 Explores the life of Quasimodo, better known as the Hunchback of Notre Dame. The Hunchback was introduced to the world in French author Victor Hugo s 1831 novel, Notre-Dame de Paris (The Hunchback of Notre Dame). This novel, which portrays Paris life during Louis XI s reign, was a thinly-veiled criticism of French society: a society that, symbolized by the evil archdeacon Frollo and soldier Phoebus, is constantly tormenting the already downtrodden Quasimondo and his gypsy friend Esmerelda.