The Hunchback of Notre Dame - Victor Hugo

"In 'The Hunchback of Notre-Dame,' there is the ugly yet sincere Quasimodo, and the hypocritical Claude; the brave Esmeralda, and the deceitful Phoebus. Kind and ordinary people are weak and helpless under the rampant despotic rule of the church, which is precisely what Hugo depicts—the tragedy of fate that people cannot escape.

Victor Hugo, a French writer, was born in Besançon, France, in 1802. He is a representative writer of early 19th-century French Romantic literature and is often called the 'Shakespeare of France.' His notable works include the novels 'The Hunchback of Notre-Dame' and 'Les Misérables.'"

Transcript

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"After the fire is out, the ashes are cold." This line is written at the beginning of "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame." Today, we will talk about this book, which was written by one of the greatest French writers, Victor Hugo. In the bell tower of Notre-Dame, there lives a monstrously ugly yet kind-hearted bell ringer named Quasimodo. Notre-Dame is his home. What does the real Notre-Dame look like? It was built from 1163 to 1345, taking Parisians 182 years to complete. The entire cathedral is essentially built of stone, so Hugo refers to Notre-Dame in his novel as a symphony of stone. It is a Gothic cathedral, and the most prominent feature of Gothic architecture, which you will understand immediately, is its height, verticality, and pointed design. The lines of the building soar upwards. The top is so pointed that it seems to pierce the clouds, reaching towards heaven. Another characteristic is the stained glass windows. When sunlight streams through the colourful glass into the cathedral, the brilliant, dreamlike colours are probably what people imagine heaven to look like.

In April 2019, a news event shook the world: 1:25

Notre-Dame caught fire. The blaze caused the spire at the top of Notre-Dame to collapse, with severe internal damage. Fortunately, Quasimodo's bell tower remained intact. On the same day, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that they would rebuild the cathedral together. As of today, France is still repairing Notre-Dame, with plans to reopen it by the end of 2024. We eagerly await the moment when Notre-Dame will reopen. As a building over 850 years old, Notre-Dame has witnessed many significant historical events, such as Napoleon's coronation and other pivotal moments in human history. Some say Notre-Dame will be immortalized in Hugo's writing. Indeed, while buildings may be destroyed, the power of literature transcends time and remains evergreen. Hugo took six months to write this work, doing so very quickly. It is hailed as one of the greatest novels of the 19th century and a renowned example of Romantic literature. Despite being written over 600 years ago, you will be amazed to find that the people and events in the book, as well as the human experiences it portrays, are still easily understood today."The Hunchback of Notre-Dame" revolves around four main characters. The first is the beautiful, pure-hearted, and kind Gypsy girl, Esmeralda. The second is the outwardly solemn but inwardly evil archdeacon, Claude Frollo. The third is the handsome but morally corrupt captain of the archers, Phoebus. The fourth is the deformed and ugly yet kind-hearted bell ringer of Notre-Dame, who is also Frollo's adopted son, Quasimodo.

The story goes like this: In the 15th century, Claude Frollo, the archdeacon of Notre-Dame, had lived a celibate life for over thirty years. But one day, he very unluckily—or perhaps luckily—fell in love with the beautiful gypsy girl, Esmeralda. This love brought him immense pain: 3:06

on one hand, his sinful desires made him feel like he was betraying his religious vows; on the other hand, Esmeralda had no love for this old and unattractive priest.

The beautiful girl's heart belonged to someone else—who was it? It was the young and handsome officer, Phoebus. So, Frollo devised a plot: 3:36

he wounded Phoebus and framed Esmeralda for the crime, accusing her of being a witch and trying to use his authority to force her to submit to him and beg for mercy. However, Frollo didn't expect that his adopted son, Quasimodo, would stand up for Esmeralda in her time of need, rescuing her and bringing her to Notre-Dame for sanctuary. Enraged, Frollo issued an arrest warrant through the courts. Esmeralda escaped from the sanctuary and was joyfully reunited with her mother, whom she had been separated from for fifteen years. But just as she was about to successfully escape, Esmeralda's attempt to attract Phoebus' attention resulted in her mother's death, ultimately leading to her own execution by hanging. After these events, Quasimodo saw Frollo's true monstrous nature. In a fit of despair and anger, the bell ringer pushed his foster father from the top of the cathedral, then clung to Esmeralda's body, and they turned to two skeletons embracing each other. The story is full of dramatic twists and turns. Let's take a closer look.

