The Phantom of the Opera · Chapter
The Enchanted Violin explained
Christine Daaé withdraws from public performances after her triumph, citing fear and a sense of lost control.
What happens
Christine Daaé withdraws from public performances after her triumph, citing fear and a sense of lost control. She writes to Raoul de Chagny, inviting him to Perros for the anniversary of her father's death. Raoul travels to Perros, where they meet and he confesses his love, but Christine is evasive and distressed. Later, Raoul follows her to the churchyard at midnight, hears a divine violin playing, and witnesses a mysterious shadow with a death's head, which causes him to faint.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Sacrifice
Raoul's devoted journey to Perros and his confession of love contrast with Christine's fearful and evasive response, highlighting the tension between love and personal sacrifice.
Superstition and Rationality
The supernatural violin music at the graveyard and the appearance of a death's head challenge rational explanations, blending superstition with the characters' experiences.
Isolation and Otherness
Christine's withdrawal from society and her mysterious behavior, along with the eerie events in the churchyard, emphasize her isolation and the otherness of the unseen forces around her.
Characters to notice
- Christine Daaé
Withdraws from public performances, writes to Raoul, meets him in Perros, and prays at her father's grave.
- Raoul de Chagny
Travels to Perros after Christine's letter, confesses his love, follows her to the churchyard, and encounters a terrifying apparition.
- Daddy Daaé
Christine's deceased father, a great violinist, buried in Perros; his violin is heard playing at midnight.
- Mamma Valérius
Christine's guardian after her father's death, with whom she continues to live.
- Comte de Chagny
Raoul's brother, who had done his best on Christine's behalf with M. Richard.
- Professor Valérius
Discovered Christine and her father at Ljimby Fair, providing for her education and instruction.
Key passages
“I don't know myself when I sing”
Christine feels disconnected from her own singing, as if she has lost control of her voice.
Expresses Christine's fear and loss of agency after her triumph.
“I have not forgotten the little boy who went into the sea to rescue my scarf.”
Christine recalls Raoul's childhood act of bravery in saving her scarf from the sea.
Shows Christine's lingering fondness for Raoul and her attempt to reconnect with the past.
“I saw a terrible death's head, which darted a look at me from a pair of scorching eyes.”
Raoul describes a horrifying skull-like face with burning eyes that he encountered in the church.
Highlights the supernatural and terrifying nature of the figure, likely the Opera Ghost.