"Notre-Dame de Paris," authored by Victor Hugo, is a historical novel set in 15th-century Paris, centered around the iconic cathedral. The narrative intertwines the lives of several characters, notably Quasimodo, the deformed bell-ringer, and Esmeralda, a beautiful Romani woman. Hugo paints a vivid picture of societal issues, emphasizing themes of love, acceptance, and the impacts of social injustice. His depiction of Quasimodo exemplifies the struggle between inner beauty and outer appearances.
The story unfolds with Quasimodo's unrequited love for Esmeralda and the obsessive infatuation of Claude Frollo, the archdeacon, who is torn between his desires and moral values. These complex relationships drive the plot, revealing how passion and despair can lead to tragic outcomes. Hugo's characters are deeply flawed, reflecting the human condition's complexities and the societal constraints of the time.