First, let's talk about the bell ringer, Quasimodo. His debut is dramatic and unforgettable. In Paris in 1482, there was a tradition of selecting a "King of Fools" each year. The rules were simple: 4:56

everyone would take turns sticking their head through a decorated window and making the ugliest face possible. The one who looked the most hideous would be crowned King of Fools. This was a public entertainment event, and everyone enjoyed it. But clearly, when it came to ugliness, no one could compete with Quasimodo. Although Notre-Dame has been adapted into many films and TV shows, and the character of the bell ringer has left a lasting impression, visual media can't quite capture the imaginative freedom that written words can provide.

When Quasimodo was led out from behind the carved window of the small chapel, people saw his full form for the first time. His entire body was grotesque: 5:39

a large head covered in red hair, a hunchback rising between his shoulders, and the hump so pronounced that it could be seen from the front when he moved. How did someone born so unusual survive? This brings us to Quasimodo's adoptive father, Claude Frollo. Frollo came from a noble family, albeit a minor one, making his family part of the middle class of that time. Under strict parental guidance, his life was destined for religious devotion from a young age. Through natural talent and hard work—an effort so intense it became fanatical—Frollo learned Latin, Greek, and Hebrew at a young age and excelled in many disciplines. He became an academic prodigy, passing through every stage of scholarship, teaching, and various academic honors, as Hugo describes. However, a plague claimed the lives of tens of thousands, including Frollo's parents, leaving him with a baby brother named Jehan. This tragic event marked a turning point in Frollo's life. As an orphan, the eldest son, and a nineteen-year-old guardian, he was suddenly pulled from his academic dreams and thrust into the harsh reality of life, where he had to focus on raising his brother.

This background shows that Frollo had never loved anyone except for books. Yet, now he felt a strange and sweet emotion: 7:06

the desire to raise a small child. This parentless baby brother, who fell into his arms from the heavens, transformed Frollo into a new man, making him realize there was more to life than just seminary theories and Homer's epics. What does this mean? Frollo understood that humans need emotions, knowing that without warmth and love, life would be like a dry wheel creaking as it turns.  What a wonderful metaphor. Despite Hugo living in the early 19th century, and this story taking place in the distant 15th century, the realization that life’s significance lies in love and emotion still resonates with everyone today. Claude experienced this feeling firsthand. He showered his younger brother, Jehan, with boundless affection and felt a great responsibility that made life more serious. As a result, he dedicated himself even more to his religious duties. By the age of twenty, he had received a special dispensation from the Roman Church and became a priest at Notre-Dame. One Sunday after Easter, while walking in front of Notre-Dame, Claude found an abandoned baby on a carved wooden bench. The child was wrapped in a burlap sack, revealing only an ugly head with a tuft of red hair. The baby had only one eye, and his teeth looked terrifying. We all know this poor creature as Quasimodo. He had been abandoned by his parents at birth and left there. Seeing this unfortunate little being, with his deformities and abandonment on the cold ground, Claude was struck by the thought that if he had died during the plague, his brother Jehan would have faced the same tragic fate, abandoned on such a bench with no one to care for him. Claude was overwhelmed with compassion. You see, that's how emotions are born. He took Quasimodo in, and thus Quasimodo became Claude’s adopted son. By the way, the name Claude gave him—Quasimodo—means “the first Sunday after Easter.” This is a straightforward factual statement. Quasimodo grew up by his foster father’s side in Notre-Dame, eventually becoming the cathedral’s bell ringer. In this way, Quasimodo found his place and sense of belonging within the church. He rarely stepped outside the cathedral. He wasn't just a resident; he was almost an integral part of the church itself. He explored and climbed every corner of Notre-Dame, familiar with every protrusion and recess. People often saw him clinging to the exterior of the two bell towers like a lizard on a steep wall. Quasimodo was deeply attached to Notre-Dame because of his strange appearance, which subjected him to scorn, mockery, disgust, and baseless curses from others. As a result, he preferred to talk to the statues in the cathedral. This self-protection also made him quite fierce, except when he was with the bells, where his gentle side would emerge.He had named all fifteen bells in Notre-Dame, such as Marie and Jacqueline. He would caress them and talk to them. Quasimodo's greatest joy was ringing those bells.

