book review of canterville ghost in 250 words

Chapter 1-3: The Haunted House and the Otis Family's Arrival

The Otis family purchases Canterville Chase, despite warnings about the ghost. They are met with Sir Simon's attempts to scare them, but the family remains unfazed.

Chapter 4-6: The Ghost's Failed Attempts and the Otis Family's Pranks

Sir Simon's frightening tactics fail to scare the Otis family, who respond with practical jokes and disregard for the ghostly presence. The clash between tradition and modernity is evident.

Chapter 7-9: Virginia's Encounter with the Ghost

Virginia, the Otis's daughter, shows empathy towards Sir Simon and makes a significant connection with him. This encounter brings a shift in the dynamics of the story.

Chapter 10-12: The Resolution and Redemption

As the story progresses, secrets from Sir Simon's past are revealed, leading to a resolution that offers redemption and closure for the ghost and the Otis family.

• The Otis family moves into Canterville Chase, unfazed by the warnings about the ghost.
• Sir Simon's failed attempts to scare the family and their humorous responses.
• Virginia's empathetic encounter with the ghost, leading to revelations about Sir Simon's past.
• The resolution that brings closure to the haunting and the characters' arcs.
• Tradition vs. Modernity: The clash between traditional ghostly haunting and the pragmatic, modern attitudes of the Otis family.
• Empathy and Redemption: The transformative power of empathy and the potential for redemption, as seen through Virginia's interactions with Sir Simon.
• The Supernatural and the Mundane: The coexistence of the supernatural world with the everyday lives of the characters, highlighting the contrast between the two.

"The Canterville Ghost" provides insights into the human experience, exploring the themes of acceptance, empathy, and the capacity for change. The novella offers a nuanced portrayal of the complexities of human nature and the potential for personal growth and redemption.

Readers of "The Canterville Ghost" will be treated to a delightful and thought-provoking story that seamlessly blends humor, romance, and the supernatural. The novella's timeless themes and engaging characters make it a compelling read for audiences of all ages, offering valuable insights into human nature and the power of empathy and understanding.

In conclusion, "The Canterville Ghost" stands as a captivating work that continues to resonate with readers over a century after its initial publication. Oscar Wilde's masterful storytelling, coupled with the exploration of timeless themes, ensures that the novella remains a beloved literary classic. Whether readers are drawn to its witty humor, supernatural elements, or profound insights, "The Canterville Ghost" continues to enchant and inspire audiences with its enduring appeal.

The Canterville Ghost FAQ

What is 'the canterville ghost' about.

The Canterville Ghost is a humorous short story by Oscar Wilde about an American family who moves into a haunted English mansion and their interactions with the ghost who haunts it.

Who are the main characters in 'The Canterville Ghost'?

The main characters are Mr. and Mrs. Otis, their four children, and the ghost of Sir Simon Canterville.

Is 'The Canterville Ghost' a horror story?

No, 'The Canterville Ghost' is not a traditional horror story. It is a comedic and satirical take on the ghost story genre.

What is the tone of 'The Canterville Ghost'?

The tone of 'The Canterville Ghost' is lighthearted and humorous, with elements of satire and social commentary.

Is 'The Canterville Ghost' suitable for children?

Yes, 'The Canterville Ghost' is suitable for children and is often considered a children's story due to its playful and entertaining nature.

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The Canterville Ghost by Oscar Wilde: Summary and Analysis

The Canterville Ghost is a short story written by Oscar Wilde. It was first published in 1887. Unknown to many, this was his first published prose fiction work.

Contrary to what the title of the story may suggest, this is a humorous story at the core of which lies the differences in the American and British culture.

The Canterville Ghost: Plot Summary and Analysis

Mr. Otis , an American minister, was looking to buy Canterville Chase, a castle that  belonged to Sir Canterville. The castle was not inhabited by the Canterville family for decades now, the reason being that it was believed to be haunted.

Sir Canterville declared this upfront to Mr Otis, who discarding the haunted castle rumors offered to buy both the castle and ghost – at valuation.

Mr. Otis moved into the castle with his wife, his son (Washington), his daughter (Virginia) and his two younger twins and were greeted by the castle housekeeper, Mrs. Umney.

