"The Phantom of Manhattan" and "Phantom"

2023年04月30日

フレデリック・フォーサイスの「マンハッタンの怪人」とスーザン・ケイの「ファントム」は、いずれも「オペラ座の怪人」の続編あるいは派生作品と言える小説だが、両者には共通項があります。(English) Frederick Forsyth's "The Phantom of Manhattan" and Susan Kay's "Phantom" are both novels that can be described as sequels to "The Phantom of the Opera" or derivative works, and they have something in common.

"The Phantom of Manhattan" and "Phantom"

//Summary - Level-C2//

"The Phantom of Manhattan" and "Phantom" explore sequels and prequels to the original Phantom of the Opera. In "The Phantom of Manhattan," Erik becomes a millionaire in New York, reconnecting with Christine, who is married to Raoul. The story is told through various forms, such as memoirs and newspaper articles. "Phantom" delves into Erik's backstory, his relationship with his mother, and the love triangle between Christine and Raoul, ultimately revealing Erik as the father of Christine and Raoul's child.

"The Phantom of Manhattan" is a sequel to Lloyd Webber's musical version of the story, which is even more popular than Gaston Leroux's original novel.

The Phantom, Erik, who has moved from Paris to New York, has become a millionaire.

After financing a Coney Island amusement park, he builds an opera house. However, he does not show himself and exercises his power behind the scenes.

Once hidden in the basement of the Opera House, the Phantom now resides on the top floor of the EM Tower skyscraper, hinting at his rise.

Having gained power, the Phantom calls Christine, who was never married in Paris and approaches her again.

In this novel, the toy monkey, a music box and the key to the production in the Lloyd Webber version are effectively used as a souvenir linking the Phantom and Christine.

It also inherits the glamour and spookiness of the opera house by showing an amusement park that is closed during the off-season.

The Phantom makes Christine reappear in her opera and appears in it himself.

In the opera about the American Civil War, he plays a captain with a wounded face.

He dram dramatises the horror on his face.

On the other hand, Christine is married to Raoul, once a rival of the Phantom, and has a son.

However, the hidden truth is revealed that the father of her child was a monster and that Raul was incapable of having children.

This development is abrupt, and I cannot deny the impression that it is unexpected for the sake of being unpredictable to extend the story initially completed in the previous work.

What's more, this novel is written in the form of confessions, memoirs, newspaper articles, diaries, etc., and the point of view of the characters changes from chapter to chapter.

Suppose you write the psychology in the form of the main characters speaking for themselves instead of increasing the effect. In that case, the unnaturalness of the development will stand out, and it will look as if you have grown the parts that others are telling.

Therefore, it is understandable that "The Phantom of Manhattan" was not turned into a musical in its original form but was modified and staged as "Love Never Dies".

On the other hand, the first half of "Phantom" tells the prequel story from the birth of the Phantom, Eric, to his visit to Paris.

The second half fills in the gaps in the original Leroux and mentions Christine and Raoul's aftermath.

In paperback, the two volumes are long, with some lengthy passages, but the main character's psychology is explored in depth.

Eric's father was an architect and music lover.

His mother was also unsuccessful but was educated to perform in the opera theatre.

His father and mother influence Eric's musical tastes and feelings for Christine.

Her mother, who is pregnant with Eric, kicks her baby in the stomach while saying, "Nobody listens to you, you bastard!".

Her mother's friends were worried that it would be bad luck to talk about an unborn child in this way. But she hit the mark, and an ugly monster was born.

10)

In this way, the "Phantom" is prepared for something like the fate of birth.

A widowed mother is too ugly to love her son.

His loving mother cannot kiss a masked Eric.

11)

He grows up to be a being with the face of a devil and the voice of an angel (in The Phantom of the Opera, he was called both the Phantom and the Angel of Music).

Eric, who had learnt ventriloquism, hummed a porcelain doll of a shepherd boy, and his mother loved the beauty.

The mother finds her lover, but her mixed feelings for her son drive her mad.

