Disney’s 1996 film The Hunchback Of Notre Dame will always have a special place in our hearts. It was a bit darker than most other Disney movies as the original tale by Victor Hugo is, well, not the lightest story. The original of course isn’t packed with talking gargoyles, but it’s an interesting story nonetheless.
The Disney remake is colorful and one of the more mature animated films to come out of the studios. Critics actually loved it! But after watching the film again as an adult, it’s a lot more messed up than we thought when we were still kids.
You Can't Be Sexy AND Anything Else
Esmeralda is an amazing character. She's strong, independent, smart and quick-witted. But she's sexy, which in the movie causes a bunch of problems. It's frustrating because you have these Disney films like Brave where the princess isn't a sexpot so she is free to explore her dreams and whatnot. And then we have characters like Esmeralda who are fantastic but also sexy so they can't explore other aspects of themselves. The focus is just on how hot she is. There's literally a whole song about it in the movie.
Speaking Of Sexy, It's Your Fault
So that song is called "Hellfire" and it's all about how sexy Esmeralda is and how she's essentially the devil for being so hot. Creepy Judge Claude Frollo just can't help himself from wanting her because she's too hot. LIKE HELLFIRE. GET IT? He actually says "This burning/Desire/Is turning me to sin/It's not my fault." Guess what that sounds like? Victim-blaming, rape culture, etc. Ugh.
Sexuality Is Power
There's a big focus on power in this movie. Frollo especially uses his power for bad and thinks it's his right by God to do crappy things. Esmeralda has power over men because of her sexuality, but she doesn't want it that way. Esmeralda isn't a whore and doesn't want to be treated as such, but no one lets her escape it.
What You Wear Matters
There's also this perpetuation of the idea that what you wear matters. Esmeralda bares her shoulders (what a skank, amirite?) which is just too much for everyone. She's not traditionally dressed compared to the other women in this little town so she's totes asking for it. No. Nope. False. Wrong. What you wear whether you're wearing sweatpants or a crop top does NOT mean you are asking for anything. It means you felt like wearing an outfit. That's it.
That Whole Friendzone Thing
Long story short, Quasimodo loves Esmeralda because she's kind to him. She doesn't love Quasi as more than a friend, but instead loves Phoebus because chemistry. Or something. Anyway, Quasi is all broken up about being friendzoned. There's this assumption that Esmeralda being nice means that she'll romantically be interested. I hate that they do this because Quasi is a good person, and I really think he is totally fine with being your friend. BUT there is a redeeming moment because Quasi still saves Esmeralda in the end and even says that he knows she loves someone else. So that was nice.
That Male Feminists Are Less Masculine
Quasimodo is definitely a feminist. He really wants everyone to be treated equally and with kindness because he is not treated nicely due to his appearance. But Disney turns Quasi into a pining princess-type character. There is no princess in this film because Quasi fits the role, which is pretty unfair to him because he is a strong human being. There's just this feeling when looking at Quasi that kind men or male feminists are somehow less masculine because of how they portray him.
This Guy
I don't really like Phoebus especially because in the original story, he's a total jerk. But Esmeralda loves him and he saves Quasimodo's life. However, Disney has Quasi give Phoebus and Esmeralda his blessing to be together. WHY? Quasi and Esmeralda were never together. There were no expectations there. Esmeralda doesn't need a blessing to date who she wants to date.
Source: Gurl
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