# V: Quasimodo explained — Notre-Dame de Paris

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

## What happens

The chapter describes the election of the Pope of Fools during the Festival of Fools. Coppenole organizes a grinning match where competitors thrust their heads through a hole in the chapel's rose window. After a series of grotesque faces, Quasimodo appears and wins unanimously due to his naturally deformed features. He is crowned with a cardboard tiara and paraded through the galleries.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Power of the Crowd

The crowd's collective excitement and laughter dominate the hall, overriding Gringoire's play and dictating the election of the Pope of Fools.

### Appearance and Identity

Quasimodo's natural deformity is mistaken for a grimace, highlighting how his physical appearance defines his identity in the eyes of the crowd.

## Character check-ins

### Quasimodo

Elected Pope of Fools for his naturally grotesque face; he is hunchbacked, bandy-legged, one-eyed, and deaf, yet shows proud docility when arrayed in the papal robes.

### Pierre Gringoire

The poet whose play is ignored by the crowd; he attempts to continue his performance but is left with only one spectator, the guardian of the seals.

### Jehan Frollo

Observed atop a pillar during the orgy, shouting with incredible fury; he comments on Quasimodo's deafness and appearance.

### Clopin Trouillefou

Participates in the grinning match but is defeated by Quasimodo's grimace; he confesses himself conquered.

### Master Jacques Coppenole

Organizes the grinning match and applauds Quasimodo's election.

### Guillaume Rym

Notices the cardinal's discomfiture as he retires from the hall.

### Robin Poussepain

Makes remarks about Quasimodo's appearance, calling him a one-eyed man.

## Key lines

> In the twinkling of an eye, all was ready to execute Coppenole’s idea.

Coppenole's plan was put into action almost instantly.

_Describes the swift organization of the grinning match._

> The grimace was his face. Or rather, his whole person was a grimace.

Quasimodo's natural appearance was itself a grotesque spectacle.

_Emphasizes that Quasimodo's deformity is not a performance but his true form._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/notre_dame_de_paris_se/chapters/v-quasimodo
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/notre_dame_de_paris_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/notre_dame_de_paris_se/chapters