The Hunchback of Notre Dame - Victor Hugo

"Without a doubt the Cathedral of Notre-Dame is, even today a majestic and sublime edifice. Though it has preserved a noble mien in aging, it is difficult to suppress the feeling of sorrow and indignation at the countless injuries and mutilation which time and man have wrought upon this venerable monument between the time of Charlemagne, who laid its first stone, and that of Philip-Augustus, who laid its last."

This Victor Hugo classic is set in ancient Paris, and it is an ode to the Cathedral of Notre-Dame. Much as most of the characters in the book have a tragic fate, it is at the cathedral that the author mostly wants us to gaze with "reverent admiration"-an edifice where "everything had its place in that self-created, logical, well-proportioned art. By measuring the toe, we estimate the giant."

There are three main characters in the story. The first is Claude Frollo, a scion of a middle-class Parisian family. As a boy, Frollo was reserved, bright and by nature melancholy. His parents had destined him for priesthood, "and at sixteen was a match for a father of the Church in mystical law." His thirst for knowledge drove him to the study of canon and civil law, liberal arts and medicine. He later thoroughly digested the science of herbs and studied languages. All this learning gained him a reputation so great for one so young.

After his parents had died, fate prematurely bestowed on him the duty of looking after his younger brother Jehan. For someone who spent most of his young life pinioned to books, his devotion to his younger brother was his first human affection. This infant brother 'who had dropped from heaven into his arms,' made a new man of him. He discovered that there was much more to life than the poetry of Homer and the mysteries of science. He discovered the necessity of affection. He threw himself therefore at the care of his brother, showing him all the love he could.

At the age of twenty, Frollo was ordained a priest. It was at this time that he found Quasimodo, a deformed infant and the other major character in the book, abandoned outside the door of the church. When Claude Frollo pulled the sack covering the child, he found himself looking at a monster: "the head pushed down between the shoulders, the spine curved, the breastbone protruding, the legs bowed." The child's ugliness inexplicably heightened the priest's compassion.

Frollo adopted the child, baptized him and raised him as his own. When frightened dogs barked at him, it was between the legs of the Claude Frollo that Quasimodo sought refuge. The priest also taught him to speak, read and write. Quasimodo was, therefore, grateful to the priest. But the relationship between them was no better than that of a master and his dog.

Quasimodo grew up to be the bellringer of Notre Dame. Cut off from society by the double tragedy of deformity and orphanhood, the Cathedral of Notre Dame became his prison and his universe. Like a reptile, he could be seen all day crawling along the arches and corners of the church.

But, what mostly gave him joy, and seemed to arouse his soul the most, was ringing the bells of the Notre Dame. Though their noise turned him deaf, he loved them, talked to them, danced to the frenzy of their sound, and caressed them as one human would another. The third major character is the dancing gypsy, La Esmeralda, with beauty so rare and incomparable.

Victor Hugo eloquently takes us on a tour of ancient Paris. While it is the doomed relationships between these three that he narrates with skill and humor, it is the spectacle of the Cathedral of Notre Dame that his literary torch shines on. Even though the main protagonists lives are replete with events, the reader gets the impression that the author sees nothing remarkable or memorable about them.

the story, the citizens of Paris seemed to be dancing their way across the stage of their doomed lives in a predictable fashion. They have do-nothing kings, happy bourgeois, dungeons and the scaffold for the both the innocent and the guilty, and the merry, noisy, naïve, haggard and filthy masses. Human life is portrayed in the book as a sad spectacle without charm.

But not so with the cathedral, 'it was a vast symphony in stone,' the author writes, 'the colossal work of a man and of a nation, a unified complex ensemble, like the Iliads and the Romanceros, to which it is a sister production.' Its facades, its chiseled arches, its steps, its steeples, its pillars, its statues, its chubby cherubims, its art, its windows are so intricately and elaborately depicted. Their beauty seemingly juxtaposed to the ugliness of human life.

There is a lament in the author's voice about the changes and mutilations that humanity has wrought on this imposing edifice, but no such sentiment is displayed for the wretchedness of the lives of fellow humans. It is as if the appalling and endless carnage of human life is told merely to show, if not accentuate, the beauty of the cathedral. The reader gets the impression that the author had given up on humanity, rejected and rebelled against the fierceness of the world, and hid in his hovel-art.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame is an excellent historical novel and a grand sojourn of old Paris. Its depiction of place and person is symphonic and skillful. Its narrative, with strong political, social and even religious themes, soars to the end. The book is a classic that deserves to be read and re-read.

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Conspiracy Theory Case Study - US President Is an Alien

Yes, conspiracy theories are fun to think about and they are interesting for late-night radio, and quite a few science fiction writers have done quite well sprinkling around a few tall tales in the conspiratorial world in order to sell more books, and make more movies. Still, it's important to keep a skeptical mind at all times, and try to keep everything in a humorous perspective when it comes to these things, after all, you don't want to lose your grip on reality. Okay so, for today's conspiracy theory case study I would like to discuss with you the crazy notion that the US president is an alien.

