The Phantom of the Opera

Guided Notes
About the Author:
GASTON __________________: French _______________________ author
(1868-1927)
Worked as _______________________- enjoyed ______________________
(travelled to Africa, Asia, all around Europe
Personal life: had a 17 year long __________________- finally married Jeanne
Cayette- ____________ kids
Phantom not _____________________ or popular until after the movie came
out in ___________; since then there have been several film versions, and it
gained great popularity through _____________________________ 1988
musical

100 Years of Phantom http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OW2ZzZgi6E

Describe the most memorable scenes:

Write down one or two powerful quotes

__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
What is the theme here?

Influences:
__________________________________
Romanticism
Tour of the ___________________________
Beauty and the Beast
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
_________________________

Gothic Literature:
Late ________Century popularized in England
Setting in a castle or large old house with many levels and
_________________________________-; frightening scenery
_________________, suspenseful atmosphere (created by language of mystery,
terror, surprise, anger, etc.)
Prophecies/___________________
Omens, Visions, ________________________
________________________________/unexplained events
Overwrought ________________________
Innocent woman threatened by ________________ _________________
The Uncanny (familiar yet foreign; ___________________ objects are
threatening or frightening- one is attracted to, yet repulsed by something at
the same time)
Faust
Faust _________________ for years without _________________
He makes a _________________ with the __________________who will serve
him at the cost of his soul
The devil lies, tricks, _________________________
Faust ____________________and __________________ a beautiful innocent
_____________________
Today we often associate Faust characters with those whose
___________________ and arrogance lead to self-_______________________.

Character List:

Description (complete while reading)

__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________

Symbols and Motifs:

______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________

PICK FOUR and describe their significance

after reading:

Themes:
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________

After reading, PICK ONE and discuss the

development below:

Key to Guided Notes/ Characters, Motifs, Themes:

GASTON LEROUX: French mystery/detective author (1868-1927)
Worked as journalist- enjoyed travel/adventure (travelled to Africa,
Asia, all around Europe
Personal life: had a 17 year long affair- finally married Jeanne
Cayette- 2 kids
Phantom not well-received or popular until after the movie came out
in 1925; since then there have been several film versions, and it
gained great popularity through Andrew Lloyd Webbers 1988
musical

Influences
The Gothic Tradition
Tour of the Paris Opera House
Romanticism
Beauty and the Beast
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Faust

Gothic Lit
Late 18th Century popularized in England
Setting in a castle or large old house with many levels and secret
passageways; frightening scenery
Dark, suspenseful atmosphere (created by language of mystery,
terror, surprise, anger, etc.)
Prophecies/Legends
Omens, Visions, Curses
Supernatural/unexplained events
Overwrought emotion
Innocent woman threatened by evil man
The Uncanny (familiar yet foreign; normal objects are threatening or
frightening- one is attracted to, yet repulsed by something at the
same time)
Faust
Faust studies for years without success

 He makes a pact with the devil who will serve him at the cost of soul
The devil lies, tricks, deceives
Faust seduces and corrupts a beautiful innocent girl
Faust and Phantom
Today we often associate Faust characters with those who pride and
arrogance lead to self-destruction.
a genius whose power is fueled by dark creative energy; two
souls bursting with knowledge bound by hate for humanity
The play is used
Characters
Carlotta
Christine
Raoul
Erik
Moncharmin
Richard
Madame Giry
Madame Valerius
The Persian
Motifs/Symbols
Appearance vs Reality
Trap doors
Box 5
The Deaths Head
The Fire Head
Murder
Music
Mirrors
Masks
The Ring
Themes
Art vs Artifice
Arts connection to suffering
Social rejection/ The Other
Desire for love and social acceptance
Loves transforming/redeeming power
Evil- are we born evil or does something happen to us?

Name: _________________________________
The Phantom of the Opera Journal 1
Do you believe in ghosts? Explain (with examples) why or why not.

________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

Name: _______________________________
The Phantom of the Opera Journal 2
What does it mean for a person to be truly evil? Do you believe that
pure evil exists, or does everyone have a little good in them? Where do
you believe evil comes from? Is evil necessary in order for there to be
good?
Finally, is there a cure for evil? If so, what is it? If no, why not?
EXPLAIN and GIVE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES.

________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

Name: ______________________
The Phantom of the Opera Journal 3
Erik is often referred to as a monster, and he separates himself
from the world of humans.
What does it mean to be human? What is it (if anything) that makes
human beings different from really smart animals? Is Erik human or
monster?
Explain with examples.

________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

Name: _________________________
The Phantom of the Opera Journal 4
Does love really have the power to change a person? Explain
(with examples) why or why not.

________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

Name: _________________________
The Phantom of the Opera Journal 5
In The Phantom of the Opera, the importance of beauty and physical
appearance is explored.
a. In YOUR opinion, what does it mean to be beautiful?
b. In our culture of contemporary America, what does the media
portray as beautiful?
c. How important is it to be beautiful in our culture?
d. How do your own views of beauty compare to those of our
culture?

