Why Erik?
From Laura:
Because he truly loved Christine. He just didn’t know how to express it right because no one had shown love to him. |
From Adrianne:
I would have chosen Erik because he is so mysterious and his music is wonderful and speak to the your soul… Listening his music is like take flight and feel news sensations… and he loves Christine and he needs to be loved…. |
From Emily:
Well, first of all I love music and we have much in common. I’m a little talented and I have a huge sense of humour and, I get very passionate sometimes.Erik is my imaginary love interest. And I agree it doesn’t matter about the surface, it’s what is inside that counts!So, I think Christene should have choosen Erik. p.s. his life totally sucked so he deserves a little bit of sympathy! oh yea Raoul is such a FOP, and I don’t like fops!(sorry that came out of nowhere) I feel for you Erik 🙁 |
From Vest-Button:
Christine and Erik are better suited for each other because they are both musical. Raoul doesn’t know anything about music, so he will be unable to understand at least that one part of her. Erik, however, is the Angel of Music. Bottom Line: Erik and Christine have a musical connection that Raoul could never have unless he were to start taking flute lessons RIGHT NOW! |
From Karen:
He deserves to have her. Not only has he shared the greatest gift of all with her, (music), he has been through enough pain in his life. |
From Anonymous:
He was so lonely! I just felt so sorry for him because he had no friends. Plus Erik deserves to know what love is. Forgive him for his sins and just give him a chance. The reason (i think) he murdered people is because people treated him with such horror and abuse that that was all he knew. Another thing is that Raoul *gag* always got in the way and was a winey shelfish brat! I cry everytime I read the ending to THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA and listen to the final scene to the play. I just feel SO sorry for him that I can’t help wishing I was Christine and giving Raoul a good kick up the *you know what* Plus, I would just have to see my parents faces when I brought him home for dinner! Not to mention my friends! They would slap me for it, I know! Oh well, he deserves to be loved more than anyone I know. |
From Christy:
Why Erik? Because he teaches voice to every lady who loves operas, music and musicals. He also loves Christine with all his heart. It just breaks my heart to see him cry at the end of both acts. I think I would stay with Erik if I was Christine because I love him very much, even if he is disfigured. I cry at the end of Acts One and Two, but very hard in act two because I wanted her to stay with him sooooo very much. And that is the real reason why I would stay with Erik, and it’s always real. I would never pick Raul. Do you know why? Because even if he IS adorable, I would never, ever, ever, EVER pick him!!!! |
From Jess:
First of all, I have to say I agree with pretty much everyone who has written so far (dang, this thing is long! I did read it, though, I DID!) Now I’m really, really curious about this Kay person’s work, though kind of scared to find out any more 🙂 But I’m getting off-topic. Why would I choose Erik? For one, he needs Christine, and I just can’t see how she can just leave someone when she knows that she is his last hope for love, survival, and happiness. He’s been shunned all of his life, and she is the only one who can reach him. She can give him so much, save him from his loneliness and misery (and she’s kind of in debt to him too, considering he’s given her the voice of an angel), but she chooses to deny him the kind of future he definitely deserves. He has a beautiful soal and, in my oppinion, is NOT insane, but he’s tortured, and he is willing to give up everything for Christine’s happiness. Imagine what it would be like to live with that kind of guy! He’ll go to extremes just to please you. Also, who can walk away from a voice like that? All the Raouls I’ve seen have had really nasel voices (strangely enough, that’s the exact quality I abosolutely LOVE in Philip Hernandez’s voice . . . odd) and I couldn’t imagine having to live with THAT for eternity. But Erik . . . Oh, by the way, my phantom is and will always be Brad Little. I’d go off with his phantom in a second. God, that voice! Those hands! Those eyes! Lastly, he could work with my singing. Not that I don’t love my vocal coach 🙂 but imagine having someone who can coach you, compose for you, and all that other stuff everyone else has already mentioned. Okay, I think I’m done. |
From Weiyi:
Rationally, Erik is a (mass) murderer, has horrible social skills, is a general psychopath, and lives in the sewers, basically. However, I think all of the phangirls to a degree, and especially Christine agrees with the sentiment “Wildly my mind beats against you/You resist/Yet the soul obeys” set out in the graveyard scene. For Erik represents the overwhelming power of true passion. An attraction to Erik goes further than can be fully articulated. Although it is scary to have to sacrifice so much to be with a specific guy, (For Christine, the part about never seeing the sunlight again must have been tough, among other things), there is something incredibly visceral and innate about Erik’s appeal. In choosing Raoul, Christine has made the reasonable choice. Here is a childhood lover, who is rich, stable, generally good looking, doesn’t kill people, and a member of the aristocracy to boot. But sometimes, reason is utterly overrated. |