Now that we know the priest and the bell ringer, let’s look at another main character: 10:19

Esmeralda. She is a beautiful woman, and in the novel, her debut is in Place de Grève. Esmeralda has a lovely name and a small white goat named Djali, with golden horns and hooves. This goat can perform tricks and mimic the antics of important people.  With her goat, traveled to Paris with a group of wanderers, Esmeralda danced and sang in the square, making the goat perform tricks to earn a living, bringing endless joy to the Parisians in exchange for the coins she needed. Thus, the priest, the bell ringer, the down-and-out poet, and the wandering Bohemian girl Esmeralda, who would otherwise never have crossed paths, were brought together by a dramatic encounter. How did this fateful meeting happen? Let’s go back to January 6, 1482. What was special about this day? It was traditionally a day to celebrate both Epiphany and the Feast of Fools. A miracle play was being performed in the Palace of Justice, authored by the down-and-out poet Pierre Gringoire. Unfortunately, no one appreciated his work. Naturally, this unlucky poet earned no money, leaving him without food or a place to stay, so he wandered around.

On this day, he wandered to Place de Grève, where, like everyone else, he was immediately captivated by Esmeralda dancing in the center of the crowd. Among the crowd was another person: 11:35

Claude Frollo, the archdeacon of Notre-Dame. Esmeralda's impact on Frollo was profound and even philosophical. He stared at her intently, with a strange light in his eyes. Meanwhile, the procession for the King of Fools arrived at the square, including beggars, thieves, disabled people, and acrobats. The newly crowned King of Fools, Quasimodo, held a scepter, wore a robe, and a crown, sitting proudly in the center of the procession. For the first time, he felt a sense of self-respect and joy he had never experienced before. However, as Quasimodo was reveling in his newfound happiness, his foster father, Claude Frollo, angrily interrupted the procession, snatching the scepter from Quasimodo. The crowd gasped as they saw the fearsome Quasimodo leap from his chair, kneel before Frollo, and allow him to tear off his crown, break his scepter, and rip his gleaming robe. The only things Quasimodo feared were Notre-Dame and his foster father. Due to his deafness, Quasimodo could only communicate with Frollo through gestures and a secret language of signs understood by no one else. After some gesturing, they walked into a narrow alley, and the crowd dispersed. At this time, Esmeralda finished her performance and was heading back to her place. The down-and-out poet, as if possessed, followed the beautiful girl through the maze of alleys, past the marketplace and the gallows. Just as she turned a corner, the poet heard a sharp cry. He saw Esmeralda being grabbed by two men, struggling in their grasp. The men tried to silence her. Her poor goat, Djali, was terrified, bleating with its head down."Help! The night patrol!" shouted the poet, rushing forward to rescue the girl. One of the men turned his head, and the poet recognized the horrifying face of Quasimodo. Quasimodo came towards him and, with a swift movement, threw the poet onto the cobblestones several feet away. Quasimodo then turned back, lifted Esmeralda as if she were a silk scarf draped over his arm, and carried her into the darkness. The poet watched helplessly as Quasimodo and his companion abducted Esmeralda. Who was Quasimodo’s companion? None other than Archdeacon Frollo. Quasimodo obeyed only his foster father. This abduction was carried out under Frollo’s orders. However, the plan failed because the poet's cries were heard by Captain Phoebus, leader of the King’s archers, who came to the rescue, saved Esmeralda, and captured Quasimodo. Frollo, seizing the opportunity presented by the chaos and darkness, escaped quietly. The story doesn't end there. Our unfortunate poet wakes up from his faintness and finds no one around. He continues walking and is soon besieged by three beggars. In his confusion, he accidentally stumbles into the Cour des Miracles. What is this place? It’s a very dangerous area controlled by thieves. It is home to Bohemians, defrocked monks, disillusioned scholars, people of different nationalities and religions, all covered in colorful painted sores. By day, they are beggars; by night, they become robbers. Our hapless poet arrives here and is immediately surrounded by the inhabitants. They take him to their leader, who happens to be the same person who led the thieves in the Fool’s King procession. They plan to hang the poet. Of course, the poet does not accept this grim fate, so they negotiate. There is only one way for him to survive. According to the laws of the Bohemians, if a woman steps forward and says she is willing to marry a man about to be hanged, the man will be spared.

