PaperFacesOnParade
July 12th, 2009, 02:01 PM
Christine Daaé. When I decided to write about her, I actually wondered why. Why should I write about her? Christine, although totally made up, is almost like an idol for me. Although she is a woman torn between two men, what really shines through to me, is the fact that she is a realistic performer. Unlike Carlotta, the prima donna of the Paris Opera, she stays in the background, waiting for someone else to tease out her talent. Originally, I was like her, I could identify with her, and still can a little. When I got the role of Dora Spenlow in David Copperfield, I had to be able to sing. After the performance, my mother said to me “I never knew you could sing.” And neither did I! Christine, I think is slightly aware of her talent, but does not allow it to get to her head. Only when Erik (the Phantom) drops the scenery upon Carlotta, and Madame Giry thrusts her into the limelight does she acknowledge that she has something special. It was somewhat like me. When I stood under that pale stage light when I was about 11, I was half frightened to death. But like Christine, my talent grew, and so did my confidence, although I have no “phantom” tutor.
I like Christine because of the above, but also, she is just a sweet-natured young woman. Her naïveté is rather endearing in both the musical, film and book. In the book, she is shown growing older in a short amount of time because of the events happening in her life, losing some of her charm to me. In the musical and film, she seems to stay quite young throughout, keeping her naïveté . "Each fairy tale is a magic mirror which reflects some aspects of our inner world, and of the steps required by our evolution from immaturity to maturity." (The Uses of Enchantment, Bruno Bettelheim). Phantom is very much a story of Christine growing up, the story of her maturity.
The things I dislike about her are very small and insignificant. I think she is a little too silly, allowing herself to believe that her “Angel of Music” is her father. But what kind of father would he be, seeing as in The Music of the Night, the Phantom gets a little... touchy feely.
As for her decision to stay with Raoul... I can’t say I agree, but if it was really what made Christine happy, then it was the right decision for her. I believe that Raoul and Christine’s relationship is based off being childhood sweethearts and nothing more. The connection between Erik and Christine is much more soulful, and a more sexual, passionate desire, especially on the Phantom’s part. I feel that Christine and Raoul would grow quite bored each other, but if I try and think about what would happen with them, I see Christine turning out like Aunt Patience in the novel The Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier, fulfilling her task as a wife, bearing heirs to the de Chagny family and then my head starts to hurt. As Christine, I would have preferred to choose Erik, because I feel Raoul is a tad, well, boring.
Christine’s kiss has quite an effect, especially in Leroux’s novel.
I'll probably never finish it XD
I like Christine because of the above, but also, she is just a sweet-natured young woman. Her naïveté is rather endearing in both the musical, film and book. In the book, she is shown growing older in a short amount of time because of the events happening in her life, losing some of her charm to me. In the musical and film, she seems to stay quite young throughout, keeping her naïveté . "Each fairy tale is a magic mirror which reflects some aspects of our inner world, and of the steps required by our evolution from immaturity to maturity." (The Uses of Enchantment, Bruno Bettelheim). Phantom is very much a story of Christine growing up, the story of her maturity.
The things I dislike about her are very small and insignificant. I think she is a little too silly, allowing herself to believe that her “Angel of Music” is her father. But what kind of father would he be, seeing as in The Music of the Night, the Phantom gets a little... touchy feely.
As for her decision to stay with Raoul... I can’t say I agree, but if it was really what made Christine happy, then it was the right decision for her. I believe that Raoul and Christine’s relationship is based off being childhood sweethearts and nothing more. The connection between Erik and Christine is much more soulful, and a more sexual, passionate desire, especially on the Phantom’s part. I feel that Christine and Raoul would grow quite bored each other, but if I try and think about what would happen with them, I see Christine turning out like Aunt Patience in the novel The Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier, fulfilling her task as a wife, bearing heirs to the de Chagny family and then my head starts to hurt. As Christine, I would have preferred to choose Erik, because I feel Raoul is a tad, well, boring.
Christine’s kiss has quite an effect, especially in Leroux’s novel.
I'll probably never finish it XD