Tuesday, September 27, 2011

What gift does Christine get in The Phantom of the Opera?

The Phantom gives Christine a gold ring that she loses in Chapter XIII, if that's what you're referring to.  It's not much of a gift, though, at least not one given in the spirit of generosity, because as Christine tells Raoul, "[Erik] said, 'I give you back your liberty, Christine, on condition that this ring is always on your finger. ...'"  So really, the Phantom's "gift" in this context is not so much a gift as a symbol of the power he still holds over her, the threat he continues to pose to her well-being, which is hammered home by the fact that this "gift" is a gold ring, suggestive of a wedding band.


However, you could argue that the voice lessons the Phantom gives Christine are a gift at first... until he, again, uses them to try to convince Christine that she owes him unswerving loyalty and love.  Some gift-giver he is.

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