# Endnotes explained — Notre-Dame de Paris

> Chapter companion for Notre-Dame de Paris by Victor Hugo.

## What happens

This chapter consists of endnotes providing translations, explanations, and historical references for terms and phrases used throughout the book, including notes on Gothic architecture, old French coins, legal and religious terms, and various cultural allusions.

## Themes in this chapter

### Architecture and Preservation

The endnotes discuss the definition and characteristics of Gothic architecture, the round arch versus the ogive, and express concern over the potential destruction of historical buildings like the Tuileries.

## Key lines

> The word Gothic, in the sense in which it is generally employed, is wholly unsuitable, but wholly consecrated. Hence we accept it and we adopt it, like all the rest of the world, to characterize the architecture of the second half of the Middle Ages, where the ogive is the principle which succeeds the architecture of the first period, of which the semicircle is the father.

Although the term 'Gothic' is technically inaccurate, it is widely accepted and used to describe the architecture of the later Middle Ages, which features pointed arches, following the earlier style based on round arches.

_Explains the conventional use of the term 'Gothic' for medieval architecture._

> We have seen with sorrow mingled with indignation, that it is the intention to increase, to recast, to make over, that is to say, to destroy this admirable palace. The architects of our day have too heavy a hand to touch these delicate works of the Renaissance. We still cherish a hope that they will not dare. Moreover, this demolition of the Tuileries now, would be not only a brutal deed of violence, which would make a drunken vandal blush—it would be an act of treason.

The author expresses outrage at plans to renovate or demolish the Tuileries Palace, calling such an act a violent and traitorous destruction of a Renaissance masterpiece and a historical monument.

_A passionate plea for the preservation of the Tuileries Palace, linking it to national history._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/notre_dame_de_paris_se/chapters/endnotes
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