How does setting affect the plot of Victor Hugo's novel, The Hunchback of Note Dame?

Question

It would also be of assistance to say how the setting affects the plot...

It would also be of assistance to say how A setting affects plot. (Mood, atmosphere, time...)

Answer 1

"The book portrays the Gothic era as one of extremes of architecture, passion, and religion;
which, despite being the cause of many problems, are seen by Hugo to be more authentic than the sentiments of his time.

Like many of his other works, Hugo is also very concerned with social justice, and his descriptions of religious fanaticism are also examined."


As stated by many critics and scholars, the Cathedral of Notre Dame appears to be the main setting, which is almost elevated to the status of a character. Indeed, the original French title of the book, Notre-Dame de Paris (literally, Our Lady of Paris) shows that the cathedral (and not Quasimodo) is the subject of the story. The book portrays the Gothic era as one of extremes of architecture, passion, and religion; which, despite being the cause of many problems, are seen by Hugo to be more authentic than the sentiments of his time. Like many of his other works, Hugo is also very concerned with social justice, and his descriptions of religious fanaticism are also examined.

Many film adaptations of the novel have simplified the thematic and historical concerns greatly, leading to the most important theme being the mistreatment of Quasimodo for his ugliness, and the moral that one shouldn't judge people by their looks. However, this is a very small part of Hugo's novel (especially as Quasimodo is much less sympathetic than he is in many film adaptations).

Answer 2

Try reading the book and see for yourself. It is a wonderful sad and glorious story.
In this case, the setting is almost a character. The whole town is held together by its faith and the church building as a physical presence, they all love and respect. It gets them into trouble.
This is a great book. Well worth the time and effort to read it.

Answer 3

The hunchback doesn't get sunk by an iceberg.

Do your own homework.