The hunchback of notre dame essay questions gradesaver. Frederic shoberl, when he translated the novel into english two years after it was published, titled it the hunchback of notredame, thus placing quasimodo at the fore. Jun 08, 2012 i think the main literary device in the hunchback of notre dame is imagery because i feel that throughout the book the author of this story has been teaching and telling us about the city of paris and the beautiful sights such as the cathedrals and the evil slums where criminals live and where death occurs. Classic contemporary fantasy historical scifi thrillers uncategorized. A literary analysis of the metaphors found in the hunchback of notre dame by victor hugo all through the novel, and particularly in the second section of book iv, hugo goes to extraordinary logical lengths to interface real works of design, for example, notre dame, with the soul of the way of life that constructed it. Aug 25, 2018 check the best the hunchback of notre dame analysis written by an expert writer on the essayshark blog. Aug 03, 2012 the disney movie version, the hunchback of notre dame managed to capture two out of the three main portrayals of these ideals, even working it into a format that was appropriate for children to see without losing the subtlety of the source material. Genre historical fiction, romanticism, tragedy historical fiction victor hugo, one of the most famous writers of the. In it, hugo brings to life the cathedral of notre dame as it existed at the end of the fifteenth century. This popular quote from many movies and literary works describes the importance of love, and how there are no limits or barriers.
The 34th disney animated feature film and the seventh animated film produced and released during the period known as the disney renaissance, the film is based on the 1831 novel of the same name written by victor hugo. Beginning with the laying of the corner stone in 1163, she recounts the conversion of henri iv to catholicism, the coronation of napoleon, victor hugos nineteenthcentury campaign to preserve the cathedral, baron haussmanns clearing of the streets in front of it, the liberation in 1944, the 1950s film of the hunchback of notre dame, starring. Hugo describes the cathedral in a very ugly way, focusing on the grotesque and frightening gargoyles and the impassive statues of the saints. If you are interested in literary analysis samples, we have more for you on our blog. Beginning with the laying of the corner stone in 1163, she recounts the conversion of henri iv to catholicism, the coronation of napoleon, victor hugos nineteenthcentury campaign to preserve the cathedral, baron haussmanns clearing of the streets in front of it, the liberation in 1944, the 1950s film of the hunchback of notredame, starring.
With its medieval setting, inclusion of stock gothic characters such as the demonic and lust driven priest, claude frollo,and tragic ending, hugos novel is similar to gothic novels from the 18th century, such as the castle of otranto by horace walpole and the monk by matthew lewis. The hunchback of notre dame summary, characters, book. Imagery is also used strongly when the author describes the physical aspects of the. Learn by example and become a better writer with kibins suite of essay help services. This classic novel has been abridged and adapted into 10 illustrated chapters. The novel has been described as a key text in french literature and has been adapted for film over a dozen times, as well as numerous television and stage adaptations, such as a 1923 silent film with lon chaney, a 1939 sound film with charles laughton. The definition of the character of one of the principal personages of the hunchback of notre dame, claude frollo, is a controversial question because the actions and feelings of the priest are contradictory. It challenges us to look on our own lives and decide what makes us good, or what makes us evil. The cathedral inspired hugo to write the novel and encouraged his life long passion for gothic art and architecture.
Once upon a time, in a littleknown kingdom called france. Aug 15, 2019 the hunchback of notre dame is a french romanticgothic novel by victor hugo published in 1831. Although he had written one other novel han dislande, 1823, he had not really been known as a novelist. Romanticism was predominantly a reaction against classicism, which found its subjects in greek and roman antiquity. The hunchback of notre dame, like les miserables, concentrates heavily on class struggles. Thirtyfive reproducible activities per guide reiforce basic reading and comprehension skills while teaching higherorder critical thinking. Set in paris during the 15th century, the novel centers on quasimodo, the deformed bell ringer of notredame cathedral, and his unrequited love. This data is provided as an additional tool in helping to ensure edition identification. The use of historical events in the novel, particularly. The hunchback of notre dame is a 1996 american animated musical drama film produced by walt disney feature animation for walt disney pictures. A literary analysis of the hunchback of notre dame by victor hugo. The hunchback of notre dame is set in paris during the 15th century. Quasimodo, meaning halfformed is the misunderstood hunchbacked bell ringer of the cathedral of notre dame cathedral in france during the 15th century. The hunchback of notre dame was released in 1998, and it was never truly wellreceived.
As a result, after publication of the novel, tourists. Most would say that the movie is about not judging a book by its cover, and that is true, but that is also an oversimplification of a story that deals. The hunchback of notredame victor hugo page 2 read. Show how the architectural symbolism of notre dame cathedral is used to manipulate the tone of the story and to create allegorical criticism of the church. The cathedral we were kind of tempted to put notredame in the characters section simply because it plays such a huge role in this novel. Esmeralda, born agnes, is perceived to be a french roma girl. Browse essays about the hunchback of notre dame and find inspiration. For others, he is the comical character used to advertise telephones in the 1980s its esmeralda. However, the romantic literary movement seized upon the cathedral as a symbol of frances glorious christian past. Set in medieval paris, victor hugos classic historical romance the hunchback of notre dame has resonated with succeeding generations of readers since its initial publication in 1831. Perhaps the compelling truth of this novel lies in the. For many, the character of quasimodo is the eerie, scratchy figure from blackandwhite horror movies. The hunchback of notre dame critical evaluation essay.
