The Hunchback of Notre-Dame Ch. 2 Summary

Summary

The crowd hoots Jupiter down. He drops his thunderbolt and stammers, afraid of hanging whether he waits for the cardinal or not. A tall, pale young man in worn black serge steps from behind a pillar, calls him Michel Giborne, and tells him to begin. He will calm the bailiff, who will calm the cardinal. The hall cheers. Speaking with Gisquette la Gencienne and Liénarde, he admits that the piece is his. His name is Pierre Gringoire.

Four figures climb the ladder: Nobility, Clergy, Merchandise, and Labour, paired in marriage and carrying a golden dolphin for the fairest. Gringoire listens in delight until Jehan Frollo spots the beggar Clopin Trouillefou on a cornice and shouts. The prologue stops. Clopin begs, and the students applaud. When Gisquette asks what has already been said, Gringoire turns from her. The play praises the young dauphin until the usher breaks in to announce the Cardinal de Bourbon.

In this chapter: Terms Key Quotes

Why This Matters

A Crowd That Makes a Monster

Stay with the hall, the pillory, and the square that decides a face. The crowd hoots Jupiter down.

Notice the joke the square has already agreed on, then who has to wear it.

Coming Up in Chapter 3

Those few words from the usher strike Pierre Gringoire harder than petards, arquebuses, and all the powder stored at the gate of the Temple.

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Original text

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Chapter 02

Pierre Gringoire

Nevertheless, as he harangued them, the satisfaction and admiration unanimously excited by his costume were dissipated by his words; and when he reached that untoward conclusion: “As soon as his illustrious eminence, the cardinal, arrives, we will begin,” his voice was drowned in a thunder of hooting. “Begin instantly! The mystery! the mystery immediately!” shrieked the people. And above all the voices, that of Johannes de Molendino was audible, piercing the uproar like the fife’s derisive serenade: “Commence instantly!” yelped the scholar. “Down with Jupiter and the Cardinal de Bourbon!” vociferated Robin Poussepain and the other clerks perched in the…

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Critical Thinking Exercise

12 minutes

Practise A Crowd That Makes a Monster

Write six lines on Pierre Gringoire: who looked, who was looked at, and what you would have refused. Keep it to this chapter.

Consider:

•The working skill is A Crowd That Makes a Monster.
•Use only beats from this chapter.
•Name a cost, not the film.

Master this chapter. Complete your experience

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Summary

In this chapter: Terms Key Quotes