The Phantom of the Opera · Chapter
Epilogue explained
The narrator concludes the story of the Opera ghost, affirming Erik's real existence and providing final details about the fates of Raoul, Christine, and others.
What happens
The narrator concludes the story of the Opera ghost, affirming Erik's real existence and providing final details about the fates of Raoul, Christine, and others. The Persian aids the narrator's investigation, revealing Erik's origins and his life as an artist and magician. The chapter describes the discovery of Erik's skeleton and the hidden mechanisms of the Opera house, including the hollow column in Box Five and the trapdoor in the managers' office.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Secrecy
The Opera ghost's hidden mechanisms, such as the hollow column and trapdoor, underscore the theme of deception and the hidden truths beneath the Opera's surface.
Isolation and Otherness
Erik's ugliness and his life as a 'living corpse' at fairs, along with his separation from humanity, highlight his profound isolation and otherness.
Characters to notice
- Erik
Referred to as the Opera ghost; his skeleton is found near the little well, wearing a plain gold ring slipped on by Christine Daaé.
- Raoul de Chagny
Disappeared with Christine; initials 'R' and 'C' are carved in the Opera house.
- Christine Daaé
Disappeared with Raoul; buried Erik and slipped a ring on his finger.
- The Persian
The daroga who held the main proofs of Erik's existence and directed the narrator's inquiries.
- M. Poligny
Former manager of the Opera; superstitious and victimized by Erik's blackmail.
- Mame Giry
Mentioned in connection with the ghost's mysterious correspondence via the hollow column.
Key passages
“I have now told the singular, but veracious story of the Opera ghost.”
The narrator asserts that the story of the Opera ghost is both unusual and true.
Opening statement affirming the veracity of the tale.
“The skeleton was lying near the little well, in the place where the Angel of Music first held Christine Daaé fainting in his trembling arms, on the night when he carried her down to the cellars of the opera-house.”
Erik's skeleton was found by the well where he once carried Christine after she fainted.
Describes the location of Erik's remains.
“Erik wanted money. Thinking himself without the pale of humanity, he was restrained by no scruples and he employed his extraordinary gifts of dexterity and imagination, which he had received by way of compensation for his extraordinary ugliness, to prey upon his fellow-men.”
Erik, feeling excluded from humanity, used his talents to exploit others without remorse.
The Persian's explanation of Erik's motives.