First, I would submit to you that the reason that these rumors get started, is that politics is a very dirty game, and often to incite anger, animosity, or even unfortunately hatred, the opposition party will attempt to dehumanize those on the other side of the political spectrum. Of course, the president, whichever party he is from becomes the symbol for that particular political persuasion. Therefore, it should not surprise you that anyone would be calling him an alien.

When I talk about aliens, I'm not talking about illegal aliens, or in this case President Obama's birth certificate, that's a whole other conspiracy theory, that I won't get into in this article. I'm talking about actual alien beings, in other words the president is not a human, he is an alien in disguise, where as some of these conspiracy theorists say a shape shifting alien. And it's not just about President Obama, they tried the same thing with President Bush, Bill Clinton, and President Bush Senior as well. There were conspiracy theories that each of those gentlemen were aliens, and not from this world.

You probably heard the conspiracy theory that they were reptilians, or shape shifters. Interestingly enough, there is enough evidence proving they aren't, however these conspiracy theories in the paranormal realm continue. Regardless of who is president next, or if President Obama gets reelected, these stories will continue. If not with our current president, that whoever gets elected. Is it human nature to do this? Dehumanizing your enemy is something that happens in war, business, and in sports. The other team, other army, or other company is not normal, they are not worthy, and they are not even humans.

Interestingly enough, we tend to develop names for our enemies to degrade them into something which we might consider less than human. The image of a reptilian is one attempt to do that, and the concept of shape shifting from something else which is perhaps hideous and ugly from a human point of view is another way to do that, and I would submit to you that this is what is happening with this particular conspiratorial theory, and that it is false. Indeed I hope you will please consider all this and think on it.

Lance Winslow has launched a new provocative series of eBooks on Science Fiction Short Stories. Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank; http://www.worldthinktank.net

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Conspiracy Theory Case Study - Global Elite Wants to Remove Two Thirds of the Population

If you are one to enjoy conspiracy theories, perhaps you listen to late-night radio. For a number of years I had done this while traveling around the country because I enjoyed driving at night when there was no traffic. I would simply turn on the late-night radio, and listen to whatever tall tales and conspiracy theories they could come up with. Interestingly enough, most of them are plausibly deniable, and some of these crazy stories may actually be true, or at least parts of them are true enough to keep the natives restless. Okay so, let's talk about one of these conspiratorial stories as a case study.

Perhaps you've heard that conspiracy that "The New World Order" is going to take over the world, and a group of elites, billionaires, and the proverbial Rothschild family, and all of these sorts of folks are planning the demise of billions of people on the planet. Because they say there are too many humans, too many mouths to feed, and all those people simply aren't needed. Well, when you take apart a conspiracy theory, you have to look at all the evidence, and try to reason if it even makes sense. And you have to decide who gains by such an action, and who loses.

Now then, if there are fewer people in the world, then we don't need as much production capacity, we don't need as many people working, and therefore all those people aren't needed. Question is what to do with them. You could wait a few generations, and see that they don't have so many offspring, or you can find ways to see their early demise perhaps from disease, lack of food, war, or some cataclysmic event. Mother Nature has done a good job that wiping out scores of people, but not on the scale it would take to get rid of let's say two thirds of the population which is how this conspiracy theory plays it.

Now then, the reality is that human beings are a pretty resilient species, and they're pretty hard to get rid of. It's hard to kill them off by disease, and they seem to be smart enough not to let wars get too far out of hand or kill too many people. World War II killed a significant number of people, but compared to the number of people on the planet, well, not so much. Bird Flu could be significant, if it were custom tailored for the most ruthless of pandemics, but humans again are pretty smart, and would probably rise to the occasion with the production of massive numbers of vaccine kits. Then logistically, they find a way to get them to each and every person, and therefore stop it pretty quick. Yes, it could kill a significant number of people, but you'd be surprised, as humans adapt quite quickly, their bodies are incredible, and they just aren't easy to get rid of.

Further, in looking at this conspiracy theory you have to ask yourself if it makes sense. If the global elite can control more people, there will be a more abundance for them at the top, and more production and economic activity as well. They stand to gain by expansion of the balloon or pie, as they will always hold a greater percentage. Therefore, this particular conspiracy theory doesn't really make any sense. Thus, it probably fails. So it's time you came up with a better one. Indeed I hope you will please consider all this and think on.

Lance Winslow has launched a new provocative series of eBooks; Science Fiction Shorts. Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank; http://www.worldthinktank.net

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Ireland History - The Battle of the Boyne

The Battle of The Boyne can only be understood properly by first looking at what happened in the siege of Derry

The Siege Of Derry

King James II took over from his brother and converted to Catholicism when he married Mary, the daughter of the Italian Duke of Modena. He had left England in 1679 and did not return for six years until he succeeded to the throne in England. He began the task of restoring the Catholic religion in both England and in Ireland. He appointed Colonel Talbot as commander of his forces in Ireland and his brother in law, Lord Clarendon as the Lord Lieutenant. Talbot disarmed the mainly Protestant militia and appointed Catholic officers to the army and other important posts within the judiciary. In 1687 Talbot was also made Lord Lieutenant as Clarendon had proved to be a rather weak person. Talbot, now known as the Earl of Tirconnell was a strict Catholic and these actions stirred a panic among Protestants, with many of them leaving their homes and moving to England.

