The Hunchback of Notre Dame: Book 2, Chapter 4 Summary & Analysis

Gringoire follows Esmeralda because she is beautiful, and her beauty makes her stand out. Although Gringoire does not mean Esmeralda harm, this demonstrates that Esmeralda’s extreme beauty could put her in danger and make her a target for men, which will happen later in the novel. Gringoire does not feel a strong sense of control over his destiny and, instead, leaves his fate up to chance. Gringoire is aware that people only have limited control over their lives, which sets him apart from other characters who try to control their fates.

Esmeralda is afraid of Gringoire because he follows her. This suggests that Esmeralda feels threatened by men. Misogynistic attitudes in the medieval period meant that women were often mistreated or persecuted by men. Esmeralda is also afraid because she wants to remain sexually pure and is afraid of men’s advances. Purity was associated with virtue and protection from evil in the medieval period.

Phoebus’s involvement in Esmeralda’s rescue is symbolic. Phoebus is the Greek word for sun, and so his actions to protect her reflect Esmeralda’s desire to stay pure and innocent (she is sexually celibate, and celibacy was associated with moral purity and holiness in the medieval period) and to follow the light (which represents goodness, freedom, and God) rather than succumb to the dark forces which pursue her.

Phoebus is the opposite of Quasimodo: he is extremely handsome, while Quasimodo is ugly and deformed. Appearances can be deceiving, however. The idea that Esmeralda is dazzled by Phoebus suggests that she may not be able to see him clearly and that, like everyone, he should not be judged on appearances alone.