The Real Story

I will keep this section short, because basically it is a reiteration of the content in the Character section. This is a beautifully written piece of literature. In fact it is one of the first novels written in the French Romantic style. This French Romantic style does not mean it is a sappy chick book.

The Romantics liked Gothic architecture along with big, in your face, characters and plots. This book contains plenty of violence and sexual undertones as well as an enticing plot peppered with accurate descriptions of the people and places of 1482 Paris. The French citizens of Paris were a rough bunch back then and Victor Hugo describes them wonderfully. Last of all, the novel has a dark and sinister feel found in the characters' thoughts, actions, and relationships. This sinister feel along with the gothic scenery make it an even better read.

Here are some of my favorite examples:

The scourging of Quasimodo at the pillory. Book6 Chapter4

A second stroke followed the first, then a third, and another, and another, and so on. The wheel continued to turn and the blows to fall. Soon there was blood; you saw it trickling in a thousand streaks over the dark shoulders of the hunchback, and the keen lashes, as they whipped around in the air, scattered drops over the crowd.

Thenceforth, he did not move. Nothing could make him stir. Neither the blood which flowed freely, nor the strokes of the whip which rained down upon his back with redoubled fury, nor the violence of the torturer who had worked himself up into a sort of intoxication, nor the whistling of those brutal lashes.

Below is Claude Frollo (the archdeacon) trying once again to set things straight with the young gypsy girl, Esmeralda. Something he is does plenty of in the book. This is the night before she is scheduled to be executed for witchcraft. Book8 Chap4

Since you had possessed me for so long, I desired to possess you in my turn. When one thinks evil, one may as well consummate it. 'Tis madness to stop midway! The extremity of the crime has its delirium of joy. A priest and a witch may join in ecstasy upon the straw of a dungeon floor!

That was just two examples of the incredible descriptions contained in this story.

Of course the text in the copy of the book you read may be different, since this novel was written in French and translated to English. The copy that I have is:

The Hunchback Of Notre-Dame
COMPLETE AND UNABRIDGED
by Victor Hugo
A New Translation by Walter J. Cobb
Published by Penguin Group as a "Signet Classic"
Copyright 1965

I love the complex vocabulary contained in this translation.

Outline

I find the first 4 chapters of the first book of this novel to be a little difficult to follow. Therefore, I will give a walk-through of that section. Followed by a very brief outline of the story.

I have no idea why Victor Hugo made the first 4 chapters so difficult to follow. Basically, enjoy the antics of 15th century Parisians, while witnessing the downfall of Pierre's play. I promise you the rest of the novel will be a fast and enjoyable read.

The only characters that you should remember are Johannes (Jehan) Frollo, Clopin Trouillefou, Pierre Gringoire. The rest of the characters are basically filler with little if any reference later in the novel.

Book 1, Chap 1

This tale begins on January 6, 1492, at the Palace of Justice in the Great Hall. Both outside and within, a crowd of Paris citizens (Parisians)are awaiting the joint celebration of the Day of the Kings and the Feast of Fools.
The events consist of:
A mystery play
An election of the Fool's Pope
A parade of the Fool's Pope
A bonfire, and many prominent politicians, professors, and business owners to gawk and insult.

The author describes the history and grandeur of the hall along with the stage. Joannes Frollo de Molendino (Jehan Frollo) makes his appearance. He is a student and quickly takes to cracking jokes about his professors and the student bookstore owner. The crowd then gets anxious to see the mystery play which was supposed to begin at noon, but the play will not start until the cardinal arrives. They eventually get so worked up that they are going to kill the bailiffs guarding the stage. Then an actor, dressed as Lord Jupiter, steps on stage to calm down the crowd in his elaborate costume.