From Courtney:
His beauty is more then skin deep. |
From Shannon:
I would have chosen Erik because he has absolutely no one else. I mean, face it: Raoul could get any girl he wanted. He’s a rich, handsome, vicomte for crying out loud! But no, he has to take the one girl in the whole world that Erik may have had a chance with. In my opinion, that’s just plain selfish. Now Erik’s left alone with only his memories of Christine to keep him alive. (Really, just picture him sitting there crying and clutching Christine’s veil. It’s the saddest thing in the world!) |
From Jenny:
I would have chosen Erik (well, if there wasn’t the whole murderer thing) basically because Raoul is a whiney little boy. |
From Matthew:
If I was Christine I would most definatly pick Erik. He’s no psychopathic, he is just an over angry person who will kill for his love. He would walk thru fire for Christine. Raoul wouldn’t walk thru fire for Chrstine, he’d be too worried about his good looking face getting burnt. But I have nothing against Raoul. Anyways, I agree with Stacy, Erik IS passionate, he is an incredible man who would provide Christine with everything she would ever need, including Love. |
From Erica:
He is so passionate! Erik has this passion that draws you to him! When he truly loves something or someone, he loves them deeply, unconditionally. |
From Mindy:
I would chose Erik over Raoul any day! It must have taken some real trust for Erik to love Christine. I would think that he would not trust anyone in the world because of the way he was treated throughout his life. And how did Christine treat him, and repay him for giving her the voice of an angel? She ran off with Raoul! *grrrrr…* I have nothing against Raoul, he is a nice guy, but still… Christine should have picked Erik! |
From Erika:
Well, first of all, my name. Erik and Erika, how perfect is that? But in all seriousness, I would have chosen Erik because he loved Christine with his entire being. Raoul was a young, foolish, and socially self-conscious person. Everything he did he did to make himself look brave and debonair. I wouldn’t have bought it. All Erik wanted was love, and she couldn’t even give him that until the pretty boy’s neck was in a noose. |
From Emily:
In addition to everything stated, I’d choose Erik for love’s sake. Raoul could get over it (eventually) if he lost Christine, but Erik’s love… well Christine would never get loved like that again. Did she seriously think she could ever forget Erik? |
From Amber:
O.K so finally there’s a group of peeps who get that the Phantom ( Erik, Angel of Music, Angel of death , Angel of doom, Opera Ghost ( O.G ) – whatever gets you going…) is so much more – well …. EVERYTHING than that wanker AKA raoul! So Victome de Changy is talented in evey way , is he? He has a voice like a GOD , a laugh and sense of humour like the Devils? I don’t bloody think so! Keep up the good work on the website by the way! And I totally agree that Susan Kays adaption of the novel gives Erik a fabulous sense of humour. right I’m off to listen tom the soundtrack ….. ( oh holy lord that voice… OK I’m calm…. I WANT HIM! And back to the voice….I’m right there with ya “tink Niole” …… – plus kerry, if you ever find that guy who you’d die happy with, preferably with a voice like MC, could you please find out if he has a brother,… maybe identical twin?…. Oh c’mon!) |
From Bronia:
I too would have chosen Erik – but I want to say something in Christines defence, I don’t know how many have read the hugely popular “PHANTOM” by Susan Kays ( a book all about the life of Erik from birth till death and beyond ) , but in that Christine choses to stay with the Phantom and only leaves because he is old and dying – it’s his choice because as Nadir ( the Persian ) says to Raoul ” his greatest fear was that she would be alone in this world, so do what he trusted you to do, my friend , take the child and cherish her till death parts you” and also Christine returns to him on his dying day and they end up making love leading to the birth of Charles – a son that Raoul raises and loves as his own. So Christine did chose the Phantom – And to right in my opinion! |
From Josh:
I know I’m a boy but Erik is much much of a better choice ladies. I mean no offense but he’s sooo sweet n kind n nice n gentle n proper loving I felt so sorry for him when I saw the show my 8th time i shouted at the end ‘choose the phantom ditch raoul’ {that’s the truth}. No offense Raoul but you are too cocky n la de dah n oh look at me n my real face. I mean I’m sorry but Erik is provoked to kill others. He loves Christine properly he wants her for life that’s no sin we all fall in love sometimes I mean it’s not his fault about his face . So trust me, Erik is the better choice if I was a girl I would choose Erik. |
