news and he does his best toanswer any questions she may ask. One night, a violent mob,the vagabonds, wishes to enter the Cathedral and abductEsmerelda. Quasimodo manages to fend off the entire mobuntil help arrives in the form of Phoebus, one of the King'sarchers, and his squadron of soldiers. “Those who were notshrieking, those who were still alive, saw two streams ofmolten lead falling from the top of the church into thethickest part of the crowd, making two black, smoking holesin it,… Dying men, half burned to ashes, were writhing andgroaning in agony (p.241).” The hunchback throws stones,tools, anything he can find down on the attackers. He thensets fire to lead sheets. They become molten and theintensely hot liquid rains down, burning and melting themob. Such desperate actions are surely a sign of love and awillingness to protect Esmerelda.In contrast, Quasimodo does not, in any way, protectClaude Frollo. In fact, the opposite is true. TheArchdeacon acts as a father figure to the hunchback. Inturn, Quasimodo shows the utmost respect for Frollo. Hetakes punishment and scorn from Frollo, even when it is notdeserved, and accepts it quietly. He does this while he isquite capable of defying the Archdeacon physically as hedoes with any other person that angers him: “Quasimodo cameup to the priest, looked at him and fell to his knees…Quasimodo remained on his knees, lowered his head andclasped his hands together…They then began a strangedialogue of signs and gestures,…the priest standing, angry,threatening and imperious; Quasimodo kneeling, humble andsupplicating. Yet there was no doubt that Quasimodo couldhave crushed the priest with his thumb (p.27).” Thisobedience signifies that the bell ringer is deeply thankfulfor the priest's company and leadership. Quasimodocontinues to show gratitude by obeying every command givento him by the Archdeacon. When the Archdeacon decide...