Book 1, Chap 2

Lord Jupiter (Michel Giborne) and another actor dressed in black (Lienarde) begin an impromptu play. Gisquette from the crowd gets involved (This goofy play scene has nothing to do with the plot, the characters are never mentioned again). Blended in at the end of this play scene, Pierre Gringoire introduces himself to two women, then tells the actors to start the mystery play (although the cardinal has not arrived). Pierre leans against a pillar to watch his play. At the start of the play the "beggar" Clopin Trouillefou (actually, king of the Truands "riffraff") climbs the scaffolding and begins asking for alms during the play. Jehan Frollo recognizes him and they begin to talk back and forth over the actors.

Book 1, Chap 3

The cardinal and many famous people enter the hall, each with a formal announcement yelled through a bullhorn. Johannes (Jehan) busts jokes about the cardinal

Book 1, Chap 4

Master Jacques Coppenole enters the hall. He is a loudmouth and his comments further ruin Pierre's play. The play is started again, but Jacques, Jehan, and Clopin make so many comments during it that the play never makes it to the end.

Coppenole states that the Fool's Pope should be elected instead. The mystery play is ended and the stage is set for the election.

Book 1, Chap 5

From here on the rest of the novel is straightforward reading. The election is easy to follow, and Quasimodo easily wins the competition.

Book 1, Chap 6

Esmeralda the gypsy makes her entrance in the novel.

Now those of you who want a quick rundown of the true ending of this novel...read on.
For those of you that would rather learn the fates of the characters on your own just click the HOME below.

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Rouen Cathedral
Claude Monet 1892-1894

Since I go into a fair level of detail in my Characters section I will keep this as an outline.

Pierre is forced to live in the streets.
Esmeralda is almost kidnapped by Quasimodo, but is rescued by Captain Phoebus.
Pierre wanders into the Court of Miracles
Pierre is saved from execution by Esmeralda's choice to marry him.
The marriage is never consummated, and becomes platonic.
We learn the history of Quasimodo, Claude, and Jehan.
Quasimodo is tried and found guilty for attacking Esmeralda. We are introduced to The Recluse at this point.
Quasimodo is scourged and pillared, Esmeralda brings him a drink of water.
Esmeralda secret crush on Phoebus is accidentlly revealed.
The rendezvous date and time are planned for the rendezvous between Phoebus and Esmeralda.
Claude and Pierre exchange information concerning Esmeralda.
Claude gives money to Jehan, who in turn gets Phoebus drunk.
Phoebus goes to the rendezvous with Esmeralda, followed by Claude.
Claude pays for the room and waits for Phoebus to return with Esmeralda.
Claude stabs Phoebus with Esmeralda in the room.
Claude escapes, Esmeralda is captured by the authorities.
Esmeralda is tortured, goes to trial, and is visited by Claude.
Esmeralda is brought out for execution, but she is rescued by Quasimodo.
Esmeralda lives in Notre-Dame for 4 years.
The king decides to break the sanctuary and execute Esmeralda.
Claude and Pierre plan to incite the Truands (riffraff who live in the Court of Miracles, lead by Clopin Troufilou) to attack Notre-Dame and rescue Esmeralda. During the attack they plan to sneak her out the back door.
Quasimodo rains hell down on the Truands from atop the cathedral.
Quasimodo kills Jehan.
Esmeralda and Djali (the goat) are "rescued" from the cathedral by Pierre and Claude.
The four of them row across the river that runs behind the cathedral.
Upon landing, Pierre runs off with Djali, leaving Claude and Esmeralda together.
Esmeralda would rather die then love Claude.
Esmeralda is left with the Recluse while Claude goes to fetch the authorities.
Esmeralda learns that The Recluse is her mother.
Esmeralda is taken to the gallows.
The Recluse attacks the executioner and is killed.
Esmeralda is executed by hanging.
Claude and Quasimodo watch the execution from atop the cathedral.
Quasimodo pushes Claude off the cathedral from behind.
Claude falls to his death.
Quasimodo disappears from society.
Phoebus marries Fleur-de-Lys.
Quasimodo's skeleton is found years later in the mass grave beneath the gallows clutching the corpse of Esmeralda.

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David Lammers
E-Mail: biggreenpinetree@yahoo.com