History Literature / TheHunchbackOfNotreDame

The novel has inspired [[DerivativeWorks/TheHunchbackOfNotreDame many adaptations]]. Live-action film versions most notably include those of [[Film/TheHunchbackOfNotreDame1923 1923]], [[Film/TheHunchbackOfNotreDame1939 1939]], and [[Film/TheHunchbackOfNotreDame1956 1956]]. Other adaptations include [[Film/TheHunchbackOfNotreDame1982 a 1982 made-for-TV adaptation]], [[WesternAnimation/TheHunchbackOfNotreDameDisney the 1996 Disney animated version]] (which itself got a ScreenToStageAdaptation that was surprisingly accurate to the original novel), and a French-language rock opera called ''Theatre/NotreDameDeParis''.

* TorosYFlamenco: Esmeralda has a Spanish name, in keeping with the romantization of Spanish Gypsy women in 19th century France. Ironically Gypsies first arrived in Spain from France in the 15th century, just decades before the setting of the novel.

* TorosYFlamenco: Esmeralda has a Spanish name, in keeping with the romantization of Spanish Gypsy women in 19th century France. Ironically the first Gypsies arrived in Spain from France in the 15th century.

* AmbiguousGender: At least in some English translations, Djali is referred to with masculine and feminine pronouns, with Esmeralda specifically stating, "''She'' is [her] sister." Gringoire notes that the innocent and naïve Esmeralda does not seem to distinguish between male and female.

%%* BeastAndBeauty: Quasimodo and Esmeralda. Inverted since the love is only one-sided.

* TogetherInDeath: [[spoiler:Quasimodo and Esmeralda. Implied because their skeletons (which are embracing) instantly crumble into dust when excavators try to part them.]]

* DistantFinale: The ending takes place eighteen months later [[spoiler:when a group of surveyors discover two long-rotted corpses TogetherInDeath]].

[[quoteright:222:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/HunchbackNovelCover_1864.jpg]]

** Frollo has no idea how to deal with sexual frustration since he's lived all his life away from the opposite sex.
** Quasimodo struggles with this somewhat too, for similar reasons (hell, Frollo raising him didn't help), but he is able to manage it by sublimating his attraction to Esmeralda into unselfish devotion rather than sexual obsession.

* ShooOutTheClowns:
** [[spoiler:Jehan Frollo]] provided most of the comic relief in an otherwise serious story. His death acts as a gigantic "Bad End Incoming" flag.

LoveInterestVsLustInterest: Esméralda is loved by Quasimodo and lusted after by Quasimodo's benefactor Frollo, creating a deadly conflict between the two men. What's worse, she is oblivious to both of their feelings and instead falls for Captain Phoebus, who only wants her for sex, then abandons her to be hanged for a crime she did not commit (Phoebus is thus an Opportunistic Lust Interest).

The novel has inspired [[Franchise/TheHunchbackOfNotreDame many adaptations]]. Live-action film versions most notably include those of [[Film/TheHunchbackOfNotreDame1923 1923]], [[Film/TheHunchbackOfNotreDame1939 1939]], and [[Film/TheHunchbackOfNotreDame1956 1956]]. Other adaptations include [[Film/TheHunchbackOfNotreDame1982 a 1982 made-for-TV adaptation]], [[WesternAnimation/TheHunchbackOfNotreDameDisney the 1996 Disney animated version]] (which itself got a ScreenToStageAdaptation that was surprisingly accurate to the original novel), and a French-language rock opera called ''Theatre/NotreDameDeParis''.

LoveInterestVsLustInterest: Esméralda is loved by Quasimodo and lusted after by Quasimodo's benefactor Frollo, creating a deadly conflict between the two men. What's worse, she is oblivious to both of their feelings and instead falls for Captain Phoebus, who sleeps with her, then abandons her to be hanged for a crime she did not commit (Phoebus is thus an Opportunistic Lust Interest).

* DoesNotLikeShoes: Esmeralda wears shoes at the beginning of the story but spends its second half (starting from her rescue by Quasimodo) barefoot.

* LukeYouAreMyFather: In the end, Esmeralda realizes that [[spoiler:Gudule, the anchoress]], is her mother. The happiness of reuniting with her does not last: [[spoiler:both are killed shortly thereafter]].

%%* LukeYouAreMyFather: When Esmeralda finds her mother.

* AuthorFilibuster: In book 3, chapter III, the narrator describes at length the architectural development of Paris since the 15th century and how ugly the city has become.

* HistoricalDomainCharacter: King UsefulNotes/LouisXI. Gringoire was also a real person, although he was born circa 1475 and would still have been a child at the time the novel takes place. Other minor characters are based on real-life people: Jacques Coitier, Olivier Le Daim, Robert d’Estouteville...

* HistoricalDomainCharacter: King UsefulNotes/LouisXI. Gringoire was also a real person, although he was born circa 1475 and would still have been a child at the time the novel takes place. Other minor characters are based on real-life people: Jacques Coitier,

%%* ArsonMurderAndJaywalking: At the end [[spoiler: nearly everybody dies]], Phoebus also has a tragic ending. [[spoiler: He gets married]].

%%* AuthorFilibuster: But they're interesting. [[SignatureStyle It's Victor Hugo's M.O.]]

* HistoricalDomainCharacter: King UsefulNotes/LouisXI. Gringoire was also a real person, although he was born circa 1475 and would still have been a child at the time the novel takes place.

%%* HotGypsyWoman: Esmeralda fits the appearance, but not the personality; she's quite innocent and a virgin rather than fiery and worldly. Furthermore, [[spoiler:she was raised by Gypsies but is not one by birth.]]

%%* SinisterMinister: Frollo, but only because [[LoveMakesYouEvil love made him evil]].

--->''"So far as the modern monuments of new Paris are concerned, we would gladly be excused from mentioning them. It is not that we do not admire them as they deserve. The Sainte-Geneviève of M. Soufflot is certainly the finest Savoy cake that has ever been made in stone. The Palace of the Legion of Honor is also a very distinguished bit of pastry. The dome of the wheat market is an English jockey cap, on a grand scale. The towers of Saint-Sulpice are two huge clarinets, and the form is as good as any other; the telegraph, contorted and grimacing, forms an admirable accident upon their roofs. Saint-Roch has a door which, for magnificence, is comparable only to that of Saint-Thomas d'Aquin. It has, also, a crucifixion in high relief, in a cellar, with a sun of gilded wood. These things are fairly marvellous. The lantern of the labyrinth of the Jardin des Plantes is also very ingenious."'' (book 3, chapter II)