But when Eric is about to be put in an asylum, he breaks the doll and runs away.

12)

The priest treated Eric like an exorcism because he looked like a demon.

And his dog was killed by those who despised him.

After learning that non-human dogs were not given life after death, he also hated God.

Why did the Phantom in "The Phantom of the Opera" have such a personality? And why did he compose "The Triumphant Don Giovanni"? In "Phantom", it goes back and creates that reason.

13)

The best part is when he is reunited with his dead mother.

Eric didn't kiss her because he knew she didn't want to.

He also understands why she rejected him.

14)

His mother's death made her ugly.

In other words, the film explains that the monster's appearance is as ugly as "death", which disgusts people.

This is probably an interpretation based on Eric wearing the Red Death mask at the masquerade ball in "The Phantom of the Opera".

15)

The love triangle between Eric, Raoul and Christine is also written.

Christine is said to have been born in the year of her mother's death, reinforcing the superimposition of her image.

On the other hand, Christine, whose heart flutters between the two men, treats Raoul coldly, but he doesn't take her seriously.

Raoul, too, is persistent, and not only Eric but Raoul also looks like a stalker.

16)

The mother asked Eric what he wanted. Eric wanted a kiss but was refused by her mother.

Eric gets a kiss from Christine, who asks the same question as her mother.

The Phantom of the Opera and Christine only kissed each other on the forehead.

But Christine, in Phantom, puts her lips on his face and kisses him.

17)

In The Phantom, Eric is said to have moved his mother's bed to the basement of the opera house, where he dies.

Such a twisted love-hate relationship with my mother reminds me of a mother complex.

18)

And "Phantom", like "The Phantom of Manhattan", Christine and Raoul eventually got married. However, Christine and Raoul's child has Eric as their birth father.

In Leroux's original and Lloyd-Webber's versions of The Phantom of the Opera, the Phantom was shaken by Christine's kiss.

It is, therefore, questionable whether it is consistent with the unexpected development that the two people have crossed the last line.

19)

However, Christine's actions in her love triangle are not only one-sidedly haunted by Eric but also have a side of getting closer.

Because of her ambivalent attitude, sequels and spin-offs have been written, reinterpreting the relationship between the three.

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Q1. Eric had an ugly face that needed a mask and a beautiful singing voice. Eric's mother could only love his singing voice.

Christine married Raoul, but Eric was the birth father of her child. Although she loved Eric, she chose to stay with Raul.

Maybe it could happen to anyone. But, even if you are a parent and child or husband and wife, not all of them can love each other.

If you look at it from a different perspective, it's natural, and it can't be helped.

Artists, especially, have a keen sense. Is it possible for them to have human happiness while possessing genius talent?

A1-> Eric's ugly face and beautiful singing voice created a complex relationship with his mother, who could only love his voice. Despite having a child with Eric, Christine's decision to marry Raoul illustrates that love can be complicated and not always straightforward.

It is common for relationships, even between family members or spouses, to have challenges. Love and acceptance can be complex and vary from person to person.

Artists and musicians often possess heightened sensitivity, which may influence their relationships and personal happiness. Genius talent can bring joy and struggle, and artists can find happiness, although it may not follow a conventional path.

Q2. It seems that Eric and Raoul only think about their feelings and don't think about Christine's. Also, Christine cannot choose one or the other and ends up hurting both.

Not all the characters lack or make up for each other, but we can learn a lot from this story.

For example, when we leave our parents, graduate from school, get married, or experience illness or bereavement, we are all shocked.

Do you think it is possible to rethink your upbringing and personality at some point in your life without blaming it on your parents or circumstances?

A2-> Eric and Raoul's focus on their feelings highlights the complexity of human relationships, where individuals may struggle to consider others' perspectives. Christine's inability to choose demonstrates the difficulty of making decisions in emotional situations.

