Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Phantom of the Opera, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
The Natural vs. the Supernatural
Love vs. Jealousy
Violence, Revenge, and Redemption
Beauty vs. Ugliness
Summary
Analysis
The next day, Raoul meets with Christine at the Opera. He tells her that he is going to the North Pole on an expedition in three weeks, which he might not survive. Christine, in turn, says that she might not survive either. When they reflect that they might never see each other again, Raoul suggests that they pledge themselves to each other. Although Christine tells him to keep quiet, she is overwhelmed by happiness. Reflecting some more, she tells him that, instead of marrying, they could simply become secretly engaged. She notes that her happiness would have no bounds and that it would be harmful to no one. She then calls him her fiancé and Raoul, in secret, resolves to use these next weeks to solve the mystery of the Voice.
Christine’s gloomy prediction shows that she is aware of Erik’s propensity for violence. Raoul’s failure to ask her questions about this once again suggests that he is too self-involved to give due credit to Christine’s thoughts and feelings. In turn, Christine’s unwillingness to ask for help or try to escape her situation suggests that she is perhaps too compassionate, proving ready to put Erik’s feelings before her own life and happiness. Her joy at being Raoul’s secret fiancé confirms that she loves him, not Erik, but is still unwilling or unable to pursue this love freely—perhaps because she fears Erik’s reaction.
Themes
Literary Devices
In the next few days, Raoul and Christine feel free to express their love to each other in her dressing-room. However, when Raoul mentions that he no longer wants to leave, Christine realizes that they are playing a dangerous game and disappears for two days. On her return, she performs extraordinarily at the Opera, repeating her previous triumph. Raoul runs to see her in her dressing-room and the two of them embrace passionately, while Raoul confirms that he will indeed respect the rules of their game and leave to the North Pole. At the same time, he notices the ring on her finger and feels a pang of intense jealousy.
Christine’s disappearance suggests that she has accepted that her love for Raoul can never exist in real life, but only in this temporary fantasy. Her unwillingness to leave the Phantom shows that she feels trapped, perhaps fearing that Erik will never leave her in peace if he discovers that she has run away with Raoul. Raoul does not yet understand this, but cares too much about spending time alone with Christine to put these few weeks in jeopardy.
Themes
During the next few days, Christine shows Raoul around the Opera. Sometimes, though, Christine grows anxious and breathlessly leads Raoul to different spots in the theater. When Raoul mentions that the wants to explore the basement, Christine says that she cannot go there, because everything underground belongs to “him.” When a trap where they were standing suddenly closes, Raoul wonders if that might be him, but Christine explains that he is busy working and would not be around the Opera. At the same time, Christine shudders and fears that it might have been him indeed.
Christine’s occasional outbursts of fear shows that she does not trust the Phantom to protect either her life or Raoul’s. This constitutes a crucial difference between her suitors. Indeed, even though Raoul often proves incapable of taking the time to listen to what Christine says, he always puts her safety and well-being first. The Phantom, by contrast, is ready to go to greater, violent lengths to maintain his possessive grasp over her.
Themes
In that moment, Raoul boldly swears to protect her. Understanding the futility of such bravery, Christine nevertheless finds his reaction touching. As Raoul insists that he will find a way to free Christine from Erik’s influence, Christine experiences a moment of hope in which she wonders if that would be possible. However, she leads Raoul upstairs with frantic energy, looking behind her on various occasions without noticing that they are indeed being followed by a mysterious shadow.
Raoul’s fearlessness is admirable, but unable to contend with the Phantom’s extraordinary powers. Christine’s inability to imagine a life beyond the Phantom’s control highlights how trapped she must feel, since she has accepted that she will have to obey Erik’s commands for the rest of her life. The shadow following them proves not only that Erik is aware of her love for Raoul, but also that he is more interested in behaving secretly to achieve his goals than in confronting the situation outright.
Themes
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