Christine Daaé is the Real Hero of The Phantom of the Opera
The damsel in distress doesn’t really need to be saved after all; she ends up saving others. And the most controversial thing? She saves her abuser from darkness. Maybe, if Erik had already lost his whole humanity, she ought to prepare for the worst. Christine’s heroism isn’t idealistic; it has never been her responsibility to heal the wounds of her men. A blind self-sacrifice in the name of love isn’t proof of a woman’s worth. And, even though Christine never begged for Erik’s validation, her kindness, which is supposed to be her strength, becomes a double-edged sword. Even so, Christine continues to present her warmth amidst despair. Not because Erik demands it; she does it willingly. She chooses love, unaware that it will shatter Erik's defense.