In 1688, Lord Danby sent for Prince William of Orange. Prince William was a Dutch Prince and was married to James's Protestant daughter, also called Mary. The English establishment had panicked when James had a son, and could form part of a Catholic dynasty. When James II heard of William's arrival he instantly fled to France and William took the throne of England without any opposition. William and Mary were declared joint rulers and James was in the court of Louis XIV of France looking for help. Tirconnell had remained in Ireland and had armed the Catholics to help defend Ireland for James II.

The Apprentice Boys

The North of Ireland was populated mainly with English settlers and Protestant soldiers, who sided with Prince William of Orange. The town of Enniskillen refused to admit Talbot and this kicked off the War of the Revolution. Lord Antrim marched to take Derry and the magistrates hesitated as they were uncertain what to do. A number of young apprentice boys, grabbed the keys and managed to shut the gates which prevented Talbot's Jacobite army from entering the city. These apprentice boys were actually in the town as part of a development plan which had been organised by the City of London and its Guilds. Richard Hamilton was then sent to the North to take Ulster as the Protestants had started to make defences and he arrived in Derry in 1689. There ensued what is now known as the Siege of Derry that lasted 105 days.

When James arrived in Kinsale he met with Richard Talbot who had convened a Catholic parliament. He also brought with him some 100 French officers, over 1,000 Irish refugees, arms and ammunition. Patrick Sarsfield was one of the French officers he had brought with him. During the siege of Derry, James went to the parliament and there he repealed Poyning's Law which now allowed full freedom of worship. He also repealed the Act of Settlement. The siege in Derry continued and Hamilton continued to try and take the city. From inside the walls of the city many urged surrender and a Colonel Lundy who was the governor was one such person. So unpopular was that call that he was forced to make his escape over the walls at night and in disguise.

The only hope for those inside the walls of Derry was assistance from troops arriving by sea, as all land was surrounded by Hamilton's men. Finally help did arrive with ships arriving in Lough Foyle under the control of General Kyle. However on seeing the forts lining the banks and seeing a defensive boom structure in the Lough they would not go any further and dropped anchor. For 46 days they waited as the food grew less and less and many people simply began to starve. Finally ships were sent in and crashed through the boom bringing supplies and relief to the town of Derry. The siege was now over and the very next day Hamilton marched his army away. The Jacobites were also defeated at Enniskillen and Sarsfield now moved back to Athlone leaving Ulster firmly in the hand of the Williamites.

The Battle Of The Boyne

The battle at Derry had only been the beginning of the struggle. King William now sent an 80 year old Dutch General called Schomberg who landed in the town of Bangor in the North of Ireland. He had brought with him some 15,000 men who captured Carrickfergus and then made his base in Dundalk. He did suffer heavy losses and was forced to seek reinforcements. His army was also badly affected by sickness. A year later on the 14th June 1690 Prince William landed at Carrickfergus with an assorted bunch of troops from Germany, Denmark and some French Huguenots. The key thing was that there were 35,000-40,000 in total, all of whom were well armed and very well equipped.

James did have 25,000 that included some still loyal English regiments, some Irish and the French troops sent by Louis XIV. James had advanced from Dublin to Dundalk and was now on the south bank of the river Boyne. Probably the most significant fact was that the Irish army was mainly recruits who were poorly armed and drilled and with a leader who was not that skilful or indeed resolute. William was however recognised as one of the best generals of all time and under his command he had a larger army who were well trained and well armed.

William was injured from a cannon shot and many on the Irish side believed him to be dead. The two sides went into battle at the River Boyne in County Meath on 1st July 1690, when William's army started to cross the river. William had sent 10,000 men under the command of General Douglas to cross some five miles up the river, an area which although James had been warned, had decided to leave unguarded. The rest of the army attacked at four different places.

The Blue Dutch guards under the leadership of General Schomberg attacked at the centre of James'a army and Schomberg was killed when shot in the neck by a bullet fired from a musket. The battle now raged up and down the river for about a mile with William fighting lower down at Drogheda. Although the Irish army offered resistance they were no match for William's army and a decisive victory was won by William. The Irish army retreated back towards Dublin and James fled at the first signs of defeat. It caused Sarsfield to announce, "Change kings and we will fight you over again."

James made his retreat when he reached Kinsale and headed back to Brest in France leaving Tirconnell to do what he could. This battle is still celebrated today on the 12th July by what are known as Orangemen so called after Prince William. The reason for the latter date is due to the change from the Julian calendar to the Gregory Calendar in 1752.

Enda McLarnon http://northern-ireland-history.blogspot.com/

I am an avid reader of anything to do with the history of Ireland and Northern Ireland in particular.

This includes the Northern Ireland Troubles.

If you like what you have read and want to find out more then please visit my site at Northern Ireland History

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