Christine kisses Erik, who pretends to fulfill a promise but tells a devastating lie. She agrees to marry him in the book, giving up HER dreams. her COMPASSION is her STENTGH. The book was about a women's right to marry who she chooses.
"The Phantom of the Opera" is feminst Raoul follows her to her Father's grave for no reason when he says the Angel of Music isn't real he is being overprotective When Christine knows the truth he is someone to go to for support. He can't save himself from Erik's torture chamber! The Persian was the first Arab character I saw post-9/11. He was heroic, intelligent, and didn't go Psychotic in Erik's torture chamber. He is the only source Leroux mentions, and a large part of the book is from his perceptive. #TheFirstTimeISawMe "The Phantom of the Opera" Erik & I smart, disabled, & LOVE Music. Me and Erik have to be in control. I Look up to Erik since I was 12. Erik expresses more frustration & despair against Ableism in the novel, which was me as a teen.
#TheFirstTimeISawMe "The Phantom of the Opera" Christine desires to be a singer cuz her father died, and it makes her feel close to him. In fact, her Father made a bargain with her to send her The Angel of Music, thus the barging/magical thinking behavior is OK.

No other book has impacted me the way "The Phantom of the Opera" has!