Lessons From The Phantom of the Opera© and Other Phantom Ramblings: Chandelier

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Chandelier - Lot 666

Symbolism abounds in the lot number. Probably the most obvious reference to darkness, the number 666, the lot number used to identify the chandelier at auction. It’s the biblical reference in Revelations attributed to the mark of beast (“Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man, and his number is six hundred and sixty-six.” NASB Revelation 13:18)

The lot identifies the portion in life assigned to the Phantom by fate, which is one to live in a world of darkness and rejection, assuredly associated with hell. As he drags Christine back down to his world in his last attempt to have her, he cries that he's taking her back to his dungeon, prison, and hell.

The chandelier on the other hand is a grand representation of light before destruction. It illuminated the world of the Opera Populaire at the height of its grandeur, but is destroyed and becomes a chandelier in pieces. The Phantom succeeds in ultimately destroying the beauty of the world he loves and plunges the opera house into darkness and burning fire. Yet, at the auction, the chandelier has been somewhat repaired and illuminated once again, and is hoisted up as if to ask for someone to resurrect it from the darkness it’s been plunged into and restore it as it was once before.

What lesson can we draw? Perhaps, your lot in life is not one you would have chosen. Are you looking for someone to redeem you from the darkness you’ve been plunged into and resurrect you into a new life? Let your mind wander through the symbolism of the lot number and the chandelier and see where it leads you.

The Phantom's Student

Order Lessons From the Phantom of the Opera in Paperback Here

No comments:

Post a Comment

Blog/Book Review

"Lessons From 'The Phantom of the Opera' " is a creative and thoughtful approach to pop culture hit. I enjoyed the book because I teach French history at the college level and I have long enjoyed Gothic novels as well as opera. I connect with the story on several levels, professional and personal. "Lessons" takes a personal, reflective approach that asks readers to think about why they react as they do to the musical and novel. Why does such an old fashioned, romantic story have such appeal in post modern society? Simple: young or old or in between, we still respond to the emotions explored in the story. I plan to tell some of my students who are Phantom fans about this book." (Dr. Melanie Byrd)

The Joy of Audio Books

I love audio books. They open up a whole new world of entertainment. They save time from sitting down and reading a book. You can listen while driving to work, during work, taking a walk, running, or working outside and around the house. It's a time-saving opportunity to take a moment and enjoy your favorite books, acted out by talented voice artists, many of which are from television and stage.

The talent chosen for The Phantom of Valletta, has extensive voice experience. My other narrators are from the stage, or are professional voice artists that have done television, documentaries, and commercials.

Why not try out a membership at Audible? It's easy - starts with a free trial, has no long-term commitment, and is filled with entertainment.

Join today, and I'll give you a free code to one of my books of your choosing to get you started.

JOIN HERE AT AUDIBLE

Listen To All Things Phantom on BlogTalkRadio

All quotations used in this blog are the property of:

The Phantom of the Opera, by Gaston Leroux, Pubished by Random House, Inc. 2002 (Quoted with Permission)

Introduction by Anne Perry, Copyright 2002, Random House, Inc. (Quoted with Permission)

Phantom Of The Opera lyrics are the property of their respective authors, artists and labels. (Music Andrew Lloyd Webber/Lyrics Charles Hart, The Really Useful Group, London, UK). Licensing fees were paid to use them in my book, Lessons From the Phantom of the Opera, but have been omitted here on the blog. Artwork is posted by permission of artist.

Writer's icon and other photos used in his blog were purchased from iStockPhotos.com, with rights for use, or are personal photographs taken by Phantom's Student. POTO from Photobucket.

Special Thanks

Special thanks to Anne Perry who has given me permission to quote her from her introduction to The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux, published by Random House, 2002, and her good luck wishes.

Special thanks to the Hal Leonard Corporation, who made my experience in getting licensing permission to use Webber's lyrics in my book easier than I dreamed.

Special thanks to my readers that allow me to express my views from behind my mask and keep coming back for more even though I poke at them.

Special thanks to Sadie Montgomery (Author of the "The Phoenix of the Opera" series) for holding my hand through my self-publishing experience and for her faithful and continued encouragement.

References Used