From Lauren:
He is what every girl want’=s.If I could meet Cristine I would make sure her hart was broken like Erik’s.He is a real Angel.He is perfect.I am only 13 years old and I love him.In the words of Mme Giry “A prodigy, monsieur! Scholar, architect, musician.” “A composer…” “And an inventor too.” What else is there to say? He was extremely gifted in every area.With Roul and Christine is just puppy love.Erik is real love.She only likes Raoul because he is cute if Erik she would have stayed.He would not have to hide and she would have been the one after him.She did not deserve him if Erik did not teach Christine how to sing and gave her the opprotunity Roul would have probery married that other opera singer(I can never rember her name.Without Erik she would would not have had a place to perform.He loved her so much that he let her go be with someone she supposly loved.He killed for her.Come on he had to live in the basement.She lied to him and pitied him.Well I have a lot more to say but will stop there before I say something I might regret.In conclusion I would have stayed and love him forever. Thank you for reading. |
From Casey:
How could a person not adore Erik? He’s the most sensitive and dedicated man you could ever hope to find, and he really and truly loves Christine with all his heart. He is absolutely brilliant, and has incredible musical talent as well. And that voice! It’s so smooth and sexy. No wonder he’s called the Angel of Music! I think that Christine is a total flake if she would choose a dope like Raoul over someone as beautiful as Erik. |
From Jasmine:
Because there is no one like him. He has everything, unfortunately not the face. But his voice and talent makes him perfect. |
From Betty:
Erik’s existence is the reason why Christine has such a wonderful voice. Without him, she wouldn’t have had the chance to perform on stage and Raoul probably wouldn’t have seen her in the Opera House. |
From Kyria:
::throws pumpkins at Raoul:: You WEENIE!!!!! achem. Yes. Erik’s my favorite! I can’t believe Christine threw him away like that! Arhrhghghghgh. I wanted to kick her but I couldn’t “Insolent boy, this slave of fashion…” Makes Raoul sound kinda preppy, doesn’t it? I mean if there were a futuristic version of POTO I guess it would kinda be like that. It just BOTHERS me. ::boots Raoul:: Erik, please forgive Christine. Maybe you could weave some sort of magic that allows that dummy to come alive…. |
From Alex:
His voice makes your heart pound and is as smooth as butter. |
From eriKar:
I wouldn’t have to buy any opera dvds any more! Erik will just sit in front of my piano, and sing Nessun Dorma (live!) which makes my soul soar. I’m sure he’ll sing much better than old Mr. Pavarroti of Domingo! |
From Bonnie:
I would have chosen Erik because I could not have beared to leave him – not from some pathetic altruistic need – but because every man I would ever meet I would compare to Erik and it would mean a life long of searching and never finding. Once you have been touched by passion and love, as deep as what Erik felt for Christine, how can you settle for anything less? |
From PhanGirl:
Why would I choose Erik? Well, for one, he’s one of the most caring men in the universe! He isn’t afriad to express his feelings. Also, Erik is an amazing person in about every area you can think of and, being a singer myself, I really like a man who knows how to sing and Erik tops them all. I can look past the deformed face and see the ture beauty inside. |
From Eunie:
You should mention his sense of fashion too. hahaha Those dark black suits and tales, hats. All two thumbs up “SEXY”!!!!!!!!!!!!! Being an inventor~ (I bet he invented all those fire works and stuffs. maybe he decorated his own cozy dungeon spot too -_- 😉 a sensitive man (who can come to your dream sings to you and hypnotize you. Spooky but sexy) He will never bore ladies. Plus!!!!!!!!!! I bet Erik will NEVER cheat on Christine like those jerks out there looking for a chance to sleep with his girl friend’s best friend. Erik will never do that with Meg on Christine. |
From Jessica:
I am a 13 year old girl and I LOVE Erik. I cannot stand the fact that Christine chose Raoul over him. Raoul made me sick, he was the worst character. I’ve read the book (Gaston Leuroux) four times cried at the end of it all four times because of the emotion he had and the fact that he loved her so much he would die for her well being. Raoul may have been in love with Christine, but what is love? He was infatuated with the girl. Erik however, Erik was really in love with her. In my views love is a when you would kill or be killed for your other. As Erik said “This face that poisons our love,” if he was handsome I can bet you that Christine would have stayed. That’s what gives Erik character the fact that he is not the most handsome man alive, but he’s passionate and always means the words he says. If I were Christine Raoul would be in the gutter for all I care. And the other thing is that I play the violin and I have learned every major song in the whole show. My favorite is “The Music of the Night” because Erik’s passion and his beautiful music which I love. Also I listen to the soundtrack every night while i fall asleep and if I don’t then i can’t sleep. I love his sultry voice and impecible voice(Micheal Crawford.) Also, Erik’s character is sexy, he’s passionate,loving, and a genius. Being that I’m only 13 it may come as a shock for me to be saying this but Erik is the kind of boyfriend I would want because he would truly appreciate me not treat like an object, as Raoul would. So there’s my opinion on this subject, I would definitely chose Erik over Raoul. |
