Notre-Dame de Paris · Chapter
End of the Story of the Cake explained
La Esmeralda descends from the pillory, taunted by the recluse's voice.
What happens
La Esmeralda descends from the pillory, taunted by the recluse's voice. The crowd dismisses the recluse's outburst as a tantrum. Quasimodo is unbound and the crowd disperses. Mahiette scolds her son Eustache for eating the cake, blaming a dog for the mischief.
Themes in this chapter
Social Injustice and Class
La Esmeralda is publicly taunted and threatened by the recluse, reflecting the persecution of marginalized individuals like the 'Egyptian' (Romani) people.
Motherhood and Loss
Mahiette's scolding of her son Eustache over the cake contrasts with the recluse's bitter, vengeful maternal grief directed at La Esmeralda.
Characters to notice
- La Esmeralda
Turns pale and descends from the pillory, staggering, as the recluse's voice pursues her.
- Quasimodo
Is unbound from the pillory as the hour for his removal arrives.
- Damoiselle Mahiette
Returns with her companions and scolds her son Eustache for eating the cake.
- Demoiselle Oudarde Musnier
Accompanies Mahiette and is addressed by her.
- Sister Gudule
The recluse whose voice pursues La Esmeralda, calling her a 'Thief of Egypt' and predicting she will ascend the pillory again.
Key passages
“La Esmeralda turned pale and descended from the pillory, staggering as she went. The voice of the recluse still pursued her— “Descend! descend! Thief of Egypt! thou shalt ascend it once more!””
La Esmeralda, pale and unsteady, stepped down from the pillory while the recluse's voice followed her, shouting for her to come down and warning that she would be back up there again.
Highlights the recluse's relentless persecution of La Esmeralda.
““The sacked nun is in one of her tantrums,” muttered the populace; and that was the end of it. For that sort of woman was feared; which rendered them sacred.”
The crowd dismissed the recluse's outburst as a fit of temper, since such women were both feared and considered untouchable.
Explains the public's attitude toward the recluse as both fearful and reverent.
““Mother,” said the child, “while you were talking with that lady in the bole, a big dog took a bite of my cake, and then I bit it also.””
The boy explained that a large dog had taken a bite of his cake while his mother was speaking, and then he had eaten the rest.
Reveals the child's excuse for eating the cake, blaming the dog.