Disnability

“The depiction of the disabled person as “monster” and the criminal characterization both express the varying degrees the notion that disability involves the loss of an essential part of one’s humanity. Depending on the extent of disability, the individual is perceived as more or less subhuman” —Paul Longmore

In Hunchback of Note Dame, Disney’s 1996 film retells the classic Victor Hugo story of a deformed hunchback man living in Paris’ Notre Dame Cathedral. The french word, Quasimodo means half formed— named because he has a physical disability— a hunched back and facial features. Both are quite noticeable when first seeing Quasimodo. Growing up alone in the bell tower, Quasimodo was raised by Minister of Justice Judge Claude Frollo  per the instruction of the archdeacon. Frollo was to raise Quasimodo as his own child, but Frollo refuses to accept Quasimodo into his own home leaving him in the cathedral bell tower. Forcing Quasimodo into a life of solitary, Frollo has taught Quasimodo to view himself as a “monster” who no one will love or befriend. Spending most of his life alone, Quasimodo grows up isolation with his only friends stone gargoyles who manifest into creatures in the bell tower. 

Disney depicts Quasimodo as the epitome of disability. Not only does Quasimodo, he is a grown man, but in several scenes he is seen playing with dolls. He even befriends stone gargoyles who I cannot tell are magical or simply the manifestation of Quasimodo’s imagination. I enjoyed how Disney portrays the villainous character as Frollo.  Frollo takes pretty evil and in many ways could be labeled as a monster himself. He may be a “normal” looking man, but in his actions and he behaves very much like a monster. Frollo possess the stereotypical attitudes that the disability is ugly and should be shunned. This way, children can view Frollo’s attitude as something they should not follow and rather think opposite to.

In the Festival of Fools, Quasimodo is revealed to the public and labeled the King of Fools for having the ugliest face in Paris. This solidifies all the teaching Frollo has put on Quasimodo—- people see nothing but an ugly man, disability is ugly. But by witnessing the harshness Quasimodo feels, children audiences can see how this is wrong, and how the deep effects of the Parisians’ action have on poor Quasimodo. Quasimodo is pitiful, reminiscent of Nelson’s description of the disability stereotype— pitiful. Nelson quotes theorist Paul Longmore, “Disabiled people are not characterized as a social minority with civil rights but as victims of a tragic fate,” (5). Furthermore, in Sally Chiver’s article she discusses the stigma of difference and disability. Quasimodo has a physical deformity— a hump on his back and facial features. The film deals with a central theme, what is a monster? This tendency to label difference as freakish is evident in the Festival of Fools. 

All in all the Disney ending does paint Quasimodo in a positive light. His relationship with a gypsy woman Esmeralda gives him the sense of love and acceptance, but also children a model person to overlook disability. After the festival, Quasimodo was being tortured for his difference, but Esmeralda come to his aid— shows him humility. Her care for Quasimodo can be seen in the song “God Help the Outcasts.” Esmeralda puts her own life at risk when she shows Quasimodo kindness and acceptance. Esmeralda’s character and sacrifice shows children audiences not to judge a book by its cover. Quasimodo is a man and not a monster. This is evident when Quasimodo is the hero. He saves Esmeralda’s life by rescuing her from burning from the stake and terminates the obvious villain Frollo. In the end, Quasimodo is the hero. Nelson terms this as “hero struggles” where a person with disability takes on hero like qualities that qualify them as amazing. Nelson also notes how this idea often belittles “ordinary” people with disability. 

Esmeralda’s song “God Help the Outcasts” about Quasimodo:

Ending the film on a high note, the concluding scene of the film displays the cheering and happiness of the Parisians after Frollo’s defeat. Quasimodo receive the ultimate display of acceptance, a little girl approaches him and touches his face, laughing. I applaud Disney’s decision to show kids physical deformities does not may or define a person. Although Disney does reinforce several disability stereotypes, The Hunchback of Notre Dame does portray disability in a positive light. 

The ending scene of celebration, including the scene with the little girl’s acceptance: 

Questions for Your Children:

Would you befriend Quasimodo?

Would you feel comfortable with playing with Quasimodo and your toys?

Did you like Esmeralda?

How do you feel about Esmeralda helping Quasimodo?

I suggest using Disney films as a platform for introducing your children to more and more different types of disabilities whether it is physical, mental or social.