The Hunchback of Notre Dame: Book 3, Chapter 1 Summary & Analysis

Hugo argues that Gothic architecture has been neglected because, since the end of the medieval period, architects and members of the public have failed to appreciate its beauty. Instead, post-medieval society tends to prefer neat, balanced architecture (in the Neo-classicist style, which prioritized harmony of shape over decoration or exaggeration) and considers the Gothic, with its extreme heights and grotesque facades, a vulgar and ugly art form. Hugo suggests that this is untrue, however, and that Gothic designs are just as harmonious and beautiful as Neo-classicist ones.

Hugo compares Notre Dame to the Iliad and the Romanceros because these literary works do not have only one author but rather were contributed to by many members of society. The Iliad, written by Homer in Ancient Greece, is based on popular myths, which were developed collectively by many individuals. Similarly, the Romanceros is a collection of French romances, rather than the work of just one author. In this way they are like buildings, which may be designed by one person but are built by many.

After the medieval period, when European society entered the Renaissance and then the Enlightenment, Gothic architecture was considered ugly and unbalanced because it showcased a variety of grotesque figures and pointed shapes, rather than only classically beautiful ones. This lack of care for Gothic architecture is demonstrated through the damage done to the cathedral. Hugo suggests that modern, classical styles are “insipid” compared to the Gothic because Gothic architecture reflects the reality of life, which is often cruel and ugly as well as picturesque and beautiful.

Hugo suggests that modern architects show no regard for the history of Gothic buildings and, instead, carelessly knock them down. Instead of trying to learn from these buildings or appreciate them aesthetically, modern architects are shallowly obsessed with fashion, appearances, and “good taste,” which in the 19th century favored picturesque, Neo-classicist styles over exaggerated Gothic ones. Although, Hugo suggests, political revolutions have improved society, disregard for the architecture of previous societies shows that people in the 19th century are not as knowledgeable or civilized as they may imagine.

Hugo suggests that the Gothic architectural style of Notre Dame shows how European society developed in the early medieval period. From studying the design of the cathedral, one can see that society changed and went from imitating Roman styles to the more expressive and individualistic Gothic style. This suggests that, as medieval society progressed, people became more interested in the individual, rather than in collective ideas. In turn, this shift this paved the way towards modern, Enlightenment ideas such as psychology or individual human rights, which existed in the 19th century when Hugo was writing. Architecture, therefore, is an asset to historical knowledge, as it shows how society thought and expressed itself across different periods. The gradual changes to the cathedral symbolize the growth and development of western society.

Architecture can be read like a history book, Hugo implies, and it can be used to see how a society changed and developed over time. Compared with books, however (which generally just have one author and show one perspective), buildings show the ideas and perspective of a whole society because there are so many different skills and types of people needed to build something as complex as a cathedral. Buildings are the natural products of society, just as plants are the natural products of their environments, because humans shape their environments to suit their needs.

Hugo suggests that humanity would not know as much about its own history if it could not look at the architecture of different societies and observe how it changed over time. Developments in knowledge and culture are visible in the buildings produced by these societies and, in this sense, architecture can be read like a history book to gain knowledge.

The appearance of buildings comes second to their function. Churches, for example, can be built in many elaborate styles, but their function is always as a place of worship. This suggests that, with buildings as well as people, it is what is inside that really counts.