They noticed the blood stain in the hall and Mrs. Umney let them know that it was from when Sir Canterville brutally murdered his wife.

The family was far from spooked by this – rather proceeding to grab their cleaning supplies to scrub that spot right off the floor.

The stain came right off.

The following days, the blood stain re-appeared – although what was noticeable was that blood stain had different hues each time.

The family finally accepted there might be some truth to the rumors, but still went about their business as usual.

The ghost finally made an appearance one night and Mr Otis was the one to see him, but instead of being scared – he requested  that he put some oil into the chains so that he didn’t make so much noise while walking around in the night.

The ghost was surprised, as this was not the normal reaction he was accustomed to. Never in a brilliant and uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted.

Taking this as an insult to his natural scaring power, he took it upon himself to make even bigger spectacles – what went on in the following days was actually opposite to what he imagined.

The kids attacked him pea shooters, and played elaborate pranks on him – on one occasion even scaring with a replica skeleton. Insulted and tired, the ghost eventually retired to his own room – feeling even more depressed.

Viriginia, Mr Otis’ daughter found him one day and was pained to see the ghost, visibly sad and distraught – who told her that he was very tired and had not slept in three hundred years.

He asked for her help – knowing that she had a compassionate heart – unlike the rest of her treacherous family.

She agreed to help him, although she was terrified of what lied ahead. They disappeared into a garden of death. 

Desperate search ensued to find Virginia – who was nowhere to be found. The family was distraught, as was the Duke of Cheshire, who had been courting Virginia for quite some time now.

Her mother was on the verge of a nervous breakdown, when Virginia finally came back to the house. She let the family know that Sir Simon Canterville, the ghost, was now at rest.

The ghost, in turn, had left her a box of rare jewels as a gift for her help.

Although Virginia never told anyone what happened in the garden of death, she always remembered Sir Simon with love and was thankful for sharing the wisdom:

Love is stronger than life and death.

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The Canterville Ghost: Review and My Thoughts

The story is a delightful read – more so because it did not turn out to be a tale of horror – which if truth be told, I do not have a stomach for.

Although the story still had a very profound message at the end, it was the characteristic humor that stood out for me.

So, you are buying a house and the first thing someone told you was that it was haunted.

What would your reaction be?

Mr Otis’ reaction on hearing this news was priceless.

I will take the furniture and the ghost at a valuation, answered the minister.

I wonder what Sir Canterville would have thought in his head, when he listened to that.

Not only that, he made it plainly clear that an incident or a commodity of that nature, if known in America, would be a rage.

I reckoned if there were such a thing as a ghost in Europe, we’d have it home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the road as a show.

Thinking that Mr Otis was not able to fully understand the gravity of situation at his hand, Sir Canterville made another attempt to explain.

The ghost has been well known for three centuries and always makes an appearance before the death of any member of the family, 

To which Mr Otis, quickly remarked – So does the family doctor for that matter

One hell of a lesson in lateral thinking, isn’t it?

There is no such thing as a ghost and I guess the laws of nature are not going to be suspended for the British Aristocracy.

Quite a jab at the British aristocracy there! 

British never seem to have seen eye to eye on their language:

… We really have everything in common with America nowadays, except of course, the language.

The story is replete with differences in the British and American culture, a product, I suppose, of Wilde’s experiences in America on his lecture tours there. He pays a little homage to H.W. Longfellow as well, a celebrated American poet.

Consider this –

He had hoped that even Modern Americans would be thrilled by the sight of a spectre in armour, if for no more sensible reason , at least out of respect for their national poet Longfellow, over whose graceful and attractive poetry he himself had whiled away many a weary hour when the Canterville were up in town.

Although this was a ghost story, I was still surprised to know that our ghost had actually killed his wife (I know people can be stupid, right?) for a reason that was even more surprising than the act itself – she was plain looking and didn’t cook well.

But having been rebuked by Virginia for that, he simply responds with-

Oh, I hate the cheap severity of abstract ethics . 

Made me think.

That is after picked myself up from the floor laughing.

