Back

Phantom of the Opera: Father-Daughter Incest, Trauma, and Recovery.

  • Published In: Psychoanalytic Review, 2026, v. 113, n. 1. P. 61 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Giannandrea, Paul F. 3 of 3

Abstract

I offer a psychoanalytic interpretation of The Phantom of the Opera as an allegory of father-daughter incest and psychological recovery. Christine Daaé's journey illustrates the internal dynamics of trauma—denial, dissociation, and identification with the abuser—while her final confrontation with the Phantom symbolizes the reclamation of agency and selfhood. Drawing on symbolic actions such as unmasking and descent into the unconscious, the analysis explores how narrative, performance, and relational support can reflect the nonlinear process of healing. Ultimately, Christine's transformation from victim to survivor reveals the potential for integration and autonomy through insight, confrontation, and emotional truth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Additional Information

  • Source:Psychoanalytic Review. 2026/03, Vol. 113, Issue 1, p61
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Social Sciences and Humanities
  • Publication Date:2026
  • ISSN:0033-2836
  • DOI:10.1521/prev.2026.113.1.61
  • Accession Number:192308943
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Psychoanalytic Review is the property of Guilford Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Looking to go deeper into this topic? Look for more articles on EBSCOhost.