Anguish

Lately I’ve been focusing on a different authorship and was pondering Erik’s anguish. Remembering words, penned by Leroux, shook me once again and shed light upon his pain that I’ve never pondered before. Both of these quotes of Christine come from the scene of Erik’s unmasking in front of her and painfully speak of the anguish of his soul. It’s Erik’s suffering.

"Yes, if I lived to be a hundred, I should always hear the superhuman cry of grief and rage which he uttered when the terrible sight appeared before my eyes....”

"He had let go of me at last and was dragging himself about on the floor, uttering terrible sobs…”

I happened to pick up the Bible this week, which I sometimes do, and oddly was drawn to the Book of Job. It's not the most uplifting book to read. It focuses on one man who loses everything – family, possessions, and health and enters into an extremely painful season in his life. It’s a book of anguish and suffering penned thousands of years ago. As I read passages, they flew off the page as the voice of Erik expressing his anguish in my ears.

Consider the following quotes cursing his existence:

"…opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth. Let the day perish on which I was to be born, and the night which said, A boy is conceived. May that day be darkness; Let not God above care for it, Nor light shine on it.” (Job 3:1-4)

"I loathe my very life; therefore I will give free rein to my complaint and speak out in the bitterness of my soul.” (Job 10:1)

Consider his questions why:

"Why did I not perish at birth, and die as I came from the womb?" (Job 3:11)

"Why then did you bring me out of the womb? I wish I had died before any eye saw me.
If only I had never come into being, or had been carried straight from the womb to the grave!" (Job 10:18-19)

"Why is light given to those in misery, and life to the bitter of soul, to those who long for death that does not come, who search for it more than for hidden treasure, who are filled with gladness and rejoice when they reach the grave? (Job 3:20-22)

Human suffering is not a topic we care to focus upon, but when we look at Erik, he is truly a picture of human suffering and anguish. His extreme pain is evident in his actions and heard in the cry of his sobs.

We all experience various forms of suffering and anguish in our lives. It is true, some experience more than others. Throughout the ages, humans have called it by many names: your cross to bear, your lot in life, fate dealing you a rotten hand, bad karma, etc. Whatever term you give it, whether you are religious or a non-believer, anguish and suffering is as universal as the air we breathe.

Although we can empathize with those who suffer, we cannot bear the anguish or pains of another. I cannot imagine the totality of Erik’s anguished soul or the deep affect it had on his psyche. Like you, I can only read about it, see it portrayed on stage and film, and ponder what he must have felt. His anguish is his own. “Each heart knows its own bitterness…” (Proverbs 14:10)

Unfortunately, we are not given reasons for our anguish and pain. We often ask why. I know I’m not the only one to lift my head to the heavens and question, in fact demand a reason behind my own personal sufferings. No doubt, we have all heard the same silence. We can only speculate, or like Job’s friends, be judged by others for why we suffer.

We could ask the same questions about Erik. Why was he burdened with such a horrid deformity and relegated to a life of suffering and rejection? On the other hand, we could also ask why was he blessed with such marvelous musical genius in return?

That, my friend, is the humanity of the story that touches our hearts. It’s here at this point of anguish we all relate in some way. As a result, we are profoundly drawn to The Phantom of the Opera, which grips our hearts and will not let go.

Sincerely,
The Phantom’s Student

Project Runway vs The World Series of Poker

Over the next few weeks I'm going to compare and contrast two of my favorite shows...Project Runway and The World Series Of Poker.

A frivolous yet fun adventure that will ultimately amount to very little except the passing of time in a hopefully enjoyable way.

I have no idea how this will turn out...heck I have no idea where I'm even going to start but I'm doing it anyway.

I'm might consult a couple of friends like Sammy The Dentist (see the link below) and even take suggestions from you guys out there...so write in and let me know your thoughts.

www.sammythedentist.net

The Horror Of It All

As I focus on Leroux the second half of my blog, one element I haven’t talked about before is horror. Le Fantôme de l'Opéra falls within the genre of Gothic literature, which inherently includes the elements of both horror and romance combined together.

