it would be like it never existed.
Argument:
Victor Hugo described the Gothic buildings with such detail for a reason, to construct an image for the readers in hopes that they would go see the historical sights in their glory. He chose to write a story about a grimacing, yet charming hunchback as a sort of metaphor to Notre Dame. The building is ghastly with its gargoyles and tawdry design, but like Quasimodo, people cannot look past that to see the beauty found within. Telling a story about a man people despise despite his heart of gold made people see the value inside both.
Essay:
Kately M. Cockrell
Mr. Pace
DC English IV
Essay
October 17, 2019
A Crystal Vase and A Humble Pot
Love is both a potion and a poison: It can cure almost any ailment, nourish the spirit and heart. Love can prove to be deadly however; alienating a pious man from who he once was into a monster who will do anything to feel again. It can do a magnitude of things, but love does not last forever. But just because something is temporary, does that mean it should be forgotten? Notre Dame is nearly nine hundred years old, an eyesore from a time that seemed just as cruel. Victor Hugo sees beauty in the landmark from within, the thought that something as precious as the church was to be destroyed prompted him to write a story people would talk about for centuries.
As the years go by, society changes. Styles and incites change. “Out with the old and in with the new” is almost a hivemind prospect. Admittedly, Gothic Architecture has not aged well; the bland pigment of limestone scattered with ghoulish creatures comes off unsettling. In the 1800’s, people were eager to replace these buildings with something alluring. Victor felt they were alluring enough on their own, each angel and gargoyle stood poised and alert, gazing down at its subjects to remind them of their mortality. Notre Dame is alive with foreboding character, it only becomes obvious when one is familiar with her. Hugo spent much of his time visiting the cathedral, and he wants to show the rest of the world what he sees.
Quasimodo is Hugo’s metaphor for Notre Dame, while he is not pleasant to most, he has an undeniable charm that is only visible when you look longer. There is a heart of gold to be found in the hunchback, and if people can realize that for Quasimodo, perhaps they can do the same for the church. By having such an iconic story take place on this monument, people will envision every detail of the architecture that he has left on the page. To see something as it is instead of on a page is a desire many had after reading, Notre Dame is viewed as a work of art.
Like any worthwhile art piece, time and resources must be sacrificed which proved to be costly. It is even costly to those who gaze upon it, one’s eyes must wander and digest everything it sees because the structure is so intricate. There is merit to being able to design a multi-chambered structure to accommodate acoustics and sculpture; an effort of both sound architecture and engineering which is unique to its time.
The setting of the novel is in 1482 Paris, but the setting that matters is the one in the mind, preconceptions about the topic at hand do not belong to any given time period, but a problem- lack of imagination, the daring instinct to take risks. That’s what Hugo ultimately did was take a risk, he wrote a novel about something he cared deeply about with the hopes of saving it.
Victor Hugo ends the novel with Quasimodo mourning all that he has lost, his father-figure and the only real friend he’s ever known. All is temporary, and will eventually fade with time, but it should not be deliberately forgotten. Just as the greek word ANÁΓKH or “Fate” was etched away from the brow of the cathedral, Only time can truly have a say in whether something should go. For now, preservation is sometimes the best thing that can be done to aid in something wonderful.
Mr. Pace
DC English IV
Essay
October 17, 2019
A Crystal Vase and A Humble Pot
Love is both a potion and a poison: It can cure almost any ailment, nourish the spirit and heart. Love can prove to be deadly however; alienating a pious man from who he once was into a monster who will do anything to feel again. It can do a magnitude of things, but love does not last forever. But just because something is temporary, does that mean it should be forgotten? Notre Dame is nearly nine hundred years old, an eyesore from a time that seemed just as cruel. Victor Hugo sees beauty in the landmark from within, the thought that something as precious as the church was to be destroyed prompted him to write a story people would talk about for centuries.
As the years go by, society changes. Styles and incites change. “Out with the old and in with the new” is almost a hivemind prospect. Admittedly, Gothic Architecture has not aged well; the bland pigment of limestone scattered with ghoulish creatures comes off unsettling. In the 1800’s, people were eager to replace these buildings with something alluring. Victor felt they were alluring enough on their own, each angel and gargoyle stood poised and alert, gazing down at its subjects to remind them of their mortality. Notre Dame is alive with foreboding character, it only becomes obvious when one is familiar with her. Hugo spent much of his time visiting the cathedral, and he wants to show the rest of the world what he sees.
Quasimodo is Hugo’s metaphor for Notre Dame, while he is not pleasant to most, he has an undeniable charm that is only visible when you look longer. There is a heart of gold to be found in the hunchback, and if people can realize that for Quasimodo, perhaps they can do the same for the church. By having such an iconic story take place on this monument, people will envision every detail of the architecture that he has left on the page. To see something as it is instead of on a page is a desire many had after reading, Notre Dame is viewed as a work of art.
Like any worthwhile art piece, time and resources must be sacrificed which proved to be costly. It is even costly to those who gaze upon it, one’s eyes must wander and digest everything it sees because the structure is so intricate. There is merit to being able to design a multi-chambered structure to accommodate acoustics and sculpture; an effort of both sound architecture and engineering which is unique to its time.
The setting of the novel is in 1482 Paris, but the setting that matters is the one in the mind, preconceptions about the topic at hand do not belong to any given time period, but a problem- lack of imagination, the daring instinct to take risks. That’s what Hugo ultimately did was take a risk, he wrote a novel about something he cared deeply about with the hopes of saving it.
Victor Hugo ends the novel with Quasimodo mourning all that he has lost, his father-figure and the only real friend he’s ever known. All is temporary, and will eventually fade with time, but it should not be deliberately forgotten. Just as the greek word ANÁΓKH or “Fate” was etched away from the brow of the cathedral, Only time can truly have a say in whether something should go. For now, preservation is sometimes the best thing that can be done to aid in something wonderful.