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Oscar Wilde's The Canterville Ghost: A Detailed Summary and a Literary Analysis

At their core, most Victorian ghost stories are oblique commentaries on the discombobulating transition from agrarian pre-modernity to industrial capitalism. There is, of course, far more to them than this, but ghost stories found a peculiar vogue during the Industrial Revolution as Britons (who were increasingly middle-class, urban, and intellectual) struggled to reconcile these drastic developments with many, many centuries as superstitious, rural, peasants.

Folklore had the glue of English society prior to the 18th century, where the same families had nestled in the same rainy villages for centuries, using the same technologies and hearing the same ghost stories for many generations. With capitalism and industrialism came new technologies, better medicine, longer lives, and more mobility, and this lead many people to wonder if humanity was evolving beyond the morals of past centuries.

In ghost stories by Charles Dickens, Rhoda Broughton, Mrs. Oliphant, Elizabeth Gaskell, J. S. Le Fanu, Charlotte Riddell, Amelia B. Edwards, and Wilkie Collins, English readers were encouraged to question how far we truly had evolved. These tales generally decided that steam-engines, Darwinian biology, and mass-market publishing may have prettied mankind up a bit, but we were still subject to the same crimes, temptations, and terrors of our agrarian forefathers. The clash between the not-so-distant past and the steam-powered future lead to a tremendous fashion of ghosts, providing a convenient and navigable space for modern Britons to ponder the rapidly developing times that they lived in. Was there still justice? Did morals still matter? Had we outgrown social accountability? Ghost stories answered these questions and soothed the aching growing pains of Victorian society as the next hundred years saw humanity graduate from candles, lancets, and buggies to electricity, penicillin, and automobiles.

“The Canterville Ghost” is one of the most unusual entries in this genre, because it ponders the same problems with humor rather than horror. This is, of course, not the first example of this (in many ways this story is done in the tradition of Charles Dickens, whose comical ghost stories “The Lawyer and the Ghost,” “The Bagman’s Uncle,” and “Baron Koeldwethout’s Apparition” also used the supernatural as a comedic arbiter of the changing times), but it is without a doubt the most famous comic ghost story in British literature. Wilde goes a step further and introduces yet another frightening development of the Victorian Age to act as a threat to England’s national traditions – the looming, farcical enemy of so many stodgy, English characters in his plays and stories: the American nouveau riche.

Towards the turn of the 20th century, the American ambassador to London, Hirim B. Otis, leases the rural manor, Canterville Chase, and moves his loud, rambunctious family into the grim hall – all in spite of the locals’ grave warnings that it has been haunted for centuries. This is hardly a deterrent, however: Otis views the ghost as a quaint feature of English country living, not a bug, and agrees to buy the specter along with the furniture. The family – his wife, his adult son Washington, his teenage daughter Virginia, and his younger twin sons – don’t expect to actually see a ghost, but they quickly get to know Sir Simon de Canterville – the spirit of a 16th century squire who aims to terrify them. This begins with a gruesome bloodstain on the carpet, but the modern Americans are nonplussed: Mrs. Otis “does not care at all” for it, and when the servants provide the fearful intelligence that the bloodstain is supernatural and cannot be washed away, young Washington confidently recommends that they use Pinkerton’s Champion Stain Remover and Paragon Detergent.

Soon after, Sir Simon appears to Mr. Otis in the middle of the night – wailing and clanking his rusted chains. Otis lumbers out of bed, unimpressed, and suggests that the ghost try Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator to oil his shackles. All of this worries the ghost, who is disappointed and concerned that he is losing his touch, and he thinks back on the way he terrified past residents through the centuries. Throughout the coming weeks he tries different tricks – making his bloodstain ghoulishly change colors and appearing in a variety of theatrical, ghostly forms (including the Headless Earl, the Blood-Sucker of Bexley Moor, the Suicide’s Skeleton, and the Strangled Babe) – but the family is mildly entertained at best, and bored at worst, leaving Sir Simon depressed and helpless.

