Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Hunchback of Notre Dame, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Gothic Architecture, History, and Art
Lust, Sin, and Misogyny
Appearances, Alienation, and Hypocrisy
Fate and Predestination
The Supernatural, Rationalism, and Knowledge
Justice, Punishment, and Freedom
Summary
Analysis
The “fool’s pope” procession follows Quasimodo from the hall. Gringoire thinks that perhaps now those left in the audience will enjoy his play. However, the procession pretty much empties the hall and only a few stragglers remain. One of the students in the window looks out into the square and suddenly shouts, “La Esmeralda!” The remaining people in the hall dash out when they hear this and Gringoire despairs. He storms out of the hall and wonders bitterly what “La Esmeralda” means.
The “fool’s pope” procession is clearly very popular with the Parisians. Their rejection of Gringoire’s play—which has been commissioned by the nobility—suggests that, when the people are free to choose, they know what they want and are able to use the strength of their numbers to get their own way.
Themes
