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Introduction:
The Phantom of the Opera is one of the famous classic novels by a French author, Gaston Leroux. The story is set in the Palais Garnier Opera House, France. The book follows an opera singer, Christine Daae, who gets kidnapped in the middle of the show by Erik, the Phantom of the Opera. The book also introduces a love triangle between Christine, Erik, and Raoul, Christine’s love. The book was turned into several movies and musicals including Broadway shows. The Phantom of Opera is loved by many people globally.

Plot:
In the 1880s, strange events at the Paris Opera House led people to believe it was haunted by a Phantom, described as a dark figure with a skull-like face. On the last night of directors Debienne and Poligny, chaos erupts when ballerinas claim to see the Phantom. Shortly after, stagehand Joseph Buquet is found dead, raising suspicion about his death. That night, Christine Daaé, a little-known soprano, unexpectedly impresses the audience with her singing. Raoul, her childhood friend, tries to talk to her but feels jealous when he overhears her with another man. Christine eventually invites Raoul to meet her in Perros-Guirec, where they reminisce about their past. Raoul confesses his love, but Christine laughs and grows upset when he confronts her about the other man. She mentions the Angel of Music, but Raoul thinks she is joking. Later, Raoul follows Christine to a cemetery, where she seems to summon music. At the Opera, new directors ignore the Phantom’s letters, leading to chaos when Carlotta sings despite warnings. The Phantom punishes her, causing a chandelier to fall. After Christine disappears, Raoul searches for her and learns she believes in the Angel of Music. Raoul receives a letter from Christine inviting him to a masked ball, where they argue. Christine reveals her connection to Erik, the Phantom, who she thought was an angel. After Christine is abducted during a performance, Raoul teams up with the Persian to rescue her. In Erik’s lair, they learn about his tragic past. Erik gives Christine a choice: marry him or die. Moved by her compassion, he ultimately lets her and Raoul go. Erik dies, and the narrator later discovers his body wearing Christine’s ring, proving the Phantom’s existence.

Analysis:
The author used his firsthand experience to create the book’s setting. There was an actual rumor that the Palais Garnier Opera House was haunted during the 1880s, so he created a story based on the historical details of the Palais Garnier. The author also presents a love triangle between Erik, Christine, and Raoul. Arguably, Erik liked Christine because she was the only one who truly accepted who he was. The author also gave a twist at the end by Erik letting Christine and Raoul go even though he knew he was going to grieve. The relationship between Christine and Erik shows forbidden love. Christine fell in love with him but couldn’t be with him due to her circumstances. Erik also knew well that he had to let Christine go. They couldn’t be together whether they wanted to or not. Furthermore, the relationship between Christine and Raoul was special for they had known each other from when they were children. The book also introduces Box Five where Erik lives. It is an interesting detail because there was no Box Five. Erik’s perspective is also crucial to ponder about. His actions are questioning, as some were not ordinary humans. The book also covers Erik’s tragic past, which shows his painful experiences as a child in the opera house. Because of his face, he got hate from people including his own family which led him to mask his true identity and build Box Five to live in. He stays there every since and sometimes coming out to watch the opera show. Erik’s lair is a special place and a symbol to hiding place of his true identity. He liked Christine for she liked him for who he was. She was the only one who accepted Erik for who he was even though she saw his bare face.

Conclusion:
The Phantom of Opera is a famous classic romance and tragic novel by Gaston Leroux, a French author. It is one of the most well-known books that was made into musicals and broadway shows. The book is set in the Palais Garnier Opera House, presenting Christine Daae, a rising opera star, getting kidnapped by the opera’s ghost. She falls in love with the ghost of opera, Erik, along with her childhood friend, Raoul. They all experience a love triangle, and Raoul tries to save Christine from Erik. He learns about Erik’s tragic past which he shows sympathy for. Erik lets Christine and Raoul go at the end. The story portrays the author’s experience of the rumor of the ghost of opera and the complex relationship between Christine, Erik, and Raoul. The relationship between Christine and Raoul is friendship love while Christine and Erik’s relationship is forbidden love. The book also presents the theme of identity through Erik’s past. The author presents complex and contextual details throughout the book’s plot.