Mrs. Otis tries her hand at abating Sir Simon’s depression by slipping him indigestion tonics and pondering joining the Psychical Research Society (a move which Wilde notes as a sign that although she was a New York heiress, “in many respects, she was quite English”), but the ghost continues to slip deeper into misery and purposelessness. To make things worse, he has been regularly pranked by the abominable Otis twins, who have employed tripwires, buckets of water, butter slides, and peashooters to humiliate the self-important specter. Perhaps most embarrassing, the twins terrify him with a ghost of their own -- made from a bedsheet, a jack-o-lantern, and a butcher's knife.

At this point, the mood of the story shifts: Sir Simon lets go of his attempts to matter and falls into a black depression. Unexpectedly, he begins to find sympathy from the only Otis who has not attempted to solve his problems with pragmatism, commercialism, or humiliation – 15 year old Virginia. Quiet and observant, Virginia is not like the rest of her family – she and Sir Simon gently bond 0ver their mutual loneliness, and he softly opens up about the shameful death of his wife, Lady Eleanor, whose death left his spirit stranded in their shared home.

Sir Simon had murdered his beautiful wife in a jealous rage, based on unfounded rumors, and was looked in a secret room by her vengeful brothers, where he died of thirst and hunger. For centuries he has been languishing in shame and self-loathing, and now all that he longs for is to sleep in the Garden of Death, but the Angel of Death has forbidden it, and his soul is trapped in Canterville Chase.

Virginia listens patiently to Sir Simon, sharing in his suffering, and he pleads with her to help him – to weep for him, as he cannot weep, to pray for him as he has no faith left, and to travel with him to the underworld to plead for the release of his soul. He hopes that, since she is still so young, it will enact a prophecy that his curse can only be broken through the love of an innocent child -- a restoration which will cause the manor's centuries-barren almond tree to bloom once again. Virginia does this – weeping and praying for him, and then passing through the wall into the supernatural realm – the Garden of Death – where she accompanies him to the afterlife, passionately appeals to the Angel of Death to release his soul, and tells him goodbye.

Virginia fails to appear at dinner and the family grows worried, but after a frantic search they find her standing at the top of the stairs in the dark. She has returned to the mortal world, bearing the Canterville family jewels -- a parting token from Sir Simon -- and reports that Sir Simon has departed forever. She leads the family to a secret room in a corridor deep in the heart of the manor. There they find Sir Simon's pathetic, skeletal remains chained to the wall, laying in the spot where he starved to death. Virginia kneels at the spot and prays for his soul to find peace, and at the moment the blighted almond tree miraculously blooms outside.

Four days later their provide him with a lavish, dignified Christian burial. They invite Sir Simon's ancestors, and offer to return the family jewels, but they insist that Virginia keep them as a token of the family's thanks.

Virginia is spiritually transformed by the experience, and returns from the Garden of Death with a serene maturity which seems poised to redeem the shallow coarseness of her American family and the irrelevant aloofness of her adopted British culture. She never shares what she experienced in the Garden of Death, and it remains her secret for the rest of her life. A few years later she marries an English duke, to whom she tells the story of her transcendental experience with Sir Simon: a ghost who taught her “what Life is, and what Death signifies, and why Love is stronger than both.”

By the 1880s the United States had unexpectedly been able to survive the Revolutionary War, the constitutional crisis, the War of 1812, several economic depressions, the assassination of two presidents, several complete transformations of its core political parties, the national sin of chattel slavery, and the great Civil War. Up to this point Britain had been the uncontested super power of the Western world, and although this supremacy would go unchallenged until World War One, everyone could see America’s star rising in world affairs. Transatlantic relations between the two countries began to become more balanced: before the Civil War, Americans were hopelessly out of their depth, and though charmingly provincial, were still desperate for acceptance by their English cousins. But by the Grover Cleveland administration, the United States had become a formidable economic power on the global stage, and cocksure Yankees were flooding British society – shocking Britain’s elite with their unapologetic optimism and charming the middle class with their sunny egalitarianism.

