The Phantom of the Opera · Chapter
Faust and What Followed explained
During a performance of Faust, Carlotta's voice suddenly croaks like a toad, causing chaos.
What happens
During a performance of Faust, Carlotta's voice suddenly croaks like a toad, causing chaos. The managers, Richard and Moncharmin, feel the ghost's presence in Box Five and hear him threaten that the chandelier will fall. The chandelier crashes into the audience, killing the concierge who replaced Mame Giry.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This scene is the dramatic climax because it marks the moment when Erik’s paranoia and rage peak, directly thr…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Superstition and Rationality
The audience and managers interpret Carlotta's croak as supernatural, linking it to the ghost's curse.
- Deception and Secrecy
The ghost's hidden presence in Box Five and the anonymous letters to Carlotta demonstrate hidden forces at work.
Characters to notice
- La Carlotta
Sings Margarita but her voice croaks, leading to disaster.
- M. Firmin Richard
One of the managers; experiences the ghost's presence and hears the threat about the chandelier.
- Armand Moncharmin
The other manager; shares Richard's terror during the performance.
- Erik
The Opera Ghost; causes Carlotta's croak and threatens the chandelier's fall.
- Raoul de Chagny
Mentioned as receiving a letter from Christine and being in distress.
- Christine Daaé
Referenced in Raoul's thoughts and as the subject of Carlotta's jealousy.
Key passages
“Carlotta croaked like a toad: " Co-ack! "”
Carlotta's voice suddenly made a harsh, frog-like sound.
This marks the ghost's interference during the performance.
“She is singing tonight to bring the chandelier down!”
The ghost declares that Carlotta's performance will cause the chandelier to fall.
This threat is heard by the managers and precedes the crash.
“The chandelier, the immense mass of the chandelier was slipping down, coming toward them, at the call of that fiendish voice.”
The massive chandelier descended from the ceiling as if summoned by the ghost's voice.
The chandelier crashes into the audience, killing the concierge.