Believing les miserables to be a fine work of literature, i undertook the reading of the hunchback of notre dame. Victor hugo is rightly considered one of the great literary minds of the. The studios 34th animated feature, the hunchback of notre dame, opened friday. The original title was eventually anglicized to become the hunchback of notredame. A literary analysis of the metaphors found in the hunchback of notredame by victor hugo all through the novel, and particularly in the second section of book iv, hugo goes to extraordinary logical lengths to interface real works of design, for example, notre dame, with the. Almost the entire movie is set in the cathedral of notre dame and it portrays some spiritual setting in its character. In examining persecution, revolution, and sin, the hunchback of notre dame viscerally hits home in exploring outcasts of all kinds. The hunchback of notre dame is an exquisite novel that can be read and enjoyed for nothing more than its tragic story of love, but it is also a novel that shows us the possibilities of weaving romanticism with the events of the past, of the power of imagination to create a thing of beauty and passion that will live forever. The cathedral we were kind of tempted to put notre dame in the characters section simply because it plays such a huge role in this novel. A criticism of the film the hunchback of notre dame 420 words. Alienation and miscommunication in the hunchback of notre dame. A white teenager was cast in the lead role of esmeralda, a.
Medievalism and modernity in victor hugos hunchback of. At its roots, the hunchback of notre dame is a story of hidden villains, unexpected heroes, and sanctuary. One must persist through hugos long preliminaries to appreciate the tragedy of the tale. The hunchback of notredame is an exquisite novel that can be read and enjoyed for nothing more than its tragic story of love, but it is also a novel that shows us the possibilities of weaving romanticism with the events of the past, of the power of imagination to create a thing of. The hunchback of notredame literary analysis the paper. The hunchback of notre dame uses the history of the middle ages and the structure of the notre dame cathedral to express its major themes. The same sort of thing goes on throughout the hunchback of notre dame. Aiding in the transmission of the cathedrals symbolic importance is the novel it inspired. The english title is a misnomer, since the protagonist of the story is esmeralda, the original title being a metaphor on the cathedral who serves as the central.
The disney movie version, the hunchback of notre dame managed to capture two out of the three main portrayals of these ideals, even working it into a format that was appropriate for children to see without losing the subtlety of the source material. Its been written by the obliviously untalented pierre gringoire. The hunchback of notre dame study guide contains a biography of victor hugo, literature essays, a complete etext, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. I dont have any kind of degree in english or literature, but i can give you my own, less tentativelycrafted summarization. In victor hugos famous novel the hunchback of notredame, claude frollo is the corrupt archdeacon of the titular notre dame cathedral. If you watched disneys the hunchback of notre dame you do not know this story at all. The hunchback of notredame analysis tone humorous, sarcastic this book might be a 500page tragedy, but make no mistake. Nevertheless, literary criticism has long maintained the cathedral as the central feature of the book, for good. The visionary poetry collection les feuilles dautomne the leaves of autumn is published. It started as a local debate over a new york high school production of the musical the hunchback of notre dame.
For the most part, it is a beautifully animated and compelling story, told with a sincerity and that famous disney charm. A study guide for victor hugos the hunchback of notre dame. Notre dame is the geographical and moral center of hugos fictional paris. The film particularly leans into its depiction and criticism of. When i first heard about the project, i wondered if the hunchback of notre dame could possibly work as a disney animated featureif the fearsome features and fate of its sad hero quasimodo would hold audiences at arms length. Whether you become a monster or a man, the choice is yours. The hunchback of notre dame criticism victor hugo this study guide consists of approximately 31 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of the hunchback of notre dame. An analysis of the juxtaposition between sublime and grotesque and the. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of the hunchback of notre dame. Anyone with a passing understanding of great literature will recognize the name of one of the protagoniststhe hideously misshapen quasimodo, named for the sunday on which he was found.
Like most of disneys recent handdrawn musicals, its expected to be a huge commercial success and. Mar 25, 2017 the hunchback of notre dame can teach us all a thing or two about what it means to be good and just. The hunchback of notre dame literature essays are academic essays for citation. Now 21years old, the films themes are still extremely relevant and important. The depiction of love in the hunchback of notredame. Hugo was a pioneer of the romantic movement, which stressed the individual experience of imagination and emotions. The hunchback of notre dame introduction author biography plot summary characters themes style historical context critical overview criticism sources further reading. The hunchback of notredame literary analysis the paper guide. The hunchback of notre dame was to change all that. One year later, quasimodo, esmeralda, frollo, and the rest of hugos cast of. If youre in the mood for a good head scratcher on sexual politics, give one of the two a look. Victor hugo enjoyed visiting this cathedral, and decided to immortalize it in his literary work.
The title refers to the notre dame cathedral in paris. Our lady of paris is a french gothic novel by victor hugo, published in 1831. Check the best the hunchback of notre dame analysis written by an expert writer on the essayshark blog. Also included are teaching suggestions, background notes. By the time victor hugo wrote the hunchback of notre. Although hugos lifes work included seven novels, eighteen volumes of poetry, twentyone plays, and as robb writes, approximately three million words of history, criticism, travel writing and philosophy, hugos the hunchback of notre dame retains the honor of being one of his two most famous works. Published just one year after the july revolution toppled the restoration monarchy of the bourbon king charles x, replacing him with the constitutional monarchy of his cousin. Posted by literaryanalysis on august 31, 2009 in classic. The hunchback of notre dame study guide from litcharts.
Editions of the hunchback of notredame by victor hugo. The hunchback of notredame is a french romanticgothic novel by victor hugo published in 1831. I think the main literary device in the hunchback of notre dame is imagery because i feel that throughout the book the author of this story has been teaching and telling us about the city of paris and the beautiful sights such as the cathedrals and the evil slums where criminals live and where death occurs. The hunchback of notre dame analysis blog essayshark.
Set in the medieval period, the novel presents a harsh criticism of the society that. Analyzing the hunchback of notre dame provides a fascinating look at some. The hunchback of notredame reflections on great literature. These somewhat tedious preliminaries are integral to the power of the whole.
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