The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, Book 2, Chapter 1 summary
Book 2, Chapter 1 of 60 · 4 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 1, Gringoire wanders through Paris after his theatrical failure, avoiding his lodging because he cannot pay the rent and seeking relief from the festival. Repeated encounters with celebrations deepen his distress, until he decides to seek warmth and scraps of sugar at Place de Grève.
What happens
- Unable to pay his rent, Gringoire considers sleeping outdoors with a mounting block as his pillow.
- The Pope of Fools procession, fireworks, and illuminated banners repeatedly remind him of his theatrical failure.
- He enters a dark street, trips over a festival decoration, and reaches the muddy riverbank.
- He envies a cow ferryman’s shelter until a firecracker reveals that the ferryman also celebrates the festival.
- After briefly considering drowning, Gringoire decides to seek fire and food at Place de Grève.
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In this chapter
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Why does Gringoire decide to go to Place de Grève?
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