The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Characters:
Quasimodo: A deformed son of a gypsy raised by Frollo, becomes the hero of the story freeing the people of France from their ignorance
Frollo: The minister of justice who persecutes the gypsies and oppresses the people of Paris.
Esmeralda: The captivating gypsy who is a protector of Quasimodo. Possibly a sister, as she is seen as a caretaker and Quasimodo’s mother was a gypsy.
Captain Phoebus: The police Captain in Paris, hired by Frollo to hunt the gypsies but falls for Esmeralda.
Quasimodo is the hunchback of Notre Dame. He has never left the bell tower in his entire life. This Disney film is unlike any other, it does not focus on a prince and princess, rather it tells the story of genocide and the bravery of those who fight against it. Claude Frollo is a corrupted minister of justice who has begun a genocide of the gypsies of Paris. The Hunchback of Notre Dame is the first experience many children have with the persecution of a people, and Disney quickly associates these actions with a recognizable evil . It also was the first story where the hero was not a prince or a beautiful young man, although Disney could not help but have one knight, Quasimodo the deformed outcast was a hero. This film began my transition out of childhood. This film is unlike any other Disney film. Although Esmeralda, the gypsy, can assume the role of a princess while Captain Phoebus can assume the role of a prince they are the minor characters compared to Quasimodo and his great odyssey. The Hunchback of Notre Dame was my favorite movie growing up, although Quasimodo scared my sister I knew it was very different story than any other. As I grow older each time I watch its as if the story has been written again, and I am the first to see the new version.
Disney conditions the children watching The Hunchback of Notre Dame to immediately recognize Frollo, and all oppressors as evil. This film has a priceless moral lesson to be learned. It shows the people of Paris rising up to fight the corruption of their justice system. The role of Captain Phoebus is only significant because of his true lack of depth. It is very interesting Captain Phoebus is a minimal character, and that the plot would not be hurt by removing his part all together. Disney focuses instead on a powerful female role. Esmeralda is portrayed as strong and independent without him, and even with him she does not rely on him. This is one of the only Disney movies that has the “prince” with such a minor role. Not only was this film an important shaper in the new generation but it began a life long learning of past human atrocities.
I would recommend this film to almost anyone. Although the main plot of the movie is sugar coated with a romantic role, the city of France and Frollo offer interesting twists with complicated moral standing. Frollo is often depicted with the church, and it is intriguing to see Frollo as an evil character contrasted by the holiness and grandeur of Notre Dame. This movie is entertaining to children as young as 3 yet I find I enjoy it more and more as I grow older. Disney plays an essential role in many children's lives, this movie provides more depth and even a lesson in ethics.
Characters:
Quasimodo: A deformed son of a gypsy raised by Frollo, becomes the hero of the story freeing the people of France from their ignorance
Frollo: The minister of justice who persecutes the gypsies and oppresses the people of Paris.
Esmeralda: The captivating gypsy who is a protector of Quasimodo. Possibly a sister, as she is seen as a caretaker and Quasimodo’s mother was a gypsy.
Captain Phoebus: The police Captain in Paris, hired by Frollo to hunt the gypsies but falls for Esmeralda.
Quasimodo is the hunchback of Notre Dame. He has never left the bell tower in his entire life. This Disney film is unlike any other, it does not focus on a prince and princess, rather it tells the story of genocide and the bravery of those who fight against it. Claude Frollo is a corrupted minister of justice who has begun a genocide of the gypsies of Paris. The Hunchback of Notre Dame is the first experience many children have with the persecution of a people, and Disney quickly associates these actions with a recognizable evil . It also was the first story where the hero was not a prince or a beautiful young man, although Disney could not help but have one knight, Quasimodo the deformed outcast was a hero. This film began my transition out of childhood. This film is unlike any other Disney film. Although Esmeralda, the gypsy, can assume the role of a princess while Captain Phoebus can assume the role of a prince they are the minor characters compared to Quasimodo and his great odyssey. The Hunchback of Notre Dame was my favorite movie growing up, although Quasimodo scared my sister I knew it was very different story than any other. As I grow older each time I watch its as if the story has been written again, and I am the first to see the new version.
Disney conditions the children watching The Hunchback of Notre Dame to immediately recognize Frollo, and all oppressors as evil. This film has a priceless moral lesson to be learned. It shows the people of Paris rising up to fight the corruption of their justice system. The role of Captain Phoebus is only significant because of his true lack of depth. It is very interesting Captain Phoebus is a minimal character, and that the plot would not be hurt by removing his part all together. Disney focuses instead on a powerful female role. Esmeralda is portrayed as strong and independent without him, and even with him she does not rely on him. This is one of the only Disney movies that has the “prince” with such a minor role. Not only was this film an important shaper in the new generation but it began a life long learning of past human atrocities.
I would recommend this film to almost anyone. Although the main plot of the movie is sugar coated with a romantic role, the city of France and Frollo offer interesting twists with complicated moral standing. Frollo is often depicted with the church, and it is intriguing to see Frollo as an evil character contrasted by the holiness and grandeur of Notre Dame. This movie is entertaining to children as young as 3 yet I find I enjoy it more and more as I grow older. Disney plays an essential role in many children's lives, this movie provides more depth and even a lesson in ethics.