Having twice read "The Phantom of the Opera" by Gaston Leroux, as well as seeing the Andrew Lloyd Webber production on two separate occasions, I do not feel that Dan Higinbotham is correct in his assertion that the phantom of the opera personifies Satan.
The opera takes on the daunting task of staging a complex novel in two and a half hours. Consequently, things had to be edited that may have contributed to Mr. Higinbotham's assumptions.The character of the phantom is a man who has, since his birth, been despised or feared by all who see him--even his own mother. Having been treated like a freak and a monster since his childhood, he basically becomes a monster. He has rare musical talents and yes, he preys upon the misguided dreams of a talented young singer. His love for her, however distorted, drives him to deception and seduction. Once she realizes what he really is, she is no longer drawn to him, but instead she fears him. In the scene to which Mr. Higinbotham refers, the phantom steps out from behind Christine's father's gravestone, once again attempting to seduce her after he begins to lose his control. She ultimately rejects this advance. Mr. Higinbotham states that evil wins when the heroine is "lead carefully down to the phantom's lair." Not so. In the final scenes, Christine is taken there against her will. In the end, Christine is ready to sacrifice herself to save the man she loves. Consequently, she demonstrates human compassion for a man who has never received any.In reaction to her compassion, the phantom has a change of heart and allows her and Raoul to escape. Would Satan allow those he had lured to him to escape? I think not.
Yes, "The Phantom of the Opera" is a rather dark story. However, rather than glorifying Satan, it contrasts the effects of the evil side of human nature with innocence and human compassion. Mr. Higinbotham suggests that "sincere Christians [should] seriously consider . . . that [this
opera] mocks not only their own intelligence but all [they] hold most sacred."
Rather, those who see "Phantom" should consider their treatment of others. While we shouldn't succumb to evil influences or innocently allow ourselves to be seduced into moral danger, we should have the ability to show human compassion for those around us who are shunned and suffering. After all, isn't that what a true Christian would do?
Julie Fleming
Salt Lake City