hunchback of notre dame, the: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowLiterary, Cultural, Allusive
Quick answer
What does “hunchback of notre dame, the” mean?
The title of Victor Hugo's 1831 French novel, "Notre-Dame de Paris," popularly known by this name.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The title of Victor Hugo's 1831 French novel, "Notre-Dame de Paris," popularly known by this name.
A widely recognized cultural reference, primarily to the character Quasimodo, a bell-ringer with a deformed back living in Notre-Dame Cathedral. Often used to signify themes of outcasts, love, injustice, and Gothic Paris.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage of the title itself.
Connotations
Same core literary/cultural connotations in both regions.
Frequency
Equally recognized due to global Disney adaptation, though perhaps more immediate in US pop culture.
Grammar
How to Use “hunchback of notre dame, the” in a Sentence
refer to ~based on ~like a character from ~Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hunchback of notre dame, the” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- It had a Hunchback-of-Notre-Dame Gothic atmosphere.
American English
- The set design was very Hunchback of Notre Dame.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
Used in literature, history, and disability studies courses.
Everyday
Referencing the Disney film or the general story.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hunchback of notre dame, the”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hunchback of notre dame, the”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hunchback of notre dame, the”
- Calling the book "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" in formal academic writing (prefer original French title).
- Misspelling 'Notre' as 'Norte'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the original 1831 title is 'Notre-Dame de Paris'. The English title is a descriptive translation focusing on the protagonist.
It is an outdated and often offensive term for a person with kyphosis. Modern usage prefers person-first language (e.g., 'a person with a spinal curvature').
No, Quasimodo is a fictional character created by Victor Hugo.
Major themes include the cruelty of social exclusion, the nature of justice and love, and the preservation of Gothic architecture (the cathedral itself is a central character).
The title of Victor Hugo's 1831 French novel, "Notre-Dame de Paris," popularly known by this name.
Hunchback of notre dame, the is usually literary, cultural, allusive in register.
Hunchback of notre dame, the: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhʌntʃ.bæk əv ˌnɒ.trə ˈdɑːm ðə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhʌntʃ.bæk əv ˌnoʊ.trə ˈdɑːm ðə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
HUNCH (his back) + BACK (of the) + NOTRE (cathedral) + DAME (in Paris).
Conceptual Metaphor
THE OUTCAST AS A BELL (Quasimodo is isolated yet central to the cathedral's sound/heart).
Practice
Quiz
What is the original French title of 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame'?