Previous
Book 9, Chapter 6
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Hunchback of Notre Dame, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Gothic Architecture, History, and Art
Lust, Sin, and Misogyny
Appearances, Alienation, and Hypocrisy
Fate and Predestination
The Supernatural, Rationalism, and Knowledge
Justice, Punishment, and Freedom
Summary
Analysis
Although Gringoire is pleased that Esmeralda and Djali have been rescued, he does not want to risk his own safety to visit them in Notre Dame. Gringoire has developed a new passion for architecture and this soothes his soul and helps him forget his troubles. He still works as a street performer and prepares to write a diatribe against a bishop who has annoyed him. One afternoon, while Gringoire examines a building, Frollo approaches him.
Gringoire’s interest in architecture reflects Hugo’s own passion for the subject. However, while Hugo feels that architecture reflects the emotions and spirit of humanity, Gringoire is obsessed with petty things, like his grudge against the bishop, and he only cares about architecture as a way to comfort himself. In this way, Gringoire represents shallow 19th century architects, who are only interested in pretty or fashionable architecture, rather than architectural grandeur and complexity.
Themes
Gringoire is surprised to see Frollo and he explains his new love of architecture. Frollo seems bitter and skeptical and asks Gringoire if there is anything that he desires. Gringoire says there is not; his life is in perfect balance. As they talk, Phoebus rides past and Gringoire remarks that Frollo stares at the soldier very intently. Frollo denies this and tells Gringoire that he has a proposition for him.
Frollo resents Gringoire because he can tell that, unlike him, Gringoire has a very even temperament and does not suffer from the extreme passions like the ones Frollo is always trying to repress.
Themes
Frollo leads Gringoire to a quiet street and asks him if he is jealous of the soldiers, with their good pay and their handsome uniforms. Gringoire replies that he doesn’t see why he should be: he is quite content with his lot in life. Frollo then asks Gringoire what he has done about Esmeralda. Gringoire is confused and says that he heard Esmeralda had taken refuge in Notre Dame.
Frollo can see that, unlike himself, Gringoire is a very even-tempered person who does not have strong passions or ambitions. Frollo’s passions have made him bitter and destructive because they have not worked out the way he planned, and he resents his fate. Gringoire, on the other hand, accepts his fate and does not try to fight it.
Themes
Frollo says that this is true but that, in three days’ time, parliament will overrule Esmeralda’s sanctuary and she will be hanged. Gringoire says this is a pity but he does not want to be hanged himself; he has just started to write a major work. Frollo reminds Gringoire that Esmeralda once saved his life and Gringoire says that he will try to think of a way to save her.
Gringoire is not a passionate man and cares more about his book, which is a petty diatribe against a bishop he dislikes, than about great beauty or suffering, which are represented through Esmeralda’s plight. Unlike Frollo, he does not suffer from intense emotions or desires and, although he likes Esmeralda, he does not care strongly enough about her to risk his life. Gringoire, in this sense, is a parody of 19th century architects, who Hugo feels undervalue Gothic architecture because it is too extreme and emotional for them.
Themes
Get the entire The Hunchback of Notre Dame LitChart as a printable PDF.
Frollo announces that he already has a plan. He suggests that Gringoire should sneak into Notre Dame and give Esmeralda his clothes to disguise herself and escape. At first Gringoire likes this plan but then he realizes that he may be hanged for this. Frollo again reminds Gringoire that he would be dead already if not for Esmeralda, and Gringoire tearfully agrees.
Gringoire’s lack of passion comes through again here; he agrees to help Esmeralda because Frollo convinces him he’s obligated to, not because he’s especially upset at the thought of her dying. Through Gringoire, Hugo shows that while repressing strong emotion can be destructive, it can be just as bad to not have those emotions in the first place.
Themes
As Frollo turns to leave, however, Gringoire has a better idea and he rushes after the archdeacon. Gringoire explains that he doesn’t want to die but that he has a plan to rescue Esmeralda. The thieves in the “Court of Miracles” are very fond of Esmeralda, he says, and they will riot if he spurs them on. Gringoire leans over to whisper his plan into Frollo’s ear. Frollo listens intently and agrees that they must act the next night. Frollo marches off and Gringoire thinks sadly about poor little Djali, who was almost hanged.
Gringoire is a cowardly man who does not suffer from intense emotions or grand passions. Instead, he is mostly interested in saving himself and is willing to manipulate others in order to avoid danger himself. Hugo suggests that intellectuals, like Frollo and Gringoire, often manipulate large groups of people to do their bidding, because people unified in large numbers can be very powerful. Gringoire is too small-minded and petty to appreciate Esmeralda’s great beauty and virtue and prefers the pretty goat to her. He is a parody of 19th century architects who Hugo feels reject the Gothic for shallow reasons—because it is not a picturesque or pretty artform.
Themes