From Steph:
Ok, firstly, I’d just like to say that yes, I would have chosen Erik. But I don’t think it’s fair to say that Christine left him because she couldn’t see past his face. He accuses her of that at one point (“this face which poisons our love)” and she replies saying that (i can’t remember it exactly but) “it is no longer your face that horrifies me but the twisted soul beneath it.” Everyone has been saying that Erik was this wonderful person, but let’s face it-he did murder a few people. This is because he was kind of insane. Who wouldn’t be? Considering the circumstances, yes he is a wonderful person. Just imagine what he would have been like if he had been showed love growing up? But no, he’s had a horrible life and lives in shadows and darkness. He is a tortured genius. He saw Christine as a kind of redemption I think. Someone he could help and love and do something good, and she would love him in return. And he truly loved her. She became his life. She was really the only person who had ever known him as a person. But that little taste of normality, of happiness just made it worse because it was snatched out of his hands and he had to face the reality that she would not stay with him, that he would go back to his old life. So he sorta snapped and then that whole ordeal at the end of the play happened. But in the end his love overcame his misery and hate and he let her go. I can understand Christine. She cared for him, but she was scared. She saw what he did when he was upset (well, more than upset) and she was afraid of what he was capable of. Raoul was safe. But I think that if I had been in her place, I would have seen his love in his eyes and trusted him and tried to help him become who he could be, who she had seen before.. the demanding but loving teacher, the gentle friend, the passionate lover with unending adoration, the genius musician and scarred yet beautiful soul. I would have stayed with Erik. |
From Dianna:
I would have chosen Erik because he has the deepest most sincere form of love for Christine. He loves her from not only his heart but his soul as well. He would do anything for her and he did when he let Raoul go at the end and by doing a opera that he wrote for her to star in. There isn’t that much real true love in the world and he loves her to the end of his days. I’ve seen the show 3 times and it still gives me goose bumps to see and the end were all that’s left is his mask on the throne I still cry. It’s one of the most touching and heart wrenching love stories out there and it’s one that needs to go on for eternity. |
From Brigitte:
I would have surely picked Erik! His personality and mind was incredible. He loved Christine a great deal as well. Another reason I would have selected Erik is that he desperately wanted someone to love him. No one had ever looked beyond his face. They never really found the person that lay within. |
From Aria:
Oh my God there are so many reasons I would have chosen Erik. First off he is so passionate about everything, especially music. Second he is like no other guy out there, he is truely a gentleman. He loved Christine and would have never left her and what did he get in return? Rejection, a life not worth living anymore. My God he actually walled himself inside his home and waited for death when she left. The very thought just makes me cry uncontrollably. All he ever wanted was to be loved and for someone to see beyond his mask. I believe deep down that I could do that and I know there are many more people out there that could as well. As everyone else has mentioned he was a genius, a musician, an architect, and a very good singer. The last two just take my breathe away everytime. I’m an interior design student and I hope that one day I will help create something half as glorious as the Paris Opera House, and then I will know that my life was worth living. In conclusion I would like to say that I may just be an Aria but if I had ever met Erik I would have definitely died as part of a Duet (wink wink). |
From Jana:
I would choose Erik because, like everybody else, I love him. I saw The Phantom of the Opera on the 26th of December and it toke my heart away. I especially loved the title song. Erik and I share something in common: we are hated by most people. I don’t hold anything against Raoul so sue me. Like I said before, I love Erik. I love him for his genius and his voice. His love sounds true. If there is someone out there like him, I would most surely would want to be his friend and let him know I will stand by him. I don’t care what Erik looks like on the outside, as long as he has a good heart. |
