First of all, I would like to start off by complimenting you on your thesis paper. It was 
well written and obviously well researched. If I could compose a work like that, I might have 
received a higher G.P.A. in my last semester of college.
     However, I have to disagree with some of the conclusion you came to on POTO's original 
novel. I know you probably hate having people write to you and argue about a paper that has 
been written and graded, but because of my nature, I just feel compelled to make some comments 
and opinions.
     First off, I must say, although I felt Charnas short story was well written, I felt it 
was a little too harsh and unemotional to be considered a true phan phic. But I also feel that 
she did put some realism into the characters. 
     Even though I know that POTO is purely fictional, and of creation to the individual 
authors mind who composes a story of it; weither it is Leroux or some amature, I feel that the 
orginal characters did not meet the "stereotype" of what a real person in their status and 
situation would have.  A opera diva...weither a leading prima donna, a understudy, or simply 
a chorus girl, would definatly not have been a innocent, ignorant girl who would believe in 
"Angels of music". The word "prima donna" --which originated from opera singers--is usually 
associated with difficult, egotistical, gold digging women. So I feel that Leroux's Christine 
was created so that Erik could easily take advantage of her, and decieve her into marriage, 
rather then a realistic character.  
     Charnas's Christine...though unemotional, and calculating...would probably fit the 
description of what a real diva would have acted like during that time period...weither we 
like that character or not. 
     As for our main man. Erik was a misfit, an outcast, neglicted by his parents, and abused 
horribly beyond forgiveness while still in his youth. Chances are...even though this might 
disturb many with the idea...modern day psychology would show that ,as an adult, Erik would 
most likely become a serial killer (which in a way he was), who would have probably been 
incapable of 'real' love. He might become obssessed with Christine...but it would have been an 
unhealthy love and a abusive relationship would have played a role--since statistics show that 
90% of all abused children grow up to become abusers themselves.
     This is not to say that I would want a POTO novel that consisted of the characters I have 
mentioned above (it would not sell!!). Its just that this is a more realistic approach to what 
the characters would have been like...had they been real. And thats why I can see were Charnas 
is coming from.      
     Also, there was another part in your thesis were you mentioned--and I quote: "In the 
original she agrees to marry Erik to save her life and the lives of others, but also because she 
feels affection and sympathy for Erik."  I have to disagree with the 'affection' part. All 
through the novel, Leroux paints a picture--after Christine has seen Eriks face--of a young 
woman who feels pity for a deformed man, but is in love with a titled man and wants to leave her 
mysterious persuer.
     In no way shape or form do I feel she is in love "secretly" with Erik, as Susan Kay 
mentions in the conclusion of her novel Phantom. 
     Sure, we would all love to believe...as so many countless phan phics have been based...that 
Christine really did love Erik, but because of his deformity didn't admit it to herself until too
late. But in all likelyhood, Leroux did not potray this idea, and probably never considered it.  
True Erik instructed her in voice training, and lavished all sorts of attention on her--as we 
have to admit as females is very appeasing.     But she, although having pity on Erik, didn't 
seem to care to much for this affection. She not only insulted him on the roof top, while 
confiding in Raoul, she went as far as calling him 'Monster' to his face, when asking him if the 
scorpion really was the correct figurine to turn. Maybe Im ignorant to the romance scene, but I 
don't think Monster is a affectionate word to use towards someone you have feelings for.
     So should we hate Christine or should we pity her, after all, she just wanted to be with 
the man she really loved(I couldn't help putting in that part!). Whether her descision was right 
or wrong...we need to ask ourselves,what would we do in her case. Could we honestly say that we 
would chose Erik? We consumers are, after all, enticed by the excitement of the theater, the 
handsome actors playing the part, and the music that would have no way of fitting in a real life 
enviroment. 
     I think of it this way. If I were kidnapped by a horribly disfigured man, who kept me 
captive with threats in a cellar house under were I worked--even if he claimed to feel undying 
love for me, and a rich, young, handsome, caring suitor wanted to marry me--I have no doubt who 
I would chose--weither I want to admit it or not.
     But then again, thats my opinion. The wonderful thing about fiction is that anyone can come 
to any conclusion--because it never happened.

Kara
MCampb97@aol.com