Victor Hugo, Notre-Dame de Paris [The Hunchback of Notre Dame]

Laurence M. Porter (Michigan State University)

Ed. by Tim Unwin, University of Bristol
The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.5.2.05: French Writing and Culture: The Nineteenth-Century , 1800-1900.
Vol. editors: David Elwyn Evans (University of St Andrews), Edward Forman (University of Bristol), Elisabeth Gerwin (University of Lethbridge), Nigel Harkness (University of Newcastle upon Tyne), Tim Unwin (University of Bristol), David Williams (University of Sheffield), Jennifer Yee (University of Oxford)

Dates

First circulation or publication 1831

Places

France (Country of Origin)

Genres and Modes

Historical
Novel

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The historical framing plot of

Notre-Dame de Paris

depicts the ambitions of the cruel king of France, Louis XI. Hugo suggests his character—suspicious and sadistic—by showing him prefer an apartment on the top floor of the new Bastille fortress-prison to residence in the Royal Palace. He likes to be near those he torments. But, without his knowing it, his Bastille will be demolished in the Revolution of 1789, and he himself is imprisoned by the unpredictable historical forces that thwart his schemes. Louis hopes to perpetuate his dynasty by marrying his son to a wealthy heiress; to crush the power of the nobility; and to secure his northern border against the English. The English had finally been driven out of France at the end of the Hundred Years’ War (1337-1456), but they still…

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2628 words

Citation: Porter, Laurence M.. "Notre-Dame de Paris". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 22 February 2011; last revised 04 March 2011. [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=11225, accessed 26 November 2024.]

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Victor Hugo, Notre-Dame de Paris [The Hunchback of Notre Dame]

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