From Kerry:
Who wouldn’t have stayed with Erik?? He was willing to do anything imaginable to please the one girl who he has ever loved. He was stability. Another part that makes him irresistable is the fact that he can sing. Erik has completely made me redefine “the perfect guy” to one that will worship and love me (hehe) and one who can sing (preferably like Michael Crawford) Give me one like that and I’ll die happy…. |
From Diana:
I think Erik truly appreciated Christine, to him she was not some trophy as I think Raoul viewed her as. If I were in the situation I would see raoul as a total @sshole and I would see Erik as truly loving me and accepting me no matter what happened. Erik would have treated Christine like gold and any girl who can’t appreciate that would not be worthy of Erik’s love. *sigh* If only he could have lived today. Look how many of us out there would have wanted to and given anything to be w/ him in a heartbeat. |
From T’Res:
You have to ask? Simply that he could love so deeply and all-consumingly for who Christine really was, not who he wanted her to be. **sigh** I wish there were more guys like Erik out there… |
From Ace Voxen:
I think..well if you think that he probably never had anyone to love him, and I supoose (and this is lame) I always want to love those who have never been loved (I know I know, lame!) |
From Jenna:
I wouldn’t even THINK of leaving with Raoul! To me, Erik blows him out of the water! Erik’s a musical genius, he’s a GENTLEMAN!!!, he loves and adores Christine for what she is, not what she might become. Erik’s soul is his most beautiful thing. |
From CAITY- Phantom Lover!:
I am 13 and I’ve been in obsession for over a year now. I am on Erik’s side. He is quite passionate and different from any man I know or will ever know. He has a soul, Raoul, on the other hand is a childish, stupid, jerk…(don’t ask me why Christine loves him!) 🙂 My parents don’t understand that! |
From Belle Blanche:
Definantly Erik! He loved Christine so completely and fully. Everytime I listen to the CD, my heart breaks when he says his final line to her. I’m getting choked up right now! Plus, the man can sing, that makes me melt! Plus, there is a sensuality about him. You just can’t explain it. |
From Tink Nicole:
I would have chosen Erik because, as said before, he is a genius and he was so passionate about everything. His voice. Ahhhhh, his voice. I believe that is one of my favorite aspects of Erik. Where-as, all Raoul had, *in my opinion* was money and he may have cared for Christine, but he met her long ago and then when she was older. Raoul seemed to have liked her because of her voice, where-as Erik loved her for her. He had been with her ever since her enterence to the Paris Opera. Raoul was young, unknowing, and annoying. Not to mention a TOTAL snob in the movie with Claude Rains. I believe that the mystery of Erik’s mask and his voice would be what got me. I swoon every time I hear his voice…*Ahhhh the voice again!*If I were Christine, Raoul would have been a wonderful suppert friend, but nothing more, for I will always love Erik more than anything. *PS Raoul didn’t deserve Christine, and really, when you think about it, Christine didn’t deserve Erik!* |
From Peridot:
I would have gone with Erik! A lot of people always ask me “why!?” I’ve got this list down pat. ^.^ First off, that laugh! That sadistic, evil laugh always makes me giggle and swoon. It’s so cute! Next off is his sarcasm. I can’t live without sarcasm and just mixing Erik in makes it even better. Any of Erik’s sarcastic lines are always my favorites. The last reason is he’s a master of music. I love music and to hear it always playing, and his singing just makes me wonder if I had died and gone to heaven. ^.^ |
From Stephanie:
I would choose to stay with Erik because of his genious. He was talented in many different feilds and was extreamly intelligent. Raoul was the exact opposite! He was stupid and really didn’t excell in anything…except annoying Erik. I think that with all that happened to Erik he deserved to be loved for who he was. That was all he wanted in the first place. He only wished for someone to see beyond his ugliness and realize who he really was. A sensitive, loyal, and loving man. I think Christine did get a glimpse of his true self….but she still couldn’t see past his face. Well I can and if he were here today I would stay with him in a heartbeat! I love him! |
From Jenny
I have a bit of a thing for the Beauty and the Beast legend. I don`t think I am the only one who felt a bit let down in the Disney movie when the cute cuddly Beast turned into the so-so looking prince. Phantom is alot like that but without the happy ending. I can`t believe she left because he was so deeply deeply in love with her. It nearly broke me heart in the finale when she left him. Except for that killing people part he wasn`t such a bad guy. If any was that much in love with me I would have stayed with him no matter what he happened to look like. Not only that he is very attrative. His voice just draws you to him and after awhile you look past his face. He is a tragic figure who was born with problems. The reason he acted like a monster at times is because of the deep pain of being rejected his whole life. |
