The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, Book 7, Chapter 4 summary
Book 7, Chapter 4 of 60 · 19 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 4, Jehan Frollo du Moulin visits his brother Claude for money and secretly witnesses his troubled experiments, obsessive thoughts, and inscription about fate. Claude refuses his requests until approaching footsteps make secrecy urgent, and Jehan demands payment before hiding beneath the furnace.
What happens
- Finding his purse empty, Jehan goes to Notre-Dame to ask his brother for money despite expecting a lecture.
- Jehan secretly watches Claude pursue alchemical theories, struggle with intrusive thoughts, and try a spell against anyone named Phœbus.
- Claude scratches a Greek word meaning fate into the wall, then receives Jehan without knowing that he has watched.
- Claude rebukes Jehan’s misconduct, exposes his false charitable excuse, and refuses money while offering replacement boots.
- When footsteps announce the expected visitor, Claude orders Jehan to hide and remain silent, and Jehan extracts his purse.
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In this chapter
What to notice
Claude acknowledges that an obsession disrupts his experiments. Jehan overhears this admission before presenting himself, gaining a glimpse of distress hidden beneath his brother’s authority.
Quick check
What finally makes Claude throw his purse to Jehan?
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