The Phantom of the Opera: Chapter 26 Summary & Analysis

After discovering that Erik’s barrels contain gunpowder, the Persian understands that he plans to destroy the Opera through a grand explosion. Raoul and Daroga panic, realizing that their own lives are not the only ones at risk, and that Christine’s decision will determine the fate of everyone in the Opera. The two of them quickly crawl back into the torture chamber, wondering whether there is time left to tell Christine about Erik’s plan.

Back in the chamber, they suddenly hear footsteps and an alarmed Christine calls out to Raoul, saying that she only has five minutes left before eleven o’clock. She explains that Erik has given her a bronze scorpion and grasshopper. If she turns a pivot on the scorpion, she will be accepting Erik’s offer, but if she turns the grasshopper, they will die, like a grasshopper jumps into the air.

Regaining strength, Raoul then tells Christine to turn the scorpion, but the Persian intervenes, saying that Erik could have lied to her—and that the scorpion might make everything explode. They all suddenly hear footsteps approaching, and Daroga tries to talk to Erik, who tells him to keep quiet. Erik explains to her that, if she chooses the grasshopper, they will all die, whereas the scorpion will flood the gunpowder-filled barrels, thus averting disaster. In a gentle voice, which the Persian interprets as a sign of Erik’s cold-bloodedness, Erik tells Christine to make her decision in silence.

As Erik threatens to turn the grasshopper if Christine does not make a decision, Christine suddenly cries out that she has chosen the scorpion. After everyone waits in silence to see what will happen, the Persian suddenly perceives a hiss of water flooding the basement. At the same time, the water begins to rise, soon covering the basement as well as the torture room. Christine then begs Erik to stop the flow, so as not to kill Raoul and his companion. The Persian tries to swim upward but soon loses consciousness.