From Haydee
He’s an incredibly sweet (yeah, I know it doesn’t fit but THINK about it), gifted person who obviously doesn’t deserve what he got from life. Every other reason applies too, especialy the music. He is special in a way Raoul could never be, no matter how hard he tried. Not to mention Raoul was a spoiled airhead who had never needed to really work for something. I guess I have a weakness for the drama, but too bad. I love him anyways!! |
From Kitty:
Well, I really can’t think of anything to add here. I’ll just say this: nobody, not even Gaston Leroux, knows what Erik was really like. But from clues discovered by Leroux, Erik must have been a tortured and deprived soul. A weaker man would have been driven mad by his lot in life or would have killed himself. I’d also like to say that I think that from what we know of Christine, she was a selfish child. Women today aren’t like that anymore. If Erik had been born today, he would not be as hated, and would very likely be accepted by many people. If I met Erik today, I would at first be attracted by the mystery of the mask, then by his voice. That voice can really melt my heart!*swoons* I mean I never considered myself a girly girl, but I just can’t resist a sad, passionate Phantom. Ok, I’ll stop rambling be4 this turns into super mush! |
From Alaina:
The main reason that I would have chosen Erik over the pathetic Raoul, or anybody for that matter, is that he is so gifted. He’s a genious, quiet and loving in his own way. When he loves, the love goes deep for that person. Like Giovanni, he loved his like a father. He is also sensual and passionate, and his music would be incredible. His voice, too, would be really something to hear. So basically, I would choose him for about the same reasons you would! |
From Christine Degas:
I would have chosen Erik! The reason I would have chosen him is the following: He was different kind of a man-not just physically but emotionally. He wasn’t afraid to show his feelings! He had a beautiful voice(as said in the book) and knew how to move people with music. He was a sweet and loving man. Not every man can do anything for one person like he did for Christine. He was a lonely and tormented man, he deserved some happiness. He respected her and love her deeply.(he felt things deeper than many men could feel. |
From Erin Leigh:
I would have chosen him because of the mystery behind the mask. |
From Laura:
No doubt about it I would have definately chosen Erik for all the same reasons above. I would stay with him now if he were alive. |
From Phantom’s_Angel:
I have only seen the Phantom of the Opera once, during my sixth grade year with my school chorus. I was beyond enthralled with the story, I fell madly in love with it. Erik seemed such a kind, gentle, and compasionate soul, wounded beyond belief by a cruel world that could not see beyond the outward appearence. That fact that Christine chose Raoul of Erik made my blood boil. I’d always felt that Erik having been deprived of so much, should have at least been given the hope and happiness love provides. I myself am a musician and the Phantom of the Opera has inspiried me to no end. I have even gone as far as to compose a piece entitled ‘Angel of Mine’. It has always been a dream of mine since first seeing the musical to play Christine. I’m hoping I stand a chance, seeing as how the last time my range was tested, I hit the highest note in my entire chorus of about 30 or more people. I hit high B I think… Well, I will stop boring you with my endless chatter. Thank you for your time and I know I speak for diehard Phans everywhere when I say….”Down with Raoul!” |
From Sonnet Rose:
He knows the world and what it can do to a soul. He understands the hardships that one must take when they are different. It inspires people to follow your dreams and when they world turns its back on you you can still live and rise out of the ashes of tragedy to live forever. Erik shows us what a little love can do, it heals away all wounds and takes us to heaven if only for a while… |
From K. McBeth:
Erik had a talent for loving that could build a bridge over an ocean, and all he asked in return was the everyday consideration that most of us take for granted. Despite relentless cruelty, he had the strength to overcome his lot in life. His tragedy is that he never found anyone else who could. |
From Michelle:
I would have chosen Erik because he embodied the very thing that Christine held closer to her heart than anything else: a passion for beautiful music. He was sensitive, and had deep heartfelt feelings. He was mysterious in a way, but at the same time every time he opened his mouth you understood every emotion that came out of it. Yes, Raoul loved her, but he seemed frigid, and unimaginative next to Erik. |
From Roni:
Christine is the only person he has ever loved in his entire life. |
