# III: Kisses for Blows explained — Notre-Dame de Paris

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

## What happens

Gringoire arrives at the Place de Grève, wet and frustrated, and observes a crowd gathered around a bonfire. A young girl dances in the open space, captivating the audience with her movements. Gringoire initially mistakes her for a supernatural being but realizes she is a gypsy when a copper piece falls from her hair. Among the spectators, a somber, bald man watches her intently. Meanwhile, the procession of the Pope of the Fools reaches the square, with Quasimodo at its center, experiencing pride and joy for the first time. Suddenly, Dom Claude Frollo confronts Quasimodo, stripping him of his papal regalia. Quasimodo submits, following Frollo away, and the crowd disperses in fear.

## Themes in this chapter

### Appearance and Identity

Quasimodo's grotesque appearance is contrasted with his momentary pride as Pope of the Fools; the gypsy girl's beauty captivates the crowd, while her true identity is revealed by a fallen copper piece.

### The Power of the Crowd

The crowd's acclamations elevate Quasimodo, but their fear also isolates him; the procession and the dancer's audience demonstrate the crowd's influence and fickleness.

### Religion and Hypocrisy

Claude Frollo, an archdeacon, interrupts the pagan-like festival with authority, yet his own obsessive gaze at the dancer hints at hypocrisy.

## Character check-ins

### Pierre Gringoire

Arrives on the Place de Grève, wet and complaining about the bishop's mills; observes the dancing girl and the procession.

### La Esmeralda

Dances in the Place de Grève, captivating the crowd with her beauty and skill; identified as a gypsy when a copper piece falls from her hair.

### Quasimodo

Paraded as the Pope of the Fools, experiencing pride and joy; confronted and humbled by Claude Frollo, whom he follows obediently.

### Dom Claude Frollo

Observes the dancer with a somber, intense gaze; steps forward to strip Quasimodo of his papal regalia and leads him away.

### Guillaume Rousseau

Emperor of the Empire of Galilee, marches in the procession with his retinue.

## Key lines

> It was the first enjoyment of self-love that he had ever experienced. Down to that day, he had known only humiliation, disdain for his condition, disgust for his person.

For the first time in his life, Quasimodo felt pride in himself, having previously known only shame and self-loathing.

_Highlights Quasimodo's rare moment of joy during the procession._

> She danced, she turned, she whirled rapidly about on an old Persian rug, spread negligently under her feet; and each time that her radiant face passed before you, as she whirled, her great black eyes darted a flash of lightning at you.

The girl danced and spun swiftly on a worn rug, her bright face and dark eyes flashing like lightning as she moved.

_Describes Esmeralda's captivating dance performance._

> The priest tore off his tiara, broke his crozier, and rent his tinsel cope. Quasimodo remained on his knees, with head bent and hands clasped.

Frollo ripped away Quasimodo's papal crown, staff, and robe, while Quasimodo knelt submissively.

_Illustrates Frollo's dominance and Quasimodo's obedience._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/notre_dame_de_paris_se/chapters/iii-kisses-for-blows
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/notre_dame_de_paris_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/notre_dame_de_paris_se/chapters