Similarites Between "The Hunchback Of Notre Dame" and "Les Miserables"

1254 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Look down les miserables musical analysis

Victor Hugo uses themes that reoccur in both The Hunchback Of Notre Dame and Les Miserables. He clearly states the plights of the century and the great eternal questions that humans have the desire to know but do not have the courage to ask. In Hugo’s novels, modern readers will be enthralled with the larger than life characters and their incessant battle with evil. The two novels have more similarities than differences. They include paradox and irony, a romantic tone, obsession and betrayal as themes, and last they both involve a great deal of imagery and emphasis on characterization and setting.

Underneath the daring love that is unfolding between Quasimodo and Esmeralda, the historical tragedies of 1492 are being unwound. Hugo is illuminating the political struggles of the nineteenth century. The novel is spiritual, not only in its setting but also in the characters. Upon developing the characters, Hugo uses paradox to induce their unfortunate flaws. For example, Quasimodo. He represents the grotesque and the beautiful. He is shunned from society and must find comfort not from the insignificant material world but from deep within himself. Claude Frolllo displays evil propensities regardless of the fact that he is a priest and is supposed to be devout to God. The priest has lost his sacred faith in the pathway towards the evil that Hugo expected of humanity. Esmeralda is the beautiful and magical that good and evil are drawn to. She is pure innocence, and searches for a sort of “spiritual love” in the wrong places. Each and every one of the characters show us just how far we will go to “win”, also displaying the similarities the beautiful and ugly hold.

In Les Miserables, Hugo writes of the three problems of the age, the dil...

... middle of paper ...

...renaissance architecture was viewed as grotesque and vulgar were now revered for their preservation.

Hugo uses the time period as an image in both novels. “The French revolution was turmoil in political, economic, and social traditions. It was the age that observed the first conversions from the industrial revolution. The French revolution brought on the core of romanticism, which is a key point in both novels.

Today, The Hunchback of Notre Dame is a standard classic that has been adapted for cinema and television. The character of Quasimodo has become a classic horror figure, although the real horror figure is Frollo.

Les Miserables, today is looked upon as one of the greatest poems ever accomplished. The characters all are given a spot in the “hall of fame” of great literary works. Les Miserables has been modified for cinema, television, and musical stage.

Show More
Related

  • Hunchback Of Notre Damn Historical Analysis

    1172 Words  | 3 Pages

    Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Damn is an animated film based upon Victor Hugo’s novel of the same name. The main characters Quasimodo, the hunchback who lives in the bell tower of Notre Damn, Esmeralda, the gypsie girl, Claude Frollo, the cruel Archdeacon of Notre Damn, and Captain Phoebus, the antagonist who defies Frollos’ orders, are all representative of the social classes and turmoil that occurred throughout the early 19th century in France. The original novel was written during the July 1830 Revolution, with strong influences from Hugo’s personal beliefs in social and political equality for all people as well as his opposition to the monarchy that begun after Napoleon Bonaparte’s defeat at Waterloo. This film is accurate in the sense that it shows the class struggle of the time in a way that both honors the novel and its historical context but is also appropriate for its younger

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Isabel Allende's Of Love And Shadows

    145 Words  | 1 Pages

    Major turning points in history such as the overthrow of a country’s government, political violence, guerrilla movements and civil wars, bloody revolutions, brutal dictatorships, domestic violence, criminal violence, physical and sexual abuse and psychological damage are all well known throughout history and they serve as a common theme in literary works of the time period. This is especially true of Isabel Allende, in which the true event of the overthrowing of the Chilean government by the military is an important aspect of the plot in her novels. The aim of the paper is to analyse Isabel Allende’s Of Love and Shadows as a story reading in between the shadows of violence and the gentleness of love by mixing politics and love and demonstrating

    Read More

  • Rise Above the Misery in Les Misérables by Victor Hugo

    1757 Words  | 4 Pages

    As the era of literature slowly declines, the expert critiques and praise for literature are lost. Previously, novels were bursting at the seams with metaphors, symbolism, and themes. In current times, “novels” are simply short stories that have been elaborated on with basic plot elements that attempt to make the story more interesting. Instead of having expert critical analysis written about them, they will, most likely, never see that, as recent novels have nothing to analyze. Even books are beginning to collect dust, hidden away and forgotten, attributing to the rise of companies such as Spark Notes. An author deserves to have his work praised, no matter how meager and the masses should have the right to embrace it or to reject it. As much of this has already been considered, concerning Les Misérables, the purpose of this paper is to compare, contrast, and evaluate Victor Hugo’s use of themes and characterization in his novel, Les Misérables.

    Read More

  • Les Miserables Connections to Charity

    2201 Words  | 5 Pages

    Hugo, Victor. Les Miserables. Comp. Lee Fahnestock and Norman MacAfee. Trans. Wilbour, C.E. Only Complete and Unabridged Paperback Editon ed. New York, New York: Signet Classics, 1987. Print.

    Read More

  • Gender Roles In Reyna Grande's Across A Hundred Mountains

    1693 Words  | 4 Pages

    Grande introduces to the audience various characters that cross Juana 's path to either alter or assist her on her journey to find her father. Through those individuals, Grande offers a strong comparison of female characters who follow the norms, versus those that challenge gender roles that

    Read More

  • the count of monte cristo

    665 Words  | 2 Pages

    "The Count of Monte Cristo" is a movie that has piracy, Napoleon in exile, betrayal, prison, secret messages, escape tunnels, comic relief, a treasure map, and sweet revenge, and brings it in at under two hours, with performances by good actors who are well known in the acting community. Jim Caviezel stars, as Edmund Dantes, a very poor second mate on a supply ship owned by his best friend, Fernand Mondego (played by Guy Pearce) and his family. This film is based in France during 1815 before Napoleon returns from exile to invade Europe. This Action, Adventure, and Drama film will keep you on the edge of your seats as you go through all the mixed emotions of Edmund Dantes. The film is directed by Kevin Reynolds who has also directed movies such as Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Waterworld and most recently on the History Channel, Hatfields and McCoys. It’s strange with this director that we don’t see Kevin Costner in this film, but I’m glad they kept him out. Jim Caviezel does a great job with his role.

