Man or Monster
Man or Monster
According to Wikipedia, “The English idiom [don’t judge a book by its cover] is a metaphorical phrase which means you shouldn’t prejudge the worth of someone or something, by its outward appearance alone” (Don’t judge a book by its cover 1). Just like an old ragged book that one turns the pages to reveal the knowledge or characters within, the same goes for people. It is what is within the person that counts. In “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” Clopin, a gypsy, introduces the story as, “It’s a tale, a tale of a man and a monster” (Scripps). Prejudgment of a person can lead to false identity as seen in the characters of Quasimodo and Frollo. Although Quasi appears as a deformed monster, he is really a caring man. Quasimodo, whose name means half-formed, was born with many deformities. He is portrayed as a red head, pale skinned monster with a hunchback. Frollo tells the archdeacon, “This is an unholy demon. I 'm sending it back to hell, where it belongs” (Scripps). Frollo killed Quasi’s mother and the archdeacon made him feel responsible so Frollo agreed to take him as his own. He says, “Just so he’s kept locked away where no one else can see” (Scripps). Even Quasi believes he is not normal. He tells the gargoyles, “I 'd never fit in down there. I 'm not...normal” (Scripps). When he escapes for just one day to attend the Festival of Fools, he is made fun of and ridiculed for the way he looks. The crowd is shouting, “That’s no mask! It’s his face! He’s hideous!” (Scripps). Thus Quasimodo appears as a monster to everyone who did not get to know him.
Even though Quasimodo looks like a monster on the outside, his personality is that of a selfless person. Quasi falls in love with Esmeralda, the gypsy woman, and helps her get back to her people. He demonstrates a man of good character as he rescued the damsel in distress. She wants him to run away with her but he refuses because of his devotion to Frollo. Quasi’s caring and loyal nature
According to Wikipedia, “The English idiom [don’t judge a book by its cover] is a metaphorical phrase which means you shouldn’t prejudge the worth of someone or something, by its outward appearance alone” (Don’t judge a book by its cover 1). Just like an old ragged book that one turns the pages to reveal the knowledge or characters within, the same goes for people. It is what is within the person that counts. In “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” Clopin, a gypsy, introduces the story as, “It’s a tale, a tale of a man and a monster” (Scripps). Prejudgment of a person can lead to false identity as seen in the characters of Quasimodo and Frollo. Although Quasi appears as a deformed monster, he is really a caring man. Quasimodo, whose name means half-formed, was born with many deformities. He is portrayed as a red head, pale skinned monster with a hunchback. Frollo tells the archdeacon, “This is an unholy demon. I 'm sending it back to hell, where it belongs” (Scripps). Frollo killed Quasi’s mother and the archdeacon made him feel responsible so Frollo agreed to take him as his own. He says, “Just so he’s kept locked away where no one else can see” (Scripps). Even Quasi believes he is not normal. He tells the gargoyles, “I 'd never fit in down there. I 'm not...normal” (Scripps). When he escapes for just one day to attend the Festival of Fools, he is made fun of and ridiculed for the way he looks. The crowd is shouting, “That’s no mask! It’s his face! He’s hideous!” (Scripps). Thus Quasimodo appears as a monster to everyone who did not get to know him.
Even though Quasimodo looks like a monster on the outside, his personality is that of a selfless person. Quasi falls in love with Esmeralda, the gypsy woman, and helps her get back to her people. He demonstrates a man of good character as he rescued the damsel in distress. She wants him to run away with her but he refuses because of his devotion to Frollo. Quasi’s caring and loyal nature
Cited: “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., 17 Feb. 2012. Web. 6 Mar. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don%27t_judge_a_book_by_its_cover>. Scripps, Ben. “Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame.” Film Script, 1996.