In “The Canterville Ghost” the meeting between the Otis’s (the name of a well-respected New England family, by the way) and Sir Simon is more than transatlantic culture shock – in many ways it is a deeply spiritual reconciliation between both countries’ deepest insecurities. Americans were decidedly vulgar, petty, shallow, materialistic, and overly optimistic. Britons, on the other hand, were decidedly classist, grave, melodramatic, obsessed with the past, and overly pessimistic. Wilde, who adored Americans, has the two parties address one another’s insufficiencies: the Americans learn to appreciate history, gravity, and metaphysics, while the British learn to be proactive, confrontational, and to let go of the past.

Virginia – Wilde’s typical unsullied, American belle – serves as the hinge between the two parties. She lacks her parents’ (and her brothers’) servile faith in capitalism (manifested in their hilarious belief in the ability of mass-market consumer products to solve all metaphysical problems), but has the youthful innocence needed to break the curse (a rare find in morbid, sardonic Britain).

The story is absolutely hysterical, but notably ends on a somber, spiritual note whereby the Americans lose their bumbling silliness and the Britons learn to move beyond the past by addressing historical sins head-on. Virginia’s wedding to the duke is the culmination of this transatlantic reunion, promising to help the two countries heal their vices and move on from their insecurities. Sir Simon is brought to peace by Virginia’s belief in grace (while so many other women were driven mad, brought to fits, and made suicidal by their encounters with him) and her faith in forgiveness (a notably rare trait in Wilde’s British women – e.g. the name-conscious Gwendolyn and Cecily in “Being Ernest”).

Like Sibyl Vane in “Dorian Gray,” Virginia is not interested in public spectacles or falsified emotions: both women stand out from Wilde’s menagerie of characters for being open-hearted, accepting, and sincere. But unlike Sibyl, whom Dorian rejects, Virginia is able to break the curse of sin by facing it unflinchingly, and providing Sir Simon with unwavering moral support. Guided by her kindness and acceptance, he is able to pass into the afterlife, and the story ends with a hopeful prospect for Britain and America’s transatlantic relationship.

You can read the original story HERE!

And you can find our annotated and illustrated edition of The Picture of Dorian Gray and Oscar Wilde's Gothic tales HERE!

OLDSTYLE TALES PRESS |  FORT WAYNE, IND. [email protected]  

• Annotated Full Text
• Literary Period: Victorian
• Publication Date: 1887
• Flesch-Kincaid Level: 10
• Approx. Reading Time: 56 minutes

The Canterville Ghost

Wilde published “The Canterville Ghost” in 1887 at the end of the Victorian period. This short tale is a study in contrasts, simultaneously parodying the traditional ghost story and satirizing American values. While Wilde most obviously satirizes American materialism, English traditional culture is also fair game. In this humorous tale, an American family buys the old, haunted Canterville Chase from Lord Canterville who warns them of the ghost, Sir Simon, that haunts the mansion. The Americans are undaunted, and the ghosts efforts to terrorize the family are done in vain. Aside from the humorous satire, Wilde does include a serious message through the actions of young Virginia who learns what life and death truly are, and why love is stronger than both.

Table of Contents

• Chapter II.
• Chapter III.
• Chapter IV.
• Chapter VI.
• Chapter VII.
• Character Analysis
• Foreshadowing
• Historical Context
• Literary Devices
• Personification

Study Guide

• Oscar Wilde Biography

Teaching Resources

• The Canterville Ghost Teaching Guide

The Canterville Ghost Summary by Oscar Wilde

Table of Contents

“The Canterville Ghost” starts with the sale of an old British mansion called Canterville Chase to Horace B. Otis, an American minister. Though the prior owner, Lord Canterville, notifies Mr. Otis that the mansion is haunted, Mr. Otis is not feeling terrible and replies with bravery that ghosts do not exist even its all about to develop terrible effect.

“Pinkerton’s Champion Stain Remover and Paragon Detergent” Oscar Wilde

Their housekeeper discloses that it is a stain of blood from the murder of The Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was get victimised in 1575 by her husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, and that it cannot vanish. She gives warning Mrs Otis that Sir Simon’s guilty ghost still haunts Canterville Chase.

The next day, the Otises shocked, find that the stain has strangely returned. For the next few days, they habitually clean the stain only to see it return back the next day morning. Intrigued, the family of Otis decides that the house is, in fact, ghostly.

