The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, Book 9, Chapter 6 summary

What happens

1. The priest enters La Esmeralda’s cell at night, embraces her against her wishes, and overpowers her resistance.
2. La Esmeralda finds Quasimodo’s whistle and blows it, bringing him to her rescue with a knife.
3. Quasimodo drags the attacker outside, but moonlight reveals the priest’s face and makes him submit.
4. Quasimodo kneels at the doorway and offers his life rather than let the priest proceed unhindered.
5. La Esmeralda seizes the knife, challenges the priest, and declares that Phœbus is alive; the priest retreats in rage.
6. Quasimodo returns the whistle, La Esmeralda weeps, and Dom Claude recognizes his jealousy of Quasimodo.

In this chapter

What to notice

Quasimodo submits to the priest’s authority without abandoning La Esmeralda. He places his own life between her and the attacker.

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