So it seems Philippe's murder was the final straw for Daroga, since he tried to turn Erik in after he heard about it (and still didn't know what became of Christine & Raoul), I'm starting to think it also became the final straw for Christine for seeing any substantial good in Erik, thoughts?
Honestly, it feels like the consequences of Philippe’s death aren’t really addressed. (Note for all of this that I read de Mattos).
Erik kidnapping Christine is what prompted the Daroga to go on the offensive with Raoul. Christine still pities Erik and forgives him after everything, knowing he killed Raoul’s brother in cold blood. Like, I’m not saying that she shouldn’t have had sympathy for him or that he’s beyond redemption (I mean, that’s the point of the novel), but Christine can’t forgive him for what he did to Philippe. Only Raoul (or his sisters) can do that, and he doesn’t get the chance.
Maybe it’s just me, but it seems weird that we get no indication of Raoul’s reaction, and I really want to see that. Losing a sibling is the most devastating thing I can possibly imagine. He must have only found out what happened after he and Christine were out of the cellar and Erik was long-gone, because there’s no way he’d just peacefully leave without doing anything to the person who killed his brother.
I get that Raoul’s not the protagonist, but he’s still a major character, and at the end of the story one of the worst things that can happen to a person happens to him, and there’s no explanation of how he reacts.
Yeah, so, that ended up being a pile of random thoughts. Sorry. But, anyway, yeah, thank you for the ask!
