# Faust and What Followed explained — The Phantom of the Opera

> Chapter companion for The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux.

## What happens

During a performance of Faust, Carlotta's voice suddenly croaks like a toad, causing chaos. The managers, Richard and Moncharmin, feel the ghost's presence in Box Five and hear him threaten that the chandelier will fall. The chandelier crashes into the audience, killing the concierge who replaced Mame Giry.

## Themes in this chapter

### Superstition and Rationality

The audience and managers interpret Carlotta's croak as supernatural, linking it to the ghost's curse.

### Deception and Secrecy

The ghost's hidden presence in Box Five and the anonymous letters to Carlotta demonstrate hidden forces at work.

## Character check-ins

### La Carlotta

Sings Margarita but her voice croaks, leading to disaster.

### M. Firmin Richard

One of the managers; experiences the ghost's presence and hears the threat about the chandelier.

### Armand Moncharmin

The other manager; shares Richard's terror during the performance.

### Erik

The Opera Ghost; causes Carlotta's croak and threatens the chandelier's fall.

### Raoul de Chagny

Mentioned as receiving a letter from Christine and being in distress.

### Christine Daaé

Referenced in Raoul's thoughts and as the subject of Carlotta's jealousy.

## Key lines

> Carlotta croaked like a toad: " Co-ack! "

Carlotta's voice suddenly made a harsh, frog-like sound.

_This marks the ghost's interference during the performance._

> She is singing tonight to bring the chandelier down!

The ghost declares that Carlotta's performance will cause the chandelier to fall.

_This threat is heard by the managers and precedes the crash._

> The chandelier, the immense mass of the chandelier was slipping down, coming toward them, at the call of that fiendish voice.

The massive chandelier descended from the ceiling as if summoned by the ghost's voice.

_The chandelier crashes into the audience, killing the concierge._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_phantom_of_the_opera_se/chapters/vii-faust-and-what-followed
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_phantom_of_the_opera_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_phantom_of_the_opera_se/chapters