The poet looks around desperately. Three women come forward: 15:30

beggars and an old, ugly woman. They ask him a few questions, but, to his despair, none of them is willing to marry him. Just when the poet is about to lose all hope, a young girl steps forward and loudly declares, "I want him!" Who is this girl? Esmeralda. This beautiful rose says, "I want him." The leader of the Cour des Miracles brings out a jug and has the poet smash it on the ground, breaking it into four pieces. The leader then places his hands on the foreheads of the poet and Esmeralda and declares, "Brother, she is your wife. Sister, he is your husband. For four years. Go." The poet's life is spared. However, does Esmeralda truly want to marry this unlucky poet? No. She has no intention of marrying him; she only does so to repay the poet for his cry for help earlier. Despite the poet's minimal help, Esmeralda feels indebted to him. She steps forward to say she is willing to marry him, thus repaying her debt. This marriage is in name only, but it shows Esmeralda's character. She is loyal and righteous, with clear distinctions between love and hate. Let's return to Quasimodo. He is captured for kidnapping the girl and is taken to the scaffold in Place de Grève to be flogged. The crowd watching is full of disdain for Quasimodo; no one pities him. They jeer, curse, and throw stones at him. Quasimodo struggles in his chains, glaring fiercely at the crowd to intimidate them. But the prolonged flogging and torment make him extremely thirsty, and he hoarsely and angrily cries out, "Water!" This cry evokes no sympathy. Instead, the crowd laughs even harder, revealing their cold-heartedness. Everyone thinks Quasimodo's appearance is more bizarre and unapproachable rather than pitiable. They enjoy seeing him suffer as if they were watching a trapped beast, not considering him as a fellow human being. Quasimodo is so parched that his tongue hangs halfway out of his mouth. He cries out for water a second and third time, but nothing happens. Then, a dramatic scene unfolds. The crowd parts, and a strangely dressed girl steps forward. She is incredibly beautiful, with a small white goat with golden horns by her side, holding a small drum. Who is this girl? Esmeralda. Quasimodo's single eye lights up as he recognizes her—the girl he tried to abduct the night before. He vaguely realizes that because of this, he is now being flogged. Quasimodo believes the girl has come to take revenge and will beat him like everyone else. But instead, Esmeralda walks up to him silently, and Quasimodo twists his body to avoid her. However, she doesn't hit him. She takes out a gourd from her chest and gently raises it to the poor man's cracked lips, offering him water. At this moment, the crowd witnesses a remarkable sight. From the parched, solitary eye of this monstrous man, a single tear rolls down his long, wrinkled, and ugly cheek. This is the first tear Quasimodo has ever shed in his tragic life. He experiences the power of kindness and love. As the story progresses, we see these important characters called by fate, gathering, and intertwining with each other, step by step moving toward the climax. What happens next?

