He is born with what is described as a “hunchback” (medically known as kyphosis), and he is also described as having a large wart covering most of his right eye (Mayo Clinic, 2020). Quasimodo also becomes deaf as he lives and works in the bell tower.

What does Quasimodo suffer from?

Quasimodo is a hunchback. He additionally suffers from other ailments brought about by his harsh life. Scientifically, being hunchbacked is known as 'kyphosis', which can be brought about by various ailments, but the novel does not specify the specific syndrome he has (likely because it was not known at the time).

What genetic disorder did Quasimodo have?

Specifically, some passages in Hugo's novel suggest that a form of mucopolysaccharidosis, a deformity associated with many congenital and hereditary changes affecting the skeletal system, could explain Quasimodo's somatometric characteristics.

Is Hunchback of Notre Dame about disability?

One of the most well known nineteenth-century fictional representations of disability is that of Quasimodo, the deaf and disabled bell-ringer in Victor Hugo's 1831 historical novel, Notre-Dame de Paris.

Did Quasimodo have scoliosis?

Although Victor Hugo never states the exact disease that burdens Quasimodo, it is clear that whatever he suffers from resulted in the improper development of his spine. Since scoliosis normally first appears in adolescence, and Quasimodo was born deformed, it's debatable as to whether or not he had scoliosis.

Disney Disability Representation: Quasimodo in the Hunchback of Notre Dame

Is hunchback a real condition?

Kyphosis, also called round back or hunchback, is a spinal disorder that occurs when the upper back becomes abnormally rounded forward. Kyphosis is a common condition that affects more than 3 million people per year in the United States.

Is the hunchback deaf?

Quasimodo is a 19-year-old "hunchback" with physical deformities, and the bell-ringer of Notre-Dame. He is half-blind and almost completely deaf, the latter from all the years ringing the bells of the church. Abandoned by his mother as a baby, he was adopted by Claude Frollo.

Why was The Hunchback of Notre Dame banned?

'Notre-Dame de Paris' (or the Hunchback of Notre-Dame) was put on the list shortly after its publication in 1831. Some sources suggest the censorship was not necessarily for views against the church or monarchy, but for content that was sensual, libidinous or lascivious.

Is Quasimodo deaf in the Disney movie?

The first adaptation is the Disney animated film, The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, in which Quasimodo's deafness was intentionally erased and his anomalous body domesticated.

Is Quasimodo deaf in Disney?

Quasimodo is also portrayed as being deaf due to the bells, like in the novel. He only speaks coherently when talking to the gargoyles or when singing. (Some productions cast a deaf actor as Quasimodo, with another actor acting as his singing voice.)

Is Quasimodo special needs?

He is born with what is described as a “hunchback” (medically known as kyphosis), and he is also described as having a large wart covering most of his right eye (Mayo Clinic, 2020). Quasimodo also becomes deaf as he lives and works in the bell tower.

Why didn t Quasimodo get the girl?

There could be many reasons. The most widely used theory, at least for the Disney film, is the idea of the trinity used for the plot: Frollo sees her as evil, Quasimodo sees her as angelic, and Phoebus sees both the good and the bad. Out of all three, Phoebus saw her as the most human.

Who is the gypsy girl in Quasimodo?

Esmeralda is the deuteragonist of Disney's 1996 animated film, The Hunchback of Notre Dame. She is a young woman belonging to a marginalized group referred to as "gypsies".

Why is Frollo obsessed with Esmeralda?

Frollo's belief in fate becomes fanatical when he falls in love with Esmeralda and becomes sexually obsessed with her. Although Esmeralda does nothing to invite his attention, Frollo believes that she has bewitched him and thinks that it is his destiny to either seduce her or kill her.

What does Quasimodo mean in English?

noun. 1. another name for Low Sunday. 2. a character in Victor Hugo's novel Notre-Dame de Paris (1831), a grotesque hunch-backed bellringer of the cathedral of Notre Dame.

Did Esmeralda love Quasimodo?

Esmeralda did not fell in love with Quasimodo, she only admires him as a devotedly loyal friend. Esmeralda's first encounter with Quasimodo, excluding the kidnapping scene, is when Quasimodo is sentenced to the pillory for his attempted kidnapping, it is Esmeralda, his victim, who pities him and serves him water.

What Disney character never spoke?

Dumbo. As the least vocal main character in Disney's entire film library (Dumbo never speaks in the film named for him!), you'd think this pachyderm would at least get more of a chance to shine in the Disney parks.

Why is Quasimodo so strong?

Quasimodo has a condition called kyphosis.

In Hugo's novel, however, Quasimodo has superhuman strength as a result of his posture—though this doesn't stop society from disowning him based on his appearance. He's further detached from society by deafness that occurs as a result of years ringing Notre Dame's bells.

Did Quasimodo get the girl?

However, The Hunchback of Notre Dame is the rare case in which the protagonist, Quasimodo, does not get the girl at the end, at least not in Hugo's novel. Quasimodo is in love with Esmeralda in the novel, but unfortunately, she is hanged at the end of the novel.

Why was Esmeralda removed?

Esmeralda is a different story. According to the most common theory behind her removal, she was deemed not marketable to or suitable for kids.

Why was Quasimodo whipped?

Quasimodo is tried for his attempted kidnapping of Esmerelda. He is unable to defend himself due to his deafness. The judge, who is also deaf, mistakenly believes Quasimodo has mocked him, and so sentences him to a public whipping. As the crowd throws stones, Frollo does nothing to help Quasimodo.

Is Quasimodo a gypsy?

He was born to a tribe of Romani people (in the novel called égyptienne or 'gypsies'), but due to his monstrous appearance he was switched during infancy with an able-bodied baby girl, Agnes.

What monster is Quasimodo?

Unlike many characters in the movie that were once human but later became monsters, Quasimodo (aka the Hunchback of Notre Dame) was never a monster but simply a human with a physical deformity.

Is Quasimodo Ableist?

According to Whittington-Walsh, “People with physical and mental disabilities have been displayed for human entertainment and profit as human oddities for hundred of years” (696). Ableism, the practice of discriminating against another based on his or her physical disabilities is meted out on Quasimodo.

Why does Quasimodo look white?

On a more meta note, the main reason could be just straight up white-washing Quasimodo to look white because having a brown, disabled, physically "deformed" lead would be too radical for Disney, especially seeing as there's already a socially aware woman of colour as the romantic lead.