In "The Phantom of the Opera," is the Phantom human or a ghost?

Question

Because he seems human b/c he can touch her and everything, but then when he first comes in he extinguishes all the candles without touching them or anything, & sings to Christine & appears in her dreams. Is the phantom human or a ghost??

Answer 1

The phantom is human.

He is able to do all those 'tricks', by getting around and 'being everywhere' because he knows the theatre inside and out. The extinguishing candles are to make you feel he has a mystical quality.

He appears in Christine dreams, because she has fallen under his spell... it is symbolism.

Answer 2

The Phantom of the Opera is human. He was rescued from Madame Giry from the freak circus as a child. He has been at the opera practically his whole life. He knows everything about it all the secret passageways and how it works. He is also a genius and is a composer and inventor he probably created some device extinguish all the candles in the dressing room. His voice is so hypnotic to Christine that she believes that he is an angel ( hence the song "Angel of Music") But he's human through and through with feelings and a creative genius. Also when people are thinking about something a lot, or scared and/or curious about something they tend to dream about it. Christine thinks about the Phantom of the Opera alot so he she dreams about him.
BTW i <3 Phantom of the Opera!!!! :)

Answer 3

he is human because he feels human emotions and he says he is nothing but a man, he is no angel or genius...only Erik. He lives the life of a phantom/ghost because he has to go around unseen to avoid people's eyes and hatred, he just is amazing because he can figure out how to do all of these different things (like the candles, building his lair under the Opera House, his voice and so many other things) without being seen. He feels love, so much love, for Christine and he is jealous and angry...that shows that he is a man, just a very amazing one at that. Christine dreams about him because she wants to know about him and she fantasizes. It's just like anyone elses dreams, you dream about what you want/wish something/someone could be like, that kinda thing. Hope I helped

Answer 4

He is a human, but employs illusions and tricks to make it seem like he's a ghost. The original story even gives some explanation as to his birth, childhood, and, after the story, his death.
For example, he extinguishes the candles by letting in a draft of wind to blow them out, and he "walks though walls" by using a hidden door behind the large mirror in her dressing room. His appearance in her dreams has more to do with her imagination than any "supernatural" power.

Answer 5

He is human.

He's been in that opera house for a LONG time, and has probably had a lot of time on his hands. That being said, he would know every nook and cranny of the opera house, and has probably practiced his singing a lot. As you know, with a perfectly pitched note, you can shatter glass. I'm sure he could do the same with extinguishing candles.

As far as in her dreams goes, she seemed obsessed with him at the start, so it's no wonder he's in her dreams.

Answer 6

The phantom is human.

Answer 7

The Phantom is a figment of Christine's mind. Strange.........but it makes for a good story and music.

Answer 8

he's human but his face is badly scarred that he had to extinguish candles so the girl he love can't see him.

Answer 9

He's human in form, but his presence to the girl is ghostly because she had never actually seen him.

Answer 10

human