Naturally, our attention focuses on the two main characters: 19:05

the unfortunate Quasimodo and the kind Esmeralda. However, we might overlook another crucial character in the novel, which is the archdeacon Claude. In the year the story takes place, Claude is about thirty-six years old, already a middle-aged man. Claude Frollo is no longer the innocent student of the College of Torchi; he is no longer the gentle protector of a child, nor the young dreamer familiar with many things and unfamiliar with many others. He has become a stern and gloomy priest, a figure who governs souls, a sinister and terrifying person. In the bell tower of Notre-Dame, Claude has set up a secret little room for himself, dedicated to studying alchemy. Claude is deeply obsessed with alchemy. One time, King Louis eleven disguised himself and, led by his royal physician, came to visit Claude to inquire about alchemy. When Claude explained the mysterious symbols hidden in many church buildings to the king, he suddenly sighed, pointing one hand at an open book on the table and the other at Notre-Dame, saying that this would destroy that. He meant that printing would eventually replace the art of architecture. We can reasonably believe that this is Hugo’s genuine thought; he is filled with sadness over the decline of medieval architectural art. He compares Notre-Dame to books, from the earliest monuments to the ornate churches. He uses extensive descriptions in the book to depict the entire history of Paris’s architectural art. In the preface, Hugo also tirelessly calls on people to preserve ancient monumental buildings, declaring that this is one of the main goals of his novel and one of his lifelong pursuits. Let’s return to the novel. Since the first sight of Esmeralda, Claude falls hopelessly in love with her. This causes Claude great pain, so he instructs Quasimodo to kidnap her. Then he begs the bishop to issue an order to expel her. He even diligently studies ancient witchcraft cases, providing ample reasons to justify burning her at the stake. Ultimately, all his efforts are in vain, and Esmeralda continues to dance every day in the Place de Grève. Whether in his eyes or his heart, Claude cannot rid himself of this beautiful woman. Unfortunately, he discovers that Esmeralda has fallen in love with someone else. Who is it? It’s the officer Phoebus who saved her that night. Since Phoebus showed his heroic spirit, Esmeralda has hopelessly fallen in love with this handsome officer. Esmeralda, only sixteen years old, is very innocent, knowing little but being enthusiastic about everything. She doesn’t even understand the difference between men and women. This lively girl is wholly devoted to the charming officer Phoebus, unaware that this is the beginning of her tragic fate. Phoebus is a complete playboy, already engaged to a noble lady but still flirting around. Seeing this beauty admire him so earnestly, how could he resist such an easy catch? So he decides to meet with her and take advantage of her. Claude learns about this and follows Phoebus at an inn. Just as Esmeralda is about to give herself entirely to love, the enraged Claude can no longer restrain himself. He rushes out and stabs Phoebus with a dagger he had prepared. Poor Esmeralda faints in fear at the sight. Claude then takes the opportunity to flee. When people arrive at the scene, they believe Esmeralda has killed Phoebus and arrest her as the culprit. During her trial, she experiences a ludicrous scene, fully reflecting the darkness of the judicial system during the Bourbon dynasty, when Hugo lived. Let’s look at one comical yet absurd scene. Esmeralda is brought to trial, accompanied by her innocent little goat. The prosecutor of the ecclesiastical court picks up her tambourine from the table, holding it in a particular way before the goat, and asks, “What time is it now?” The goat, with its intelligent eyes, looks at her and taps the tambourine seven times with its golden hoof, indicating it is seven o’clock.

The onlookers are generally scared. How could the goat be so smart? It must be a demon! Worse still, when the prosecutor of the royal ecclesiastical court shakes the movable letters from a small bag onto the table, the goat uses its paws to spell out a name: 23:24

