Previous
Chapter 10
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 goes to ask Mme Valerius about what has happened. He is startled to see Christine by the old woman’s bedside. Refusing to answer both Raoul and confused Mme Valerius’s questions, Christine claims that the Angel of Music does not exist. However, Raoul tells Mme Valerius that Christine is under the influence of an impostor. Raoul then points to a ring that Christine is wearing and argues that she must be married. Upset by such insinuations, Christine simply says that the ring is a present.
Christine’s sudden denial of the Angel of Music’s existence is probably meant to protect both Raoul and Mme Valerius, since Christine knows that Erik is extremely protective of his identity and his secret lodgings. Christine’s anger at Raoul’s assumption that she must be married to Erik proves that she does not actually love Erik, even if she is willing to respect his commands.
Themes
Raoul then describes what he saw the previous night, focusing in particular on Christine’s enchantment at hearing the singing in her dressing-room, and asks her to give him the name of the man who was singing. However, Christine says she will never do so. She is angry to hear that Raoul believes she is foolish to love this man, who must be evil if he uses such means to keep her under his control. When Raoul finally reveals that he knows that man’s name is Erik, Christine cries out, telling Raoul that he is putting his own life at risk. She warns Raoul not to try to elucidate the mystery of “the Voice,” saying that it is unfathomably terrible.
Christine’s anger at Raoul’s insinuation that Christine is either foolish to put herself in this situation or that Erik must be evil is understandable, since she pities Erik and does not actually love him. However, Raoul does show perceptiveness, since he understands that Erik is less interested in establishing a loving relationship of trust with Christine than in maintaining control over her.
Themes
This confession distresses Raoul, who falls silent. He agrees never to go to Christine’s dressing-room uninvited again, in exchange for occasional visits from Christine.
Raoul’s willingness to compromise reveals that he finally takes Christine’s words seriously, and that it might indeed be dangerous for him to keep on spying on her without asking for her permission to see her.
Themes
