The Importance of Appearance and Appearance in "Phantom of the Opera" Paper Example

Introduction

Interactions of human beings statically create impressions of others long before interacting with them; they still judge a book by its cover (Holt 3). The physique positions an individual with their first impressions by how well they present themselves with appearances making a crucial contribution to the abstract image drawn of others. Importantly, it is not about necessarily making oneself attractive or appealing but the first appearance is very essential in gaining the prospect's trust to convey their right intentions (Holt 7). In Gaston Leroux's novel "Phantom of the Opera" makes significant connections of the essences of appearance in characterizations of the different characters. Appearance versus reality forms one of the principal themes in the plot development of the narrations to show the significance of the appearance of the impression created by the protagonists and the antagonists in the story. It is against this background that this resume will explore the different forms that human personality depicts the importance of appearance and the application of the essence on appearance in the modern world and its application in human existence.

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Human Characterization Through Appearance

Life changes, possibilities, and opportunities in motivating human behavior in the engagement of different actions in the bid to reap maximum benefits perception between reality and appearance. According to Gabriel and Matthews (21), the conduct of human being is motivated by a never-ending quest to meet and satisfy personal desires. The desires are categorized into five basic needs which include the love to belong, become powerful, enjoy personal freedom, exercise leisure, and as a survival tactic. Hence in human nature, the theme of appearance as portrayed to depict choice theory in the concession of the internal motivation of the reward or penalty that measures the consequences of our actions. In this sense, the tenants of choice theory show that individuals are anticipated to undertake a certain course of action with calculated evaluation of the likelihood of maximum satisfaction. Key elements that drive personal desire to achieve life goals constitute of the basic needs, quality of the world, reality and perception, situational factors, and holistic behavior. The rational characterization of the desire to fulfill one's obligation causes the choice theory to have unique form in understanding criminal justice (Siegel & Worrall 89).

Consequently, understanding how human actions towards calculated goals and individualistic desires give a better insight as to why different personalities engage in criminal activities as depicted by the character of the phantom. The general principles that drive rational choice theorists to the understanding of human reactions to a certain situation and the presumption of certain behavior/conduct include prestige, information, time, and monetary value. The desire to calculate maximum benefits out of any situation within the shortest time possible motivates a person to make certain choices that do not necessarily constitute legitimacy. Individual anticipations to prefer and engage in an alternative course of action that reaps maximum benefits at minimum time and effort results to engagement in different forms of criminal activities. Societal changes in morals and ethics have over the years changed systems in different institutions of life. Human conduct that was previously perceived to uphold certain moral obligations have in recent years changed meaning and emphasis on conduct (Johnson 2014). The phenomenon conducts that were previously held with prestige to uphold morally upright society have taken different twists due to the changes in the quality of life in the modern world. In recent years, the tendencies of individualism in the actions and interactions greatly influence the rationality and calculative perception of the benefits pegged. Intrinsic motivation in any undertaking outrages the moral standards of any course of action.

Modern life has multidimensional forms due to the individualistic character of the people, a wide range of tasks and responsibilities, and time pressure. Therefore, the coexistence of different people in a society with different goals, abilities, preferences, and traits in the struggle for limited resources trigger different people to conduct themselves in various ways. People of different moral standard conduct themselves in different ways geared toward achieving life goals. For instance, many people would wish to get rich quickly, earn a posh home, drive the latest model of cars, or even belong to prestigious social classification. In order to achieve all these life privileges, determination and hard work are virtually required. At certain times you would find an individual who would prefer to take a shorter route towards achieving the greater hand in life by engaging in criminal activities. An individual may choose to steal from sources they are well acquitted that the amount of money they need would be found easily. Others may choose to con their way out to possess their desires. When an individual chooses to take the easiest illegitimate action at certain instances others calculate the risk involved in the method they use to realize their life desires.

Theoretical Application on the Importance of Appearance

The application of choice theory in modern life is applicable due to the evolutional changes that have taken root in social and moral values. Modern life has taken a survival for the fittest turn, giving illegitimacy unbound power and freedom over the righteous. People will evaluate the duration of time taken to follow legitimate procedures in acquiring certain life desires and prefer the shorter route. Therefore, as they fulfill their survival need many people to choose to use procedures and routines that best fits their needs with maximum benefits regardless of the consequences.