Phoebus. Everyone is shocked. Does the goat have intelligence? Of course not. This is just a little trick Esmeralda taught it to express her love for Phoebus. But now, in the eyes of the onlookers, it is indisputable evidence of witchcraft. Thus, Esmeralda is sentenced to be hanged. The day before her execution, Claude visits Esmeralda in her cell and confesses everything. He tells her how madly he is in love with her, how he was the one who stabbed Phoebus, and that if she agrees to be with him, he can help her escape, and they can run away together. She won't have to be hanged. But how does Esmeralda feel about this? To her, Claude is a madman who killed the man she loves. All she feels is fear and extreme hatred. So, Esmeralda rejects the priest, curses him, and despises him. Claude, in utter despair, decides that if he can't have her, no one can, and resolves to let her die. According to the law, before Esmeralda is executed, she must make her final confession to a priest. Claude is the priest who hears her confession. Standing hypocritically in the square in front of the church, Claude uses the opportunity to plead with her one last time. He begs her to escape with him, warning that she will die if she doesn't. But she refuses again. Claude then loudly declares Esmeralda's fate, instructing the executioner to take her away and hang her. After making this decision, Claude is filled with despair and cannot bear to watch the scene. He runs away, torn between pain and jealousy. He imagines living a tender, intoxicating life with Esmeralda but is immediately shattered by the thought of the noose tightening around her pale neck, killing her. This thought drives him to the brink of madness. Claude runs uncontrollably until dusk, trying to escape nature, life, himself, humanity, and even God. Hugo's portrayal of this despair is profound, showing that while love might be a common trigger, the despair it causes has significant philosophical meaning. From a psychological and philosophical perspective, escaping is futile. No matter how immense the pain, despair, or joy, the only way is to face it directly. So, what becomes of Esmeralda? Just as the soldiers are about to take her to the gallows, she sees someone standing on a balcony at the corner of the square. Who is it? It’s Phoebus. Phoebus is not dead. Seeing the young officer she loves alive fills Esmeralda with joy and excitement. But unfortunately, even though her lover is alive, Phoebus does not step forward to clear her name. Despite his survival, he does nothing to save her, and Esmeralda is still doomed to face the terrible gallows. This shows that Phoebus never truly cared about Esmeralda. At that moment, Quasimodo appeared. As the executioner moved to carry out the order, the strange Quasimodo suddenly leapt over the railing in front of the building, gripping the rope with his hands, feet, and knees. Then, like water running down a window, he slid down the wall, moving as gracefully as a cat leaping from a rooftop. He quickly ran towards the two assistants, knocking them down with his enormous fists, and lifted the Gypsy girl as if she were a doll, then darted into the church. The bell-ringer raised the girl high above his head, shouting "Sanctuary, Sanctuary!" in a booming voice. The crowd echoed his cry, their hands clapping in joy. Quasimodo's single eye gleamed with pride. What had happened? At that time, there was a law that considered the church a place of refuge. Even a condemned person, once inside a church, was under sacred protection and could not be touched. At that moment, Quasimodo became a hero. He saved the girl he loved, snatching her from the clutches of the law, and he felt immensely proud. All the power of the officers, judges, executioners, and the king was shattered by the insignificant Quasimodo through the power of sanctuary. Quasimodo took Esmeralda to a small room next to the tower, bringing her clothes, food, and bedding. Esmeralda stayed in the church, filled with gratitude but still unwilling to look at the bell-ringer much. When she slept, Quasimodo would secretly watch over her, guarding her door. When she woke, he would silently hide where she couldn’t see him. He humbly remained by the side of the woman he loved. One day, Esmeralda saw Phoebus in the square from the rooftop. Overcome with both joy and sorrow, she stretched out her arms towards the square, calling his name with tears in her eyes. Although deaf, Quasimodo understood everything. He was heartbroken, knowing that this woman loved someone else. From then on, he avoided appearing in front of Esmeralda. People might wonder, if Phoebus isn’t dead, wouldn’t Esmeralda’s murder charge be dropped? Why can’t she be free? The reason is that Phoebus did nothing to clear Esmeralda’s name. Moreover, Esmeralda saw a noble lady beside him that day. Still, she lied to herself, believing the handsome officer still loved her. Love had brought her to such a humble state. Let’s talk about Archdeacon Claude. With Esmeralda taken by Quasimodo and Phoebus still alive, Claude was again filled with pain and jealousy, and his madness intensified. One day, he sneaked into Esmeralda’s room with ill intentions. Fortunately, Quasimodo arrived in time and saved Esmeralda once again, exposing Claude’s ugliness to Quasimodo. As an archdeacon, Claude knew one more thing. The Court of Parliament, ignoring the tradition of sanctuary, issued an order to drag Esmeralda out of Notre Dame and execute her. Claude then found the down-and-out poet Gringoire, and they planned to rescue Esmeralda together. Gringoire agreed to the plan, thinking Claude was acting out of kindness and justice. He persuaded a group of beggars and thieves to attack Notre Dame the night before the execution, intending to rescue Esmeralda and, incidentally, loot the church. During the reign of Louis eleven, public security was chaotic, with rampant robberies. The police couldn’t be relied upon; it was fortunate if they didn’t rob the people themselves. The royal guards had their defenses. Churches often relied on their sanctity for self-defense, with no protective measures.

That night, the army of beggars began their attack, but they faced a significant problem: 30:49

Notre Dame had Quasimodo. The poor deaf man couldn’t hear their calls and didn’t know these people were Esmeralda’s friends and family, coming to save her. He thought they wanted to take her to the gallows. Quasimodo did everything he could to protect the girl he loved. He fought fiercely against the hundred-strong mob. When the beggars used hoes and shovels to break down the church door, Quasimodo threw a massive beam down, killing twelve people. When they used the beam as a battering ram, Quasimodo dropped large stones on them. The beggars did not give up and continued their attack. As the door was about to break, Quasimodo had a clever idea. He lit fires in two stone gutters above the door and placed rolls of lead in them to melt. The molten lead flowed down the gutters, scalding the beggars like molten lava, burning them severely. Their screams echoed, and in the firelight, they saw their opponent was Quasimodo. They believed it was the ghost of a marquis, not just Quasimodo. With the lead continuously pouring down, the door became inaccessible.