    Read More

  • The American and French Revolutions

    2786 Words  | 6 Pages

    These two revolutions occurred relatively at same period, but were almost complete mirror reflections of one another. The patriots of the revolution in America did not really even wanted a revolution, but had no choice, which made it peaceful aside from the war. The revolutionists in France seemed almost bloodthirsty and were very quick to kill someone for any injustice. The groups of revolutionists were too radical in that they were not willing to compromise. Compromise makes the difference between a peaceful state and a reign of terror.

    Read More

  • Heartlessness in the Face of Humanity

    877 Words  | 2 Pages

    The French Revolution is a war between the peasants and the aristocrats. A Tale of Two Cities is by Charles Dickens and is set in England and France from 1775-1793. The French Revolution is starting to come about because the French peasants are trying to model their revolution after the American Revolution. King Louis XVI of France supported the colonists in the American Revolution; therefore, it is ironic that he does not help the poor, distressed, and oppressed peasants in France. The peasants are trying to rise against the oppressive aristocrats because the rich are unfeeling and mean towards the poor serfs. In A Tale of Two Cities, the symbols help represent the theme of man’s inhumanity toward his fellow man because the symbol of the scarecrows and birds of fine song and feather is helpful in understanding the differences between the poor and the rich, the Gorgon’s head is meaningful because it shows that change needs to occur, and the knitting is insightful because one learns that evil can come out of good intentions.

    Read More

  • Comparing The French Revolution and The American Revolution

    1400 Words  | 3 Pages

    The American and French Revolutions took place between 1775 and 1789. Though they were closely related chronologically, the two revolutions were interrelated in several other important ways than just time itself.

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Valjean And Fantine

    305 Words  | 1 Pages

    Hugo’s social commentary focuses on three main concepts that he believes must be reformed in the French society: criminal justice, education and the treatment of women. By showing the unreasonable punishments both Valjean and Fantine shows how the social structure has turned innocent and good people into criminals.

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast The Haitian Revolution And French Revolution

    1077 Words  | 3 Pages

    The late 18th century and early 19th century was a prominent time period in which the French Revolution and Haitian revolution occurred. Both revolutions were connected to each other such that they shared similar causes and consequences. Together, France and Haiti were angered by the inequality and unfair privileges that continued to appear in their societies. At the same time, they were inspired and hopeful of bringing the Enlightenment ideas into reality. Although they were able to accomplish most of what they fought for, such as the abolition of slavery, they still took part in bloody revolutions.

    Read More

  • Comparing the French Revolution and the American Revolution

    854 Words  | 2 Pages

    The American and French revolutions compare and contrast in many ways. The ideas of starting wars and liberating the people lead to new governments and success in economy. The ideas of the Enlightenment philosophers interested the people of America and France to upgrade their lifestyles. Every aspect of life from religion to capitalist economy led to the sparks of these revolutions and the differences of the two made them so significant.

    Read More

  • The Fortune Teller, by Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis

    1141 Words  | 3 Pages

    In “The Fortune Teller,” a strange letter trembles the heart of the story’s protagonist, Camillo as he to understand the tone and meaning. The author, Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis, attempts to make the reader believe that the letter is very ambiguous. This devious letter is a symbol of Camillo’s inability to realize that the treacherous deeds he has committed in the dark have finally come to light. This letter will ultimately change his life forever something he never expected. Not thinking of the large multitude of possible adverse outcomes, he reads the letter. Frightened that he has ruined what should have never been started, he broods over his decision to love a married woman. In light of this, Camillo continues his dubious love affair with his best friend’s wife, unconvinced that he will ever get caught. “The Fortune Teller” focuses on an intimate affair between three people that ends in death due to a letter, and Camillo will not understand what the true consequences that the letter entails until he is face to face with his best friend, Villela.

    Read More

  • Symbolism in Fuentes' Aura

    1728 Words  | 4 Pages

    ...book. These symbols and recurrences are not coincidental or superficial, but upon investigation, give deeper insight into how deeply the mindset of our main character was affected. We now know that Felipe had almost no choice and was lulled into this household. Then there is a plausible explanation about the true relationship between Aura and Senora Consuelo. This book turns out to be a very strange life/death cycle that still leaves questions that need to be answered.

    Read More

  • Analysis of Dona Barbara

    746 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...e role of women but also keep alive the struggle between civilization and barbarism during the begging of the oil era and the political criticism to Venezuela’s president Juan Vicente Gomes (1857 – 1935) regime. Romulo and De Fuentes used themes such as Mr. Danger, Coronel Pernalete and Doña Barbara to describe his presidency. Coronel Pernalete, and specifically the scene of dotting the H to have them sound makes reference to Gomez illiteracy; a man who rose to power due to his ample knowledge of military strategies. Doña Barbara and Mr. Danger represent Gomes mismanage of the country; on one side, Mr. Danger serves as an example of the US domination in Latin America while Dona Barbara on the other makes reference to his violent way of governing and the fact that, during his presidency, a significant percent of Venezuela’s wealth ended up on his hand and Wall Street.

    Read More

More about Similarites Between "The Hunchback Of Notre Dame" and "Les Miserables"

Open Document