The Hunchback of Notre Dame

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

by

Victor Hugo

The Hunchback of Notre Dame: Book 6, Chapter 5 Summary & Analysis

Summary
Analysis
Shocked by the Paquette’s curse, Esmeralda staggers down from the pillory and rushes away. The crowd loses interest and begins to disperse—they will not challenge Paquette because she is believed to be holy. Mahiette, who has been watching, suddenly remembers the cake and asks Eustache what he has done with it. Eustache replies that a dog ate it and his mother lovingly leads him away.
People believe that Paquette is holy because she is a religious recluse. Religious recluses rejected worldly pleasures, which were associated with sin in medieval society, in favor of abstinence and physical deprivation, which were associated with spiritual purity. People thus believe that if they offend Paquette, they may offend God and may be punished for this because God controls their fates.
Themes
Lust, Sin, and Misogyny Theme Icon
Fate and Predestination Theme Icon