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.