The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Most Memorable Journal
My
most memorable moment happened in chapter 16 as Quasimodo’s life changed. At
this point in the novel we learned more about fifteenth century Paris society,
we start hearing about the life of Quasimodo thus far.
A
custom in fifteenth century Paris was for churches to display orphaned babies
for the purpose of charity. Sometimes these orphaned children would be adopted
and given homes. One Sunday in 1467, one such orphan was presented to the
people. The baby was deformed and so ugly that many of the woman called such
child a demon. Some of the suggested that he should be drowned or burned. A
young priest named Claude Frollo declared that he would adopt the deformed
baby. The astonished crowd wondered whether Frollo was a sorcerer rather that a
priest.
In
this chapter, the story of Quasimodo’s adoption by Frollo is revealed. Born
deformed and horribly ugly, Quasimodo is abandoned as an infant. Taken in by
the church, he is presented for adoption. The women, who are horrified by his
appearance call him a demon child and want nothing to do with him. Frollo, the
young priest decides he will adopt the deformed infant, the amazement of
everyone.
I
feel that this part in my section was the most memorable because Frollo does
what is right. Frollo was my favorite character in the novel at this point
because of the kind actions he shows to Quasimodo by adopting him because
people don’t want him in society. Some people in the society like the women
have harsh criticism for his appearance as they feel he looks like the demon
and he should be burned or drowned. Quasimodo felt sad every day because of
society’s harsh criticism for his hideous appearance. Frollo was the only one
who was willing to accept him in his house. This part of the book relates to
the novel study we’re doing in school, Flowers for Algernon. Charlie is
ostracized from society and Quasimodo has the same feeling where Charlie is
accepted by Ms. Kinnian, his dad, and Mr. Donner. Quasimodo was only accepted
by Frollo and everyone else removed him from society from his appearance. This
novel strongly relates to Flowers for Algernon in the context of the main
character being ostracized for either appearance or intelligence. This part in
the novel when Frollo takes in Quasimodo to be his adopted son would be the
most touching moment of the novel.
In
conclusion, the most memorable part in my section would be when Quasimodo gets
adopted by Frollo. This is a really touching moment and strongly relates to our
novel study, the main idea of acceptance in society.
