French 138
The French Novel on Film
Reading Questions

Victor Hugo: The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Author's Preface
**Be sure to note the meaning of the Greek word Hugo mentions in the preface.

1.  Why does the inscription of this word on the cathedral wall fascinate the author?

Chapter 1
**Note that the novel is set in the middle ages (1482).   The long scene of chapter one presents a Parisian crowd waiting to see a play. 

2.  How does Hugo portray the crowd in this scene?  What are the people like?

Chapters 2-6
3.  The rest of Book I presents some of the principal and secondary characters.  Be prepared to identify:
• Pierre Gringoire
• Joannes (aka Jehan) Frollo
• Clopin Trouillefou
• Guillaime Rym
• Jacques Coppenole

4.  How does Hugo try to make the scene comical?

5.  How is the Pope of Fools chosen? 

6.  How is Quasimodo described?

7.  What finally causes Gringoire to abandon the performance of his play?