58 pages 1 hour read

Gaston Leroux

The Phantom of the Opera

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1910

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Chapters 18-21Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 18 Summary: “The Commissary, The Viscount, and the Persian”

Mifroid and Raoul enter the managers' office looking for Christine, whom Moncharmin and Richard did not even know disappeared. Raoul suggests the Opera Ghost, Erik, is behind the kidnapping, and he recounts his story of seeing the man behind the illusions at Perros-Guirec. Mifroid believes Raoul's fantastical story is a result of him being "mad with love" (178). Mifroid's theory is that Philippe stole Christine away to prevent her from marrying Raoul, as evidenced by the Count's missing carriage. Raoul leaves to chase his brother, but the Persian blocks his path.

Chapter 19 Summary: “The Viscount and the Persian”

Raoul interrogates the Persian about his relationship with Erik and about Christine's disappearance. The Persian evades specifics, but promises he wants to help save Christine. Raoul trusts the man and follows him through hidden corridors to Christine's dressing room. The Persian feels about the mirror for a spring that trips the counterbalance on a secret door which once carried Christine away. Darius, the Persian's servant, brings two long pistols that the men may need in their confrontation. The mirror’s revolving door opens, and the two men enter a dark corridor.