Notre-Dame de Paris · Chapter
II: Hunchbacked, One-Eyed, Lame explained
Quasimodo rescues Esmeralda from execution and brings her to the sanctuary of Notre-Dame.
What happens
Quasimodo rescues Esmeralda from execution and brings her to the sanctuary of Notre-Dame. He provides her with clothing, food, and a bed, and instructs her to remain within the church for safety. Esmeralda, recovering from her ordeal, is reunited with her goat Djali and weeps, finding some relief. The chapter also explains the medieval right of asylum, describing how churches offered refuge from justice, and details the cell where Esmeralda is hidden.
Themes in this chapter
Architecture and Preservation
The chapter describes the cell of refuge at Notre-Dame, the flying buttresses, and the medieval practice of asylum as embedded in the physical and legal architecture of the city.
Social Injustice and Class
Esmeralda, a poor gypsy foundling condemned to death, is contrasted with the barbarous penal system; the asylum system itself is presented as an imperfect correction to the abuse of punishment.
Appearance and Identity
Quasimodo's ugliness terrifies Esmeralda, yet his actions are gentle; she is struck by the contrast between his monstrous appearance and his soft voice and kindness.
Motherhood and Loss
Esmeralda reflects on her isolation as a foundling without country, family, or home, highlighting her loss and lack of maternal care.
Characters to notice
- Quasimodo
Rescues Esmeralda, carries her to the cell of refuge, provides her with clothing, food, and a mattress, and warns her not to leave the church.
- La Esmeralda
Recovers from her swoon in the sanctuary, feels gratitude and terror toward Quasimodo, dresses in the novice's robe, and is reunited with Djali, weeping for her grief.
- Djali
The agile goat escapes after Esmeralda and lavishes caresses on her, prompting her to weep and feel comfort.
- Captain Phoebus de Châteaupers
Mentioned in Esmeralda's thoughts as alive but no longer loving her.
- Master Jacques Charmolue
His brigade is put to flight by Quasimodo during the rescue.
Key passages
“But when the bellringer, dishevelled and panting, had deposited her in the cell of refuge, when she felt his huge hands gently detaching the cord which bruised her arms, she felt that sort of shock which awakens with a start the passengers of a vessel which runs aground in the middle of a dark night.”
When Quasimodo set her down in the sanctuary and gently untied the rope hurting her arms, Esmeralda felt a sudden jolt like a ship hitting ground in the dark.
Describes Esmeralda's return to awareness after her rescue.
“He spread the mattress on the flagging and said, “Sleep.” It was his own repast, it was his own bed, which the bellringer had gone in search of.”
Quasimodo laid the mattress on the stone floor and told her to sleep, having brought his own food and bed for her.
Shows Quasimodo's selfless care for Esmeralda.
“Every city during the Middle Ages, and every city in France down to the time of Louis XII had its places of asylum. These sanctuaries, in the midst of the deluge of penal and barbarous jurisdictions which inundated the city, were a species of islands which rose above the level of human justice.”
Medieval French cities had sanctuaries that stood like islands above the harsh flood of penal law, offering refuge from execution.
Explains the historical context of the right of asylum.