A few nights later, Mr. Otis is waked in the half of the night by a clanging voice. Venturing into the lobby, he encounters the ghost of Sir Simon.

Rather than being scared by Sir Simon’s (ghost’s) burning red eyes, matted hair, and rusty manacles, Mr. Otis asks the ghost to oil its chains as it’s impossible for him to sleep with such a noise going on outside the bedrooms.

Extremely humiliated, Sir Simon retreats down the hallway until he encounters the twins, who throw pillows at his head. Returning to his chamber, Sir Simon recalls his long and prosperous future as a ghost, furious that never approximate in three hundred years of haunting maids and guests has he been so disrespected.

Determined to fright these “ wretched modern Americans ,” Sir Simon stays up all night intrigue his revenge. The ghost disappears from the rest of the week. The only strange thing blood-stain found every day with change colour.

Virginia was annoyed to see the bloodstain, she nearly cried the morning when the stain was green. Silent Night, the family went to bed terrible smash in the hallway.

Unexpected things happen suit of armour fallen, twins start shooting peas. The ghost stood up with an annoying howl and passed through them like a haze.

Having failed to frighten the family, the ghost returns back to the room and for a few days, he does nothing to frighten the family. He just renews the blood-stains. Once he assumes a white sheet as a ghost and gets frightened but soon comes to know that it is not a ghost.

The twins keep on annoying him. One night when he tries to open the half-closed door of the twins, a jug full of water, falls on him thus wetting him completely. The twins burst into laughter. The ghost gives up all the hopes of frightening the family and disappears.

Virginia decides him to pray for him and support him find peace in death and get relief. She shadows him into the death portal that opens in the house, assured that she’ll be harmless due to her virtue and purity.

Virginia comes back in the morning, having escorted the forgiven spirit into the afterlife. The family has done a frantic search for Virginia and are much relieved to hear what really occurred.

“When a golden girl can win Prayer from out the lips of sin, When the barren almond bears, And a little child gives away its tears, Then shall all the house be still And peace comes to Centerville.” Oscar Wilde, The Centerville Ghost

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“The Canterville Ghost” by Oscar Wilde

Oscar Wilde’s “The Canterville Ghost,” first published in 1887 in The Court and Society Review, is a humorous short story.

Introduction: “The Canterville Ghost” by Oscar Wilde

Table of Contents

“The Canterville Ghost” by Oscar Wilde first published in 1887 in The Court and Society Review, is a humorous short story. It tells the tale of an American family who move into a haunted English mansion, Canterville Chase, and their encounters with the resident ghost. The story blends humor and supernatural elements, making it one of Wilde’s most popular works. Adapted into various stage plays, films, and television shows, “The Canterville Ghost” remains a beloved classic in the genre of ghost stories.

Main Events in “The Canterville Ghost” by Oscar Wilde

• The American Otis family, pragmatic and materialistic, purchases Canterville Chase despite Lord Canterville’s warnings about its resident ghost.
• Sir Simon, the Canterville Ghost, takes pride in his centuries-long career of haunting, but his attempts to frighten the Otis family with rattling chains, bloodstains, and eerie moans are met with laughter and even offers of cleaning products.
• The Otis family’s indifference and mockery undermine Sir Simon’s sense of importance as a ghost, leaving him frustrated and humiliated.
• Virginia Otis, the sensitive daughter, develops a connection with the ghost, recognizing the sadness and despair beneath his frightening facade.
• Sir Simon confides in Virginia, revealing the tragic murder of his wife, Eleanore, and the curse that binds his spirit to the house.
• Virginia learns of an ancient prophecy, stating that if a young girl shows compassion and weeps for his sins, the Canterville Ghost will find peace.
• Virginia, with bravery and kindness, enters a hidden realm with Sir Simon to confront the prophecy and break the curse.
• Sir Simon’s soul is released, and he finally finds eternal rest. The act of forgiveness transforms the house as well.
• The Otis family’s experiences with the ghost leave a lasting impression, challenging their previous focus on materialism.
• Virginia and the young Duke of Cheshire, who had been enamored with her since their first meeting, develop a deep bond.
• Years later, Virginia and the Duke marry, and she shares the secret of Sir Simon’s redemption with her husband.
• Virginia chooses to honor Sir Simon’s memory and keep his experience private, demonstrating her respect and maturity.
• Overall, “The Canterville Ghost” is a humorous and poignant commentary on the clash between modernity and tradition, as well as a reflection on the human desire for redemption and forgiveness.

