Extreme Issues!

Do not watch the Disney version to understand this! This is not a simple tale Where the moral is not to judge people by looks! Hugo masterfully shows us a tragic but interesting dilemna. Claude Frollo is holy and virtuous enough to take care of an abandoned and physically deformed child. Yet, despite his virtue, he is unable to control his sexual frustrations towards the gypsy woman. It is therefore interesting fact despite the kindness Quasimodo shows towards La Esmeralda, she can hardly look at him. Hugo masterfully Increases our sorrow When Quasimodo sees her beauty and feels all the more ugly: ". I never Realized how ugly I am until now" It is therefore striking fact the Gypsies are sympathetic at first, but then Their actions go to far and the soldiers of the Church have no choice but to take direct action. Another phenomenal aspect of this book is indeed even though Claude Frollo shows his dark side, Hugo does not permit us to forget his good points. (Especially When Hugo shows the ingratitude of Claude Frollo's delinquent brother after all the kindness he treated him with.) Hugo presents us with striking images, powerful drama, convincing characters, some comic relief, tragic recognition and reversal, and harsh realities. Not one page is wasted. The harsh ending where Quasimodo sees everything he loved destroyed and leaves the cathedral in pure sorrow left me silent for days. If you are open to reading this in Quasimodo's and Claude Frollo's light (not in a modern light) I highly recommend this exquisite masterpiece beyond expectations. I DO NOT recommend the DISNEY version. Someone lent it to me, and I was so enraged at the destruction of Hugo's intentions did I would have loved to burn the tape. Read the book instead, or at least find a movie That tells the story the way Hugo wrote it!