The Hunchback of Notre Dame
is an odd movie because it seems to aim at two different audiences,
never fully satisfying either. Most adults will probably find the antics
with the talking gargoyles gratuitously goofy, while kids are likely to
be frightened by a few sequences that are startlingly violent for a
Disney movie. I’m not sure if Disney has released any tie-in materials
that fully embrace the adult elements of the movie, but Quasimodo to the Rescue!, a part of Disney’s Wonderful World of Reading library, definitely emphasizes the more whimsical aspects of the story.
The
only characters from the movie included in this book are Quasimodo, the
hunchbacked man who lives in the bell tower of Notre Dame Cathedral;
the beautiful gypsy Esmerelda and her pet goat Djali; and the gargoyles
Victor, Hugo and Laverne. The beginning of the book establishes a sense
of easy friendship between Quasimodo and Esmerelda, whose part in the
story is actually pretty minor. It’s nice to think, though, that the two
of them can still be good friends even though she is romantically
involved with golden boy Phoebus, who doesn’t come into this story at
all.
The main focus is on the gargoyles, who start off the story
by grumbling about their circumstances. Stately Victor hates the racket
of the bells, Hugo despises getting his wings wet when it rains and
crotchety Laverne has had it up to here with pigeons perching on her.
They’re not so sure that the bell tower life is all it’s cracked up to
be. Then a mighty tumble sends them hurtling off the tower to land
conveniently in a cart full of straw. Will they prefer their new life on
the ground? Will Quasimodo be able to find his three closest friends
again?
Victor, Hugo and Laverne are a curious trio because they
seem to be mere products of Quasimodo’s imagination. No one else ever
sees them move or hears them speak. Or is it a Toy Story
situation, and Quasimodo just happens to have been granted a rare
exemption to the Don’t Let People Know You’re Alive rule? I’ve never
been sure, but I like to think of it as the latter, particularly in the
context of this story, since Quasimodo is so bound and determined to
rescue them. It’s one thing for him to go to a lot of trouble to
retrieve them for his own sake, but if they truly exist independent of
him, the action feels more heroic.
Although he still lives in
the tower, Quasimodo is no longer a complete recluse. He doesn’t bother
with a costume when he goes out in search of his friends, nor does he
flinch when he comes into contact with others. He seems to have grown
much more comfortable with human contact, and nobody seems to give him a
hard time about his appearance. When one person is brusque with him,
Quasimodo does not back down but instead devises a solution that will
satisfy both him and the man who is irritated by his presence.
This
is a thoroughly light-hearted tale that celebrates kindness to others,
friends and strangers alike, and appreciation for one’s home despite its
drawbacks. While none of the darker elements of the movie are hinted at
here, it still feels true to the setting and characters, particularly
the determined, sweet-natured protagonist. The simple writing – a couple
of paragraphs on most pages – and vibrant pictures come together well
to create a story that emphasizes the value of going the extra mile for
the sake of friendship.
No comments:
Post a Comment