Literary Devices in “The Canterville Ghost” by Oscar Wilde

• Example: Sir Simon Canterville’s former position as “a member of the House of Commons” is a clear allusion to the British Parliament.
• Example: Sir Simon Canterville functions as the main antagonist, attempting to intimidate and frighten the Otis family.
• Example: Wilde’s characterization highlights cultural differences: he contrasts the American practicality of the Otis family with Sir Simon’s embodiment of British tradition.
• Example: The central conflict pits the modern and the traditional against each other, represented by the American Otis family and the spectral Sir Simon.
• Example: Sir Simon’s persistent bloodstain foreshadows his violent past and the later revelation of his tragic history.
• Example: Wilde employs hyperbole to humorously illustrate the ineffectiveness of Sir Simon’s haunting techniques in the face of the Otis family’s modern practicality (i.e., lubricating his chains).
• Example: Wilde’s imagery brings Canterville Chase to life with details like “the old moat” and “the rusty weathercock”.
• Example: The story is brimming with irony; the Otis family’s lack of fear towards a centuries-old ghost subverts classic horror tropes.
• Example: Wilde’s metaphorical descriptions of Sir Simon’s ghostly form (“skeleton”, “wraith”) contribute to the story’s atmosphere
• Example: The personification of Sir Simon’s ghost is evident in descriptions like “writhing in a mist of green vapour.”
• Example: “The Canterville Ghost” satirizes American and British cultures, as well as the conventions of the traditional ghost story.
• Example: Wilde compares the Otis twins to “two most determined champions of civilisation” through a simile.
• Example: The “bloodstain” symbolizes both Sir Simon’s past violence and his trapped spirit, yearning for redemption.
• Example: Wilde employs a humorous and ironic tone in “The Canterville Ghost,” gently mocking traditional superstitions and beliefs.
• Example: Mrs. Otis’s remarked that  ghost has fled after encountering Sir Simon, is a prime example of verbal irony.

Characterization in “The Canterville Ghost” by Oscar Wilde

Major Themes in “The Canterville Ghost” by Oscar Wilde

• Modernity vs. Tradition: This central clash is embodied by the American Otis family’s practicality and materialism against the specter of Sir Simon Canterville, who represents tradition and the supernatural. This is exemplified by the contrasting approaches to the bloodstain: Mrs. Otis’s focus on removing it with Pinkerton’s Stain Remover, versus its centuries-old role as a symbol of Sir Simon’s guilt.
• The Power of Redemption: Sir Simon’s transformation from a terrifying figure to a pitiable one reveals the possibility of redemption. His murder of his wife, Eleanore, burdens his soul. Through Virginia’s compassion and her fulfillment of the prophecy, his spirit can finally find rest.
• The Importance of Empathy and Compassion: Virginia’s ability to look beyond Sir Simon’s frightening facade and see his suffering highlights the power of empathy. Her kindness is the key to breaking his curse, demonstrating that compassion can transform even the most hardened of hearts.
• The Transience of Life: Time is a recurring motif, with Sir Simon’s centuries of haunting juxtaposed with Virginia’s poignant reminder that “Life is brief, and time is a thief.” This theme emphasizes the importance of living fully and recognizing the preciousness of each moment.
• The Illusion of Fear: Wilde masterfully subverts traditional horror tropes. Sir Simon’s attempts to instill fear in the Otis family prove comically ineffective, revealing how fear can distort reality. The story encourages readers to question their assumptions and confront the often-illusory nature of their anxieties.