Life events, such as leaving parents, graduating, marriage, illness, or grief, can be shocking and transformative. However, it is possible to reassess and grow from these experiences without blaming parents or circumstances. By reflecting on one's upbringing and personality, individuals can take responsibility for their actions and choices, fostering personal growth and resilience. Recognising the influence of past experiences without assigning blame allows for a healthier, more constructive approach to self-improvement.

Q3. At some point, we can choose our personality and way of life for ourselves, not because of it, without blaming it on our parents or circumstances.

What specific approaches can be taken?

For example, reading good books and articles, talking to people you admire, doing yoga or therapy, and getting in touch with religion or nature might be good.

In particular, good artists with acute senses may suffer from the gap between their daily lives and beautiful works if they are born in unfavourable circumstances.

Please list five methods that are especially effective for great artists and tell me the advantages and disadvantages.

A3-> Great artists, like anyone else, can choose their personality and way of life through self-reflection and personal development. Here are five methods that can be particularly effective for artists, along with their advantages and disadvantages:

1. Engaging in self-reflection and journaling:

Advantages: Artists can better understand their thoughts, emotions, and experiences by writing them down, gaining insight into their creative process and personal growth.

Disadvantages: It can be time-consuming and require consistent effort for the best results.

2. Seeking mentorship or joining an artistic community:

Advantages: Artists can learn from others, gain new perspectives, and receive feedback, fostering growth and development.

Disadvantages: Finding the right mentor or community might be challenging, requiring vulnerability and openness to criticism.

3. Practising mindfulness and meditation:

Advantages: Mindfulness and meditation can help artists manage stress, improve focus, and enhance creativity.

Disadvantages: These practices require discipline and patience and may not produce immediate results.

4. Pursuing personal development through workshops, courses, or therapy:

Advantages: Artists can acquire new skills, gain self-awareness, and address emotional issues that may impact their creativity.

Disadvantages: These approaches may require financial investment and not always produce immediate or tangible results.

5. Engaging in diverse experiences and travel:

Advantages: Exposure to new cultures, people, and environments can inspire creativity and broaden artists' perspectives.

Disadvantages: Travel can be expensive and time-consuming, and it may take time to see the effects on an artist's work.

Each method offers unique benefits and challenges, but they all provide opportunities for artists to grow, evolve, and find fulfilment in their personal and professional lives.

"The Phantom of the Opera" 35th anniversary Shiki Theater Company, from the Japan premiere

https://nordot.app/1024963144373813248

The world-famous musical The Phantom of the Opera celebrated the 35th anniversary of its premiere in Japan by the Shiki Theatre Company on January 29, 2023. On January 29, a special curtain call was held at the Osaka Shiki Theatre (Kita Ward, Osaka City), where the show was performed. The cast expressed their heartfelt thanks to every member of the audience for their generous support.

According to the Shiki Theatre Company, the show premiered in Japan on April 29, 1988, in Tokyo, af29 Aprilormances in the UK and the US, and performed in 10 cities. More than 7.8 million people have seen the show, and the number of performances is expected to reach 8,000 by the end of May this year. The Thousand Autumns performance in Osaka will take place on August 27 t.

"The Phantom 27 Augustera" ends Broadway's most extended 35-year history

https://jp.reuters.com/article/broadway-phantom-final-show-idJPKBN2WE1NJ.

[NEW YORK (Reuters)]—The popular Broadway musical "The Phantom of the Opera" in New York, USA, came to an end on April 166, 2023. O16 April is the longest in Broadway history. It has been performed about 14,000 times and won over 70 major awards.

Set in the 19th century, it is a tragic love story in which Christine, an aspiring opera singer, grows up under the guidance of a mysterious man, the Phantom. It has been popular since its Broadway debut in 1988, but it was decided to close last year due to a sharp drop in ticket sales.

Andrew Lloyd Webber, who was in charge of the music, said to the entire audience after the final performance, "There is no performance better than this."

On this day, the original cast, including English singer Sarah Brightman, packed the theatre and went on stage. "This work was written to understand love, passion, and the human soul," Brightman said.

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"The Phantom of Manhattan" and "Phantom"