# Continuation of the Crown Which Was Changed Into a Dry Leaf explained — Notre-Dame de Paris

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

## What happens

La Esmeralda is subjected to torture in the Question Chamber to force a confession. Despite her initial denial, the pain of the boot breaks her will, and she falsely confesses to witchcraft, dealings with the devil, and the murder of Captain Phoebus de Châteaupers. Jacques Charmolue oversees the proceedings with feigned gentleness, while Pierrat Torterue executes the torture.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Injustice and Class

Esmeralda, a poor gypsy, is brutally tortured by the powerful judicial system, highlighting the class-based cruelty of the era.

### Religion and Hypocrisy

Jacques Charmolue, a representative of the Church, uses gentle words while overseeing horrific torture, exposing religious hypocrisy.

## Character check-ins

### La Esmeralda

Subjected to torture, she falsely confesses to witchcraft and murder after her will is broken by the boot.

### Master Jacques Charmolue

The procurator of the ecclesiastical court who interrogates Esmeralda with a deceptive sweetness and orders the torture.

### Master Pierrat Torterue

The official torturer who oversees the application of the boot and expresses a grim sense of pity.

### Captain Phoebus de Châteaupers

Mentioned as the victim of the alleged murder; Esmeralda cries out his name in her agony.

## Key lines

> The unfortunate girl felt herself so utterly abandoned by God and men, that her head fell upon her breast like an inert thing which has no power in itself.

Esmeralda felt completely forsaken by both divine and human aid, and her head dropped lifelessly to her chest.

_Describes her despair before the torture begins._

> She raised her large, staring eyes to the magistrate, and replied, as though mechanically, without convulsion or agitation— 'Yes.'

She looked up at the judge with wide, vacant eyes and answered 'Yes' in a mechanical, emotionless tone.

_Shows her broken spirit after confessing to the murder._

## Links

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