Notre-Dame de Paris · Chapter
The Dog and His Master explained
This chapter explores the profound bond between Quasimodo and Claude Frollo, detailing how Frollo adopted, raised, and educated the bellringer, and how Quasimodo's gratitude and devotion to Frollo are absolute, second only to his love for N
What happens
This chapter explores the profound bond between Quasimodo and Claude Frollo, detailing how Frollo adopted, raised, and educated the bellringer, and how Quasimodo's gratitude and devotion to Frollo are absolute, second only to his love for Notre-Dame.
Themes in this chapter
Obsession and Destructive Love
Quasimodo's love for Claude Frollo is all-consuming and unconditional, bordering on obsession, as he would sacrifice himself entirely for the archdeacon's will.
Appearance and Identity
Quasimodo's physical deformity and deafness isolate him from society, but his identity is defined by his devotion to Frollo and Notre-Dame, the only two things he sympathizes with.
Characters to notice
- Quasimodo
Quasimodo is depicted as deeply loyal and grateful to Claude Frollo, his adoptive father, whom he loves almost as much as his cathedral. His devotion is so complete that he would obey any command without question.
- Dom Claude Frollo
Claude Frollo is the sole human Quasimodo excepts from his general malice. He adopted, nourished, and educated Quasimodo, and now holds absolute authority over him, communicating through a private sign language.
Key passages
“Nevertheless, there was one human creature whom Quasimodo excepted from his malice and from his hatred for others, and whom he loved even more, perhaps, than his cathedral: this was Claude Frollo.”
Despite his general hostility, Quasimodo made an exception for Claude Frollo, loving him perhaps even more than his beloved cathedral.
Establishes the central relationship of the chapter.
“When a little lad, it was between Claude Frollo’s legs that he was accustomed to seek refuge, when the dogs and the children barked after him.”
As a child, Quasimodo would hide between Frollo's legs for protection from taunting dogs and children.
Illustrates Quasimodo's early dependence on Frollo.
“He was in sympathy with but two things in this world: Notre-Dame and Claude Frollo.”
Quasimodo felt a connection to only two things in life: the cathedral and Claude Frollo.
Summarizes Quasimodo's limited emotional world.
“A sign from Claude and the idea of giving him pleasure would have sufficed to make Quasimodo hurl himself headlong from the summit of Notre-Dame.”
A mere gesture from Frollo, or the thought of pleasing him, would have been enough to make Quasimodo jump from the top of Notre-Dame.
Highlights the extreme, unquestioning devotion of Quasimodo.