Today in Class we got to know the most enigmatic character of the novel—Claude Frollo. Part of the class likes him, the other part isn't sure. Part of the class thinks he hates Esmeralda, and another part thinks that he likes her.
Throughout his life Frollo has been a dedicated priest and a devoted brother. And though he has expressed hatred towards Esmeralda, whom we all like, he did save the infant Quasimodo when others were bent on burning him alive. And in spite of the Parisian populace thinking he is sorcerer, he is committed to his pursuit of divine knowledge, alchemy.
In this chapter we discover that some powerful feelings are interfering with his pursuit of alchemy.
As he tries to work, two names keep coming to mind, “Esmeralda” and “Pheobus.” He cannot concentrate--he is tortured with desire and jealousy. He, a priest, is in love with a gypsy girl.
Later in the scene, as he consults with a fellow alchemist, he notices a fly caught in a web in the corner of a window. To the bemusement of his colleague, he begins to explain how the fly and spider are a reflection of himself. And, having just seen him struggle in his concentration, we were able to piece together the metaphor.
Frollo, as he explains, is the little fly fluttering towards the sun outside—a naïve pursuer of divine knowledge. The fly, on it’s way to enlightenment, is suddenly caught in a web with a spider lying in wait. The spider, again, is Frollo—another part of him: his obsession with Esmeralda. He is a man fighting his feelings as he strives for his goal, and losing.
Having strong emotions keeping us from concentrating is a state of mind the students were all able to identify with. We will soon see how Frollo handles his feelings. But with Frollo's own sinister metaphor, the fly does not seem to have much of a chance against the spider.
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