In their desperation, the clever Jehan, Claude’s younger brother, brought a ladder and led an attack from the wall. When he climbed to the top of the wall, he encountered a terrifying sight: 32:07

Quasimodo stood before him. Below, everyone saw Quasimodo grab Jehan’s arms with his left hand and disarm him with his right. Quasimodo then hoisted Jehan by his feet and swung him around like a slingshot. There was a sound like a coconut shell hitting a wall, and Jehan’s body hung from a protruding ledge, dead with a broken waist and shattered head. This scene shocked the crowd, igniting their bloodthirsty instincts. They furiously attacked from all sides with ladders. Quasimodo, despite his strength, couldn’t hold the place any longer. At his most desperate moment, the king’s army arrived and defeated the beggar army. Exhausted, Quasimodo joyfully ran back to Esmeralda’s room to tell her she was safe. But the room was empty. Esmeralda was gone. Who took her? It was Gringoire’s scheme. While the beggars made a noisy frontal attack, distracting Quasimodo, Gringoire and Claude sneaked in through a side door and took Esmeralda away. Esmeralda recognized the down-and-out poet and thought she was safe, believing they had come to rescue her. She followed them and crossed the Seine River by boat. However, to her dismay, the poet, under Claude’s threat, abandoned her. Esmeralda was then taken by Claude, who dragged her to the gallows in the center of the Place de Grève. There, he lifted his hat, revealing his identity. Esmeralda was horrified to see that it was the archdeacon. What was Claude going to do? He was indeed mad. Pointing to the gallows, he said, “Now, between the gallows and me, you have to choose.” How could she choose? Esmeralda ultimately chose the gallows. “I would rather die than give in to you,” she declared. Claude then summoned the king’s soldiers and ordered them to carry out the execution. He wanted to personally escort her to the gallows and then returned to Notre Dame to watch from the belfry. The sun had just risen, illuminating everything. From afar, Quasimodo saw Esmeralda dressed in white being led to the gallows. The sight was heartbreaking. Even if Quasimodo wanted to exchange his life for hers, the distance and the Seine River in between made it impossible. He could only watch helplessly. The executioner kicked the ladder away, and Esmeralda was left hanging, struggling. After a while, Quasimodo saw the unfortunate girl swinging at the end of the rope. The executioner then stepped on her shoulders, causing the rope to twist. Quasimodo saw Esmeralda’s body convulse horribly, and then she was still. She was dead. It was the most tragic moment. An inhuman, devilish smile spread across Claude’s face. Quasimodo couldn’t hear the laugh but saw the smile clearly and recognized the devilish visage. Quasimodo stepped back from Claude, and then, in a sudden fit of rage, he charged at him. He attacked his adoptive father, a man he’d known for decades. With both hands, he pushed Claude’s back. The priest shouted, “Damn!” and fell. Both the priest and Esmeralda died at the same moment.

What about poor Quasimodo? He stood still, as if struck by lightning, silent. Tears, the second he’d ever shed, flowed from his single eye. His beloved girl was dead, and his adoptive father was dead. He looked up at Esmeralda one last time, then down at the broken body of Claude. From deep within, a sob emerged: 35:35

“They were both people I loved.” Thus, everything ended. The conclusion of the novel, and the fate of our protagonist Quasimodo, carries a tragic dignity. In the end, people found two skeletons in the crypt of Montfaucon. One skeleton was of a woman, with remnants of white clothing, and was tightly embraced by the other. This was, of course, Esmeralda. The other skeleton, which held her tightly, was that of a man with a curved spine, his skull nestled between his shoulder blades, one leg shorter than the other. His tibia had no marks, showing he wasn’t hanged. This man must have gone to the crypt and died there, beside the girl he loved, still holding her tightly in death. When people tried to separate the skeletons, they crumbled to dust. Quasimodo and his beloved girl became bones, then dust, but their love did not disappear.