Leroux’s book is filled with instances of extreme emotion, fearfulness, ghosts, dark cellars, danger, death, decay, disfigurement, and a madman the Persian calls a monster. On top of that, we have elements of kidnapping, captivity, bondage, torture, strangulation, and death.

The setting is dark and mysterious. A ghost lives in the cellars underneath the Opera House and sleeps in a coffin. The path to his lair is filled with dark creepy corridors, dangerous trap doors, and an ominous lake that takes lives.

Leroux weaves symbolism throughout the book touching on the darker side. There are references to hell, damnation, graveyards, and the devil. Even another horror writer, Edgar Allen Poe’s work, Red Death, is woven into the story. I’m sure if you look hard enough, you can find many more symbols of horror throughout with the intent to frighten the reader.

As I write this blog, I’m back to my curiosity of human behavior. You know, I’ve termed The Phantom of the Opera my psychological playground, and this is definitely one that takes me to the sandbox.

So what is it about the genre of horror fiction that attracts us for entertainment purposes? We love to watch aliens invade earth, vampires sucking blood out of necks, monsters on rampages, and ugly men capture beautiful girls dragging them to their lair. Theaters entertain people with thrills of chain saw massacres and humans eating humans. Gothic novels about the darker side of horror and romance are big business, as well as films that dabble on the dark side.

Perhaps it’s the adrenalin rush we get having the daylights scared out of us or it is true that human nature loves darkness rather than light. I’m sure, unless you’re a little psycho yourself, you really wouldn’t wish to be on the receiving end of some of these horrific acts. Frankly, I don’t think I would have liked being kidnapped and dragged down to the Opera House cellars and bound by a disfigured madman who could blow me to smithereens!

As for Gothic literature, it appears we like to throw in the element of romance to smooth the rough edges of horror itself. The character gives in to the darker side and falls in love with the creepy guy with a mask or the blood sucking vampire. Somehow, I guess that makes it better and appeals to those women who love those bad-boys or their captors.

Whatever the reason, The Phantom of the Opera is a classic Gothic romance and horror literature. It contains all the elements of fright and love mixed together. On August 22 we'll be discussing the horror element of the story on All Things Phantom on BlogTalkRadio. I'm curious what others think about the subject, and I hope you'll join us.

The Phantom's Student

All Things Phantom on BlogTalkRadio

Soup Kitchen Inc.

So I was spending some time the other day with a good friend who has an amazing company called Soup Kitchen Inc. I asked him what he was up to lately and he said;

"I'm trying to stop world hunger."

To elaborate, Jamie Klein is a chef and most recently an entrepreneur. He's worked on some major movies (some of my favorites) and as he says in his website bio, the most memorable meals he's made are the ones he's given away.

Basically for every portion of soup that is sold (and they are yummy soups) Soup Kitchen donates an equal portion to someone in need through local and regional food banks. It's not money...it's actual food.

I urge you to take a look at the website and see what you can do to help.

I've work my entire life for various charitable organizations from trying to put an end to Human Trafficking at events with LA Sheriff Lee Baca, to becoming a member of the Artists Committee for The Actor's Fund, to Red Cross fund raising with "Sing In For America" with Hershey Felder after 9/11 and more. The list goes on so I won't bore you...I enjoy giving, I enjoy trying to make a difference even if in my own little way.

I am humbled by the efforts of someone like Jamie who has committed his life and work to this cause. It made me reevaluate my place in life. On my way home I began to think, what more can I do? What can WE do?

I have a roof over my head, and amazing family, a terrific career and incredible friends...it's time for me to give even more. So thank you Jamie for the inspiration.

So come on folks...log onto the site and buy some soup. You won't just be feeding your body, you'll be feeding your soul...and most importantly the belly of someone you might not even know.

Soup Kitchen Inc.

Doubt

Not long ago, I rented a movie entitled “Doubt,” staring Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman. The movie contains a powerful message and an ending that I frankly found haunting. The theme, of course, is doubt and the power it possesses.

Leroux skillfully wields doubt throughout the Phantom of the Opera. He uses it in various forms. His characters express their uncertainty, distrust, and skepticism over certain matters, and he speaks of his own doubts as well. Let’s take a look at a few instances.

