The Hunchback of Notre-Dame

Historical Context and Significance

The Hunchback of Notre-Dame is one of Victor Hugo’s most famous works, published in 1831. The book drew public attention to the issue of preserving France’s historical heritage and helped initiate the movement to restore and conserve Notre-Dame Cathedral and other historic buildings and monuments. Its historical context reflects the events of late medieval France and addresses themes such as social inequality, love, devotion, and sacrifice. The book’s cultural impact has been immense: it not only inspired public action to preserve historical monuments but also influenced numerous artists, musicians, and filmmakers. The cathedral became a symbol of the eternal struggle for beauty and justice, and its image is inseparably linked to Victor Hugo’s name.