Introduction

(Set in medieval Paris, Victor Hugo’s powerful historical romance The Hunchback of Notre-Dame has resonated with succeeding generations ever since its publication in 1837. It tells the story of the beautiful gypsy Esmeralda, condemned as a witch by the tormented archdeacon Claude Frollo, who lusts after her. Quasimodo, the deformed bell ringer of Notre-Dame Cathedral, having fallen in love with the kindhearted Esmeralda, tries to save her by hiding her in the cathedral’s tower. When a crowd of Parisian peasants, misunderstanding Quasimodo’s motives, attacks the church in an attempt to liberate her, the story ends in tragedy.

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Excerpt

Three hundred and forty-eight years, six months, and nineteen days ago to-day, the Parisians awoke to the sound of all the bells in the triple circuit of the city, the university, and the town ringing a full peal. ... view entire excerpt...

Discussion Questions

1) What is the nature of Quasimodo’s relationship with Frollo?

2) Describe Quasimodo’s and Frollo’s feelings for Esmeralda. How do they contrast?

3) What does Quasimodo’s attempted kidnap of Esmeralda tell us about Quasimodo and Frollo?

4) Esmeralda offers some water to Quasimodo after his torture – what effect does this have on him?

5)What are we to think of Phoebus and Fleur-de-Lys?

6) What are we to make of Frollo’s conduct?

7) How does Quasimodo change in the course of the story?

8) How is the architecture of Notre Dame used to support the story?

9) What are the main themes?

10)What role does fate play in the proceedings?

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