________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

The Phantom of the Opera: Gothic Element Analysis

INSTRUCTIONS: Complete the following chart by citing examples of the following
elements from The Phantom of the Opera.

Gothic Element
Setting in a castle. The action takes place
in and around an old castle, sometimes
seemingly abandoned, sometimes
occupied. The castle often contains secret
passages, trap doors, secret rooms, dark
or hidden staircases, and possibly ruined
sections. The castle may be near or
connected to caves, which lend their
own haunting flavor with their
branchings, claustrophobia, and
mystery.
An atmosphere of mystery and
suspense. The work is pervaded by a
threatening feeling, a fear enhanced by
the unknown. Often the plot itself is
built around a mystery, such as
unknown parentage, a disappearance, or
some other inexplicable event. Elements
3, 4, and 5 below contribute to this
atmosphere.
An ancient prophecy is connected with
the castle or its inhabitants (either former
or present). The prophecy is usually
obscure, partial, or confusing. "What
could it mean?" In more watered down
modern examples, this may amount to
merely a legend: "It's said that the ghost
of old man Krebs still wanders these
halls."
Omens, portents, visions. A character
may have a disturbing dream vision, or
some phenomenon may be seen as a
portent of coming events. For example, if
the statue of the lord of the manor falls
over, it may portend his death. In
modern fiction, a character might see

EXAMPLES- Paraphrase and QUOTE

Page #

something (a shadowy figure stabbing

another shadowy figure) and think that
it was a dream. This might be thought of
as an "imitation vision."
Supernatural or otherwise inexplicable
events. Dramatic, amazing events occur,
such as ghosts or giants walking, or
inanimate objects (such as a suit of armor
or painting) coming to life. In some
works, the events are ultimately given a
natural explanation, while in others the
events are truly supernatural.
High, even overwrought emotion. The
narration may be highly sentimental,
and the characters are often overcome by
anger, sorrow, surprise, and especially,
terror. Characters suffer from raw nerves
and a feeling of impending doom.
Crying and emotional speeches are
frequent. Breathlessness and panic are
common.
Women in distress. As an appeal to the
pathos and sympathy of the reader, the
female characters often face events that
leave them fainting, terrified, screaming,
and/or sobbing. The women suffer all
the more because they are often
abandoned, left alone (either on purpose
or by accident), and have no protector at
times.
Women threatened by a powerful,
impulsive, tyrannical male. One or more
male characters has the power, as king,
lord of the manor, father, or guardian, to
demand that one or more of the female
characters do something intolerable. The
woman may be commanded to marry
someone she does not love (it may even
be the powerful male himself), or
commit a crime.

Name: ________________________________________________

Period: _______

The Phantom of the Opera

(75 points)

PART 1: Fill in the blanks (2 points each):

(12 possible points)

1. _____________________________________ wrote this book.

2. The story takes place in the city of _______________________.
3. The ___________________________ falls on Madame Girys replacement.
4. The owners of the theater must save Box __________ for the Phantom.
5. Raoul saved a ________________________________ from the ocean for Christine.
6. The theater owner tries to use a ________________________ in his pocket to prevent
the OG from stealing their money.

PART 2: Matching (2 points each)

1. ________ Carlotta
Paris
2. ________ Christine
3. ________ Raoul
4. ________ Erik
5. _______ Moncharmin
6. _______ Madame Giry
Phantom
7. _______ Madame Valerius
8. _______ The Persian

(16 points possible)

A. the only person who knew Erik before he came to

B. cares for Christine and her father
C. the trap-door lover
D. a diva
E. one of the new Opera owners
F. delivers money and correspondence to the
G. awaits the Angel of Music
H. passes out in a graveyard

PART 3: Multiple Choice (1 point each)

possible points)

(22

1. _____ After the Preface which asserts the Phantom is real, Chapter 1 begins with
a. ballerinas talking about seeing the ghost
b. Christines history travelling with her father
c. Erik as a child
d. the auctioning of a music box

2. ______ Joseph Buquet is found dead by _______________________

a. gunshot
b. poison
c. hanging
d. drowning
3. _____ After Christine performs Carlottas role like an angel for the first time,
a. she faints
b. she disappears
c. she gives thanks to the Phantom
d. she is arrested for witchcraft
4. _____ Christines father played the ___________________________.
a. cello
b. trumpet
c. violin
d. oboe
5. _____ When the new owners first learn of the OGs demands, they
a. create a bank account for his monthly stipend
b. treat it as a practical joke
c. become furious
d. hire Ghosthunters to investigate the paranormal activity
6. _____ After Carlotta receives a letter demanding she not perform, she
a. claims Christine is conspiring against her
b. performs anyway
c. croaks like a frog onstage
d. all of the above
7. _____ Christine first travels to Eriks house
a. through a trap door
b. by kidnapping
c. through a mirror
d. from the roof of the Opera house
8. _____ Erik is working on a masterpiece called
a. Don Quixote
b. Les Miserables
c. Moonlight Sonata
d. Don Juan Triumphant
9. _____ After Christine sees Eriks face, she
a. burns the mask
b. begs for mercy
c. says she will come back to see him
d. both A and C