Raoul is one character riddled with doubt over Christine. He doubts her love, the truth behind her statements, and even her virtuous conduct as a woman. The most glaring doubt he harbors is whether or not she truly loves him. It’s quite obvious, her words say one thing, but her actions display another. As a result, Raoul expresses his doubts.

"I doubted your love for me, during those hours."

Though Christine tries to assure him his doubts are unfounded because she acted out of fright with regard to Erik, Raoul continues to question her sincerity.

"You are frightened...but do you love me?
If Erik were good-looking, would you love me, Christine?"

Of course, then comes the infamous kiss between Christine and Raoul on the rooftop as she attempts to convince him of her love. Was Raoul convinced or did he still harbor his doubts?

Christine harbored her own doubts over Raoul’s ability to free her from Erik’s influence. As they ascended to the rooftop, Leroux says she entertained the possibility and allowed herself this doubt. What doubt? Apparently, she was convinced that no one could save her from Erik’s power, and for one brief moment she allowed herself to believe that there could be freedom, rather than doubting.

"I will remove you from his power, Christine, I swear it. And you shall not think of him any more." "Is it possible?" She allowed herself this doubt, which was an encouragement….”

Philippe, as we all know, vehemently opposed the union between Raoul and Christine. Did he have doubts that Raoul was totally crazy for loving Christine? Apparently, but when he attempts to run away and elope with her, Philippe’s doubts are dispelled and he truly thinks his brother is mad!

“And the count, who no longer entertained any doubt of his brother's madness, in his turn darted into that infernal underground maze.”

Of course, the most doubt expressed in the story swirls around the Opera Ghost, our dear Erik. A few of our characters have their doubts about Erik. It takes Christine’s disappearance for Raoul to no longer doubt Erik’s power:

"Raoul's first thought, after Christine Daae's fantastic disappearance, was to accuse Erik. He no longer doubted the almost supernatural powers of the Angel of Music, in this domain of the Opera in which he had set up his empire."

The managers at first doubted the antics of the Ghost, until they were finally convinced of his powers as well.

"Richard and Moncharmin turned pale. There was no longer any doubt about the witchcraft. 'The ghost!' muttered Moncharmin."

The Persian often doubted Erik’s words. Regarding the fate of Christine and Raoul, it took tears to convince him otherwise:

"The Persian asked him no questions. He was quite reassured as to the fate of Raoul Chagny and Christine Daae; no one could have doubted the word of the weeping Erik that night."

Our author is definitely the weaver of doubt, but the biggest one he toys with throughout the entire story is whether Erik truly lived! He tells of his investigations into the fable, his discussions with the Persian, his discovery of the famous bundle of letters written by Christine, and then makes the statement that he no longer has doubt the Ghost truly existed and pens the following:

"I was at first inclined to be suspicious; but when the Persian had told me, with child-like candor, all that he knew about the ghost and had handed me the proofs of the ghost's existence--including the strange correspondence of Christine Daae--to do as I pleased with, I was no longer able to doubt. No, the ghost was not a myth!"

Of course, that is the one big question that surrounds this story. Is it truly an investigation by Gaston Leroux into the existence of the Ghost? Is the prologue and epilogue truth, and the middle merely his fanciful fiction rendition of the events as they transpired? Or dare I say is the entire thing a fabrication and the result of his wild imagination as he writes the novel?

As I look at the book sitting upon my desk next to my computer, the pages appear wrapped in an aura of mystery. As stated in the play, perhaps it is a strange affair that will never fully be explained. Will any of us ever know if it was a carefully crafted story of illusion to make you think it was real? Did Erik truly live or is he just the figment of Leroux’s imagination? As I stated before, Leroux lived in an era when illusion was big business. Was this just another illusion as a means of entertainment?

Do my questions create doubt in your heart? What evidence do you have there is an ounce of truth in the story? Do you believe or do you doubt that Erik, the Phantom of the Opera, truly existed? Perhaps Leroux was just weaving a tale after all. Oh, excuse me, I'm sowing seeds of doubt. One small planting, a little watering, doubt will grow, and truth will be become shades of gray.

Doubt – a five letter word packed with power.

As always, your obedient servant. I hope you never doubt that!

The Phantoms' Student