The application of the total behavior principle of choice theory constitutes the thinking, physiological will, and feelings that change how different people exercise their freedom. Internal consultation in the course of action to be undertaken out of any given situation is dependent on an individual's characteristics and moral upholding either influenced by social setting or upbringing. How different people are socialized empower their ability to apply the tenants of choice Theory in real-time situations because different persons will solve or do a similar thing differently based on their traits.

The quality of the world or life gives live different meanings to different people. The way people visualizes the world gives them a significant relationship with their course of action. The momentum of life activities draws quality perceptions on the meaningful disciplines and organizational behavior in social relations. The magnitude of the reward and penalty achieved from one's actions characterizes the impact of personal growth and development as approaches of attaining quality world. For instance, an individual conducts him/herself in a manner putting other people's interests at heart they are encouraged to conduct themselves in manners that are beneficial to themselves and the society at large.

The Context of Appearance in “Phantom of the Opera”

The characterization of Phantom mainly through personification because of his hidden appearance draws abstract imaginary forms of the real appearance of Phantom. Initially, when Phantom presents himself to Christine as kind as well as the mysterious deep voice, he makes a visual confusion between the actual appearance and reality (Shah 13). Escalation of commitment in obstructing reality with appearance helps Phantom's persisted behavior in driving Christine in decision making, the course of action or manner of future plans despite repeated failure or loses. This behavior is continued action of the negative outcome but insisting to carry on with the plan. At certain times management makes losing decisions in the bid to save the initial idea making them repeatedly suffer losses with the persistent behavior of sticking to the original plan expecting to succeed along the way (Shah 14). At certain times the act of taking escalating commitments is drawn from justification that something leads to the outcome. These inner persuasions make the decision makers expect different results after repeating the same course of action. They blame external forces or phases of investment to justify their behavior though they may be destined to fail again or even get lucky to make the desired results. This trend can be done more than once to ensure the success of give-up on the failing actions. There are various instances when a character can experience an escalation of commitments in hiding their appearance to manipulate others (Shah 16). For instance, Phantom hides behind a face mask so that Christine cannot see his face and threatens her when she desires to see his true identity without considering the risks involved.

Through the plot development, Christine finds that the appearance and reality conflict of Phantom presents a different person because he is twisted and cruel unlike the initial presentation of kindness and humility. Again, according to Raoul, Phantom appears to be ruthless but when they interact and he spares his life because he feels that Raoul lives Christine more, he realizes his politeness and merciful nature (Shah 15). As the plot develops the appearance of Phantom are fading to reveal the reality and true identity of Eric who hides behind a face mask through the physical image Eric creates among the people he meets supersedes the true perception of his ideology and philosophies. The different forms Eric want to appear to the different people he interacts with makes him have multiple identities like in the Opera house he wants to be entertained, while on the other hand he also wants to be feared, obeyed and respected amidst the people working for him. Despite the multiple ways Phantom presents himself to the people he interacts with Leroux presents his weak spot when he literally weeps and begs the love of his life to go with him. In the entire character development, Leroux draws the essence of appearance in defining the character and how others perceive another person (Meyer 158). Through this development, the narration is able to show that the physical attributed described by the author make considerable attributes to the personality of individuals in the story (Schneider 649).

The Philosophical View on the Importance of Appearance

In the "Forgotten Faces", Pierce mentions that the importance of appearance with or without forgiveness to rebuild continuous phases of solutions between conflicting relationships and discouraging revenge. In the analysis on the "1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die", Schneider, encompasses the importance of appearance with a lasting political, social and economic process that transit between personal relations. Fair and unfair treatment of both the victim and the perpetrator builds the foundations of negotiating significant social stratification towards forgiveness. The "The Canary Trainer" relays the interaction of key issues that help to identify and reorganize priorities when dealing with sensitive social problems that instigate conflict. The possibility of looking for solutions in conflict needs to ensure the satisfaction of all involved parties without favoring any one over others. The process of the importance of appearance through forgiveness is seen in this "Phantom of Opera" to reduce victimization but, promote proper relations during a post-conflict transition in the struggle of lasting peaceful coexistence.

Eric the phantom perceives justice as a representation of fairness to benefit both sides of the coin without favoritism. The victim and...