10. _____ The chapter that takes place on top of the Opera house is called
a. All I Ask of You
b. The Phantom of the Opera
c. Eriks Promise
d. Apollos Lyre
11. _____ Raoul shoots a ____________________ in the middle of the night, thinking it is
Erik
a. raccoon
b. cat
c. rat
d. peasant
12. _____ The police tell Raoul that _________________ is the prime suspect in
Christines kidnapping.
a. Erik
b. Raouls brother
c. Raoul
d. Richard
13. _____ Raoul and the Persian discover that the fiery face belongs to
a. the rat-catcher
b. Erik
c. a retired-scene shifter
d. Moncharmin
14. _____ We find out that the Phantom told Madame Giry that
a. he would make her rich one day
b. he would kill her if she didnt do as he says
c. her daughter would become an empress
d. she would become an opera star
15. _____ The Persian has his assistant bring him _________ become going
underground
a. a Punjab lasso
b. a pistol
c. a copy of the Koran
d. a tic tac
16. _____ Erik learned the trick of the siren singing through the reeds from
a. the circus
b. a soprano
c. pirates
d. Christines father
17. _____ Erik first created a torture room in Persia to
a. punish prisoners of war
b. show off his skills of illusion
c. escape his own death
d. entertain a young sultana

18. _____ Erik taught the young sultana to

a. sing like an angel
b. strangle with the Punjab lasso
c. read
d. use ventriloquism
19. _____ The torture room becomes very
a. hot
b. cold
c. loud
d. quiet
20. _____ The barrels are full of
a. sulfuric acid
b. water
c. ice
d. gunpowder
21. ______ Christine chooses the ______________________
a. grasshopper
b. scorpion
c. Punjab lasso
d. pistol
22. _____ At the end of the story,
a. the Persian purchases the music box
b. Erik lays a rose on Christines grave
c. Erik hangs himself from the new chandelier
d. a corpse is found wearing a single gold ring
Short Answer Questions (5 points each)
Be CLEAR and SPECIFIC. Write 1-2 COMPLETE sentences.

(25 possible points)

1. Explain the importance of the Angel of Music. (where Christine first heard of it,
what it does, how it affects her relationship with Erik)

2.

Describe the torture room IN DETAIL. What all was in it?

3.

Why did the Shah order Eriks death?

4. Who is the other one killed by Eriks Siren while he has Christine prisoner and
Raoul and the Persian are in the torture chamber?
5. Explain the connection of this play with the legend of Faust.

TEST ANSWER KEY:

Part 1:
1. Gaston Leroux
2. Paris
3. Chandelier
4. 5
5. Scarf
6. Safety pin
PART 2:
1. D
2. G
3. H
4. C
5. E
6. F
7. B
8. A
PART 3:
1. A
2. C
3. A
4. C
5. B
6. D
7. C
8. D
9. D
10. D
11. B
12. B
13. A
14. C
15. B
16. C
17. D
18. B
19. A
20. D
21. B
22. D
Short Answer

1. Must include background with father- inspiration of true art- belief that Erik is A
of Music
2. Must mention mirrors, tree, rope
3. Didnt want him to replicate the palace
4. Brother of Raoul
5. Answers will vary- should discuss deal with the devil- usage of the play in the
novel; Eriks as an evil genius; Christines selling her soul

Phantom of the Opera Essay

REQUIREMENTS:
A completed outline
Introduction with adequate background information that leads up to a thesis
Clear, concise thesis statement that argues a specific point- HIGHLIGHTED
At least two body paragraphs that defend the thesis
o Topic Sentence that relates back to thesis
o Three specific examples from the text per paragraph (AT LEAST 2 DIRECT
QUOTES and another quote or paraphrase- ALL 3 DOCUMENTED WITH
PAGE NUMBER)
o Integrate each example smoothly, and explain its significance and
connection to the thesis in at least 1-2 sentences
o Total of 8+ sentences per paragraph
A thoughtful conclusion that ties your essay to a broad topic about the nature of
our world and/or places your argument in a larger context
PROMPT: Define Gothic literature, and examine how The Phantom of the Opera
exemplifies the genre through plot elements and/or language. (Pick a few key
characteristics to focus on; do not try to use every one of them).
What an in-text citation looks like:
After Dorian rejects Sibyl Vane, he wander[s] through dimly lit streets, past gaunt,
black-shadowed archways and evil-looking houses (Wilde 92).
[** Once you have used the authors name once, you dont need to put it in parentheses
again unless you switch authors]