From Elizabeth Le Fantomess
I cried in the middle of the show since i knew the end and the people near me looked at me really strange. I think Christine should have stayed with Erik/Phantom because his love was true. Plus he was so sensual and sexy in most of the scenes I just melted. Christine was crazy! |
From Emilia
There are many reasons to love Erik, but above all is the line: “Christine, I lo-o-ove you!” I think my heart just broke the first time I heard that. *sigh* |
From Meria
I would have stayed with Erik just because when I saw Phantom at Pantages with my chorus, he took my breath away. I mean Rene whatever his name was wasn’t that great, but the whole thing struck me.. Rene wasn’t good singing wise, but acting? ::swoon:: Erik would have just had to look at me and I’d say yes to anything he asked. |
From Lacey
I would’ve stayed with Erik for basically all of the same reasons that everyone else has mentioned. He’s smart, funny (in his own way), HE LOVES MUSIC!!! And you can really tell that. But the most important reason why I would stay with Erik is that he is very, very, sexy. Micheal Crawford was the PERFECT PHANTOM THERE EVER WAS!!! I mean nobody could ever top him. EVER!!! I just loved the way he sang “Music Of The Night.” I get chills whenever I listen to it. Anyways, I really don’t think that Erik is insane, believe it or not he is sane. I just think that it is the things that has happened to him in the years past that makes him think that Christine must love him. (Do you get what I am saying?) And I have to agree with the “Melissa” girl, I to think that Christine is scared of that much intensity. If I hear a man that sings as good as Erik can, I would just fall for him. But nobody, so far has a better voice than Erik. Erik (Micheal Crawford) has the most sweetest voice that I have ever heard in my entire life. I can remember the first time that I saw the show in Dallas, Tx. I was like, WOW!!! The guy that played Erik (I forget his name) was almost as good as Micheal Crawford. And another reason why I chose Erik instead of Raoul was that Raoul was too niave about what was going on between Christine and Erik, and he tried to keep Erik away from her. I believe that he has good intentions in doing that, because he and Christine love each other, but she also loves Erik too. Well, those are my reasons why I chose Erik. I think that he would’ve been the PERFECT man for Christine. She just needed to get to know him more. |
From Melissa
Well…he’s a genius, brilliant, he loves music, he’s passionate and intense, and he has an odd sarcastic sense of humor (the best kind!), the “tragic love” “Beauty and the Beast” thing…I also agree that he *deserves* to be loved. And there are the hands…and the voice…if Michael Crawford is great, imagine *Erik’s* voice! I would have to agree that I can see Christine rejecting him because a) she’s afraid of that kind of intensity and b) she wants to have a normal life. A normal life with Erik would be rather hard. Still… I’ve only seen Phantom once, btw, with Franc D’Ambrosio…he was quite awesome, but Michael Crawford remains my favorite singer. Ever. His voice is as close to Erik’s as anyone can get. I just love Erik. |
From Aurelle
I would choose Erik because he is passionate and loving and there would be no way he would ever lie to or cheat on me because he’s truthful to himself…most of the time. I would also choose him because I know I could stand with him through hardship and always be safe… |
From Averne
Why would I have chosen Erik? Because I love him. |
From Jackie
He loves Christine so much, he’s willing to give up his life for her, now that is love! It is only the first time in his life he actually loved a person. |
From Lindsay
I would have chosen Erik, simply because Raoul seemed too weak willed and aside that they were childhood friends, had nothing in common. Christine’s passion was singing and performing, something that Erik shared with her and could help her career. Raoul only took notice of Christine AFTER she started performing. Erik was there before (yes I know Raoul and Christine were childhood friends, but where was he when Christine was making her start as a singer?). |
From “In Love With Erik”
I would have stayed with Erik, because he seems to be the perfect guy (for what he had gone through). He was smart, funny, sexy, and everything else everyone else stated! He was a wonderful person on the inside, he was denied happiness, denied love, yet somehow found that his heart was still capable of it. He fell in love with Christine, perhaps too strongly, but he still loved her. I would not have left him, for me, it would have been too hard to do. The darkness is not so bad, when sharing it with the one you love *hint, hint*. And since I have this thing for guys who can sing, (and Erik, as we all know, can sing) there is no way I would have left him. And I too, like Erika Nelsen, dream about him… he is just too hard to resist. He has become a part of my life and I thank Gaston Leroux for creating such a wonderful Phantom! May We All Find SomeOne Like Erik Along The Way 🙂 |
From K.C.
