Get Your Premium Membership

An Unfinished Characterization of Quasimodo

I AM QUASIMODO, THE BELLRINGER OF NOTRE DAME, WHOSE FATED MYSTERY IS TO SUMMON THE MASSES UPON THE APPOINTED HOURS OF THEIR FAITH. A MISBEGOTTEN BIRTH HAS BROUGHT ME HERE, ABANDONED, RECOVERED, (HIDDEN AWAY) IN MY AFFLICTION - A DENIZEN OF HIGH PLACES, MADE DEAF BY LABOR AT THE BELLS; A SUBTERRANEAN CREATURE SNIFFING MY SURE WAY THRU THE BACK WAYS AND FORGOTTEN STREETS OF A CITY AT NIGHT, Notes (not mine) on the beginning of something, a narrative poem perhaps? Found in a box recovered from storage, along with scanned photos from that time; An interesting characterization worth preserving... and possibly completing...? ...as a PoetrySoup cooperative project? Questions one could comment or expand upon: Are there aspects of Quasimodo in each of us? I love the turn of phrase, "whose fated mystery is to summon the masses upon the appointed hours of their faith." I ponder my own fated mystery. What is yours? How does it feel to be at the center (and the maker) of so much sound and not be able to hear it? Do you 'hear' sound differently? What are you deaf to? a call to faith? love? How does Quasimodo's sense of isolation mirror your own? The contrast of being a "denizen of high places", yet a "subterranean creature" roaming forgotten 'streets' in the dark. What does that mean to you?

Copyright © | Year Posted 2010




Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem.

Please Login to post a comment

Date: 5/31/2010 7:03:00 AM
I like it. The message is real. Keep writing. Great job! Joseph
Login to Reply
Date: 5/6/2010 10:52:00 AM
Have missed u and your poetry Linda..hope all is well with u.. luv.. Linda-Marie..
Login to Reply
Date: 4/14/2010 12:04:00 PM
Intresting, and very deep. Nice ! P.D.
Login to Reply
Date: 4/2/2010 5:47:00 AM
What a unique and awesome write Linda and hope they have a contest for this one for u as it is terrific.. thankxxx so very much for your wonderful comments on my poem about my MOM..she was a very special lady indeed.. missed too much in my life today.. she was a blessing for sure.. hope u and your family have a blessed and happy Easter celebration..luv.. Linda-Marie
Login to Reply
Date: 4/1/2010 6:08:00 AM
to many pondering thoughts at once. I will have to tell you later. Blemishes and lispes, percieved defects do make us feel like a quasimodo at times.
Login to Reply

Book: Shattered Sighs