The Paratext in Victor Hugo's Novel Notre-Dame de Paris

Abstract

The paratext is the entire discourse belonging to the literary work but it is not the work itself. It is where the author first comes in contact with the reader. How is the reception perspective shaped in the paratext of this novel by Victor Hugo? We focused our attention on the following elements of the authorial discourse : the title, the subtitle, the introduction and the author’s notes. The title of the novel, Notre-Dame de Paris, a theme title, has both a literal and metonymic character at the same time. In the subtitle of the novel, the date 1482, replaces the genetic indication – the historical novel – and puts the chain of events on an historical axis. The introduction is the most important paratextual element. The first introduction is concentrated on the word ananke and the secret connected with it. In the second introduction, we find a more elaborated version of the novel’s genesis, which is the interest in architectural monuments. The author’s notes indicate the importance of the authorial voice interwoven in the narration and the popularizing character of the work. One can say that the notes constitute the extension of the introduction spread throughout the text for the reader’s comfort. The paratext in this novel of Victor Hugo’s fulfills several functions. Firstly , it indicates the genesis of the work, expounded in two voices. Secondly, it indicates the existence of another level parallel to the one which has a purely romanesque character. But above all, it delineates the horizon of expectation which develops throughout the novel.