He is smart, very passionate and he has skills. I would have been excited if someone wrote music for me. |
From Anna
I would have chosen Erik because he is on the inside a beautiful person and he has a love for Christine that is so mush stronger that Raoul’s. He was deprived of any love since birth and yet he found a way to love Christine.He realizes, when she kisses him, something even she didn’t know-that she loves him. I would have made up my mind to stay before he gave me the choice. Erik gave Christine something he had never recieved-love. I find that passionate and romantic. |
From Irene
You see, Christine is a very practical girl and she loves Raoul really. Well, girls and guys, Raoul is a wonderful young man deserving his happiness and a nice girl’s love. He offers Christine a happy life… what has the Phantom to offer? “Only myself and my music” – from some phanphiction…Damn, it was the greatest treasure in the world! But… a little difficult to handle in comparison with Raoul’s nice gifts of peace and calmness. But it’s all the same for me, girls and guys, I don’t understand how Christine had stayed her ground! I would be swept from my feet and lose any reason very soon, and I would stay with Erik just because I would be madly in love with him! And speaking as a serious person, Raoul could find another girl and another happiness. For Erik Christine was all and he died after she had left him. Well, I wonder if Christine understood that she had killed him and how she felt about it. But these are reasonal ideas, and I would just stay with Erik because I just don’t understand how a woman can stand her ground when offered love by the man able to make thousands of women over the world adore and desire him! |
From Erika Nelsen
I would have chosen Erik, because I love him. I believe that true beauty is only skin deep. I also think he is the most passionate and romantic guy in the whole world. Sometimes I like to dream that I’m with him. I feel sorry for Erik, because he is shunned and hated, just because he is deformed. I feel it is wrong to hate and shun someone for the way they look. |
From Emily
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If I were Christine I would have chosen Erik for one simple reason- He needed her. In the original novel I can’t see how Christine chose Raoul over Erik… Raoul was just so flighty! After reading that novel I knew that Raoul was a blonde (LOL) However in Kay’s novel it takes a bit of a different twist, a twist I really liked. Not only did Erik need Christine, but Erik let out his repressed feelings, and love for his mother onto Christine. Which only makes him more open to Christine.. she let him express things he never could with his mother. I am a psychologist, and I love the many stories of Erik from a psychological point of view. However, in all honesty, if I, myself, were in the same situation… I more than likely would have gone with Raoul. I know, I can hear you gasping now.. but think of the situation! Erik kills, murders, and is hideous.. it’s hard to see underlying beauty when evil rests on the surface. And how could you live with him? Away from the world? In a dark, damp place under an opera house? Why if you have a normal life waiting for you with a man who will love you? And, one more plus, If Christine had stayed with Erik.. the same pain, and pity you feel for Erik would not be there. I have only seen one show of Phantom Of The Opera (I know, pitty me.) The man I saw play Phantom was Thomas James O’Leary. He was wonderful, I could not have asked for a better performance. After the show I went backstage, and actually got to meet him. He was crying after the show.. and I think no one captures Phantom as well as he does. However, I have no one to compare him too.. I still believe he was, by far, the Erik I always wanted. |
From Kelly
I have to say that I would’ve chosen Erik for his undying love of Music. I happen to love singing, dancing, and just plain listening to music. A common interest would bond us. I have only seen two Phantoms, Brad Little and Thomas James O’Leary. I have to say Tom was better. 1) I like Tenors. 2) He made me cry in his AIAOY Reprise. The man was crying. I had second row center seats, I saw EVERYTHING he did. He was basically perfect. I enjoyed Brad Little but I had horrible seats, I am seeing it again in 1 week… I hope I see Brad better.. but… Erik is brilliant, witty, and would shows an undying love for Christine.. If I were Christine, I would stay with him. |
From NightPhan
I would have stayed with Erik for all the reasons you have stated above….notto mention I have a certain weakness for men with long hands and fingers, as well as musical talent up over his head! The actors I have heard of that just might come close to truly portraying Erik are: 1)Michael Crawford(I am first and foremost a fan of such a man as this, who can quite literally intoxicate me with his voice! No alcoholic beverages for this Phan! All I need is Michael Crawford’s voice!) And come on ladies, you gotta admit, Michael looks damned sexy in the Phantom costume—don’t deny it! *wink* 2)Franc D’Ambrosio(I have not heard him sing but perhaps twice, and not even as Erik…but just hearing him sing in general clued me in on what I am truly missing by not living in San Francisco at this very second! AND, I LOOOOOVE the way he looks in the Phantom costume! *ROOWWWWWR, and mischievous wink*) Okay, so I tend to look for Phantoms who really portray how truly sexy Erik is! What can I say? I feel emotions just as intensely as Erik does, and that includes sexual attraction as well as love. |
From Heather, aka Annhlp16
Why would I choose Erik? Hell, just to see my mother’s face when I brought him home for dinner! |
From Phantomslover
The reason I would have chosen Erik over that self-absorbed Raoul is because Erik DESERVED to be loved, more than any other human being that ever lived. You already pointed out how wonderful and special he was, how could anyone think of leaving him? |