Writing Style in “The Canterville Ghost” by Oscar Wilde

• Humor and Satire: Wilde infuses the story with his trademark wit. He satirizes both American and British cultures, as well as conventions of the traditional ghost story. For example, the Otis family’s modern solutions to spectral issues (lubricating chains with Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator) subvert expectations and mock superstitious beliefs.
• Irony: The core irony of the story lies in the ghost being more frightened of the family than vice versa. This challenges traditional horror tropes.
• Paradox: Wilde combines seemingly contradictory elements, like a comedic ghost story. This approach highlights societal absurdities and entertains the reader.
• Hyperbole: Exaggerating the ghost’s failures and the family’s indifference creates a humorous tone, as in Sir Simon’s elaborate haunting attempts being thwarted by modern practicality.
• Dialogue: Wilde leverages dialogue to reveal character dynamics and inner thoughts. The Otis family’s dismissive remarks about the ghost (“I really don’t think there are any ghosts in Europe”) expose their pragmatic worldview, contrasting with Sir Simon’s lament, “They have starved me to death.”.
• Vivid Imagery: Wilde paints a detailed picture of the setting and characters with evocative imagery. Canterville Chase is described with elements like the “rusty weathercock” and the “old moat,” adding both atmosphere and grounding the story in a tangible world.

Literary Theories and Interpretation of “The Canterville Ghost” by Oscar Wilde

• Marxist Criticism : Marxist critics could interpret the story as a critique of the class system and the materialism of the upper class. The Otis family, representing a new American capitalist model, is portrayed as practical and focused on solutions. In contrast, Sir Simon Canterville, an aristocratic figure, embodies a fading social order and outdated traditions. Their clashes underscore changing economic structures and their accompanying ideologies.
• Psychoanalytic Criticism : Psychoanalytic critics might view the story as an exploration of the unconscious mind. Sir Simon Canterville’s haunting could be analyzed as a manifestation of repressed guilt over the murder of his wife, Eleanore. Virginia’s interactions with him might be interpreted as symbolizing a psychological journey towards confronting trauma and facilitating healing.
• Feminist Criticism : Feminist critics might examine the story’s portrayal of gender roles and patriarchy. Virginia’s role as a compassionate figure facilitating Sir Simon’s redemption could be seen as potentially reinforcing traditional female stereotypes. However, her agency in fulfilling the prophecy offers a counterpoint for analysis. Her marriage to the Duke of Cheshire could be viewed as either reaffirming patriarchal power structures or offering a nuanced commentary on social expectations.
• Reader-Response Criticism : Reader-response critics would focus on how individuals interpret the story’s themes, with potential variations based on their own experiences and backgrounds. The story’s use of humor and satire might resonate differently depending on a reader’s understanding of tradition, cultural clashes, and evolving social norms.
• Postcolonial Criticism : Postcolonial critics might analyze the story as a commentary on British imperialism and its legacy. The Otis family’s disregard for Sir Simon’s history and traditions could be interpreted as a power reversal, with the American family (former colony) challenging the British figure (former colonizer). This approach offers a lens to examine how the story engages with imbalances resulting from colonialism.

Questions and Thesis Statements about “The Canterville Ghost” by Oscar Wilde

1. Question: How does Wilde employ humor and satire to critique societal norms of his time?

• Thesis Statement: Oscar Wilde’s “The Canterville Ghost” uses humor and satire to expose the absurdity of Victorian social expectations, particularly those surrounding class, tradition, and the supernatural.

2. Question: In what ways does Virginia Otis embody both traditional female stereotypes and a potential subversion of those expectations?

• Thesis Statement: Virginia Otis initially appears to conform to the trope of the angelic Victorian woman, but her empathy, bravery, and role in breaking the curse offer a more nuanced portrayal challenging the era’s limited gender roles.

3. Question: How does the clash between American practicality and British tradition in “The Canterville Ghost” reflect larger cultural shifts of the time?

• Thesis Statement: The conflict between the Otis family and Sir Simon Canterville humorously embodies the tension between rising American economic might and the fading British aristocracy, signaling changing global power dynamics in the late 19th century.

4. Question: To what extent can Sir Simon’s haunting be interpreted through a psychoanalytic lens, and what might this reveal about Wilde’s understanding of trauma and repression?

• Thesis Statement: A psychoanalytic reading of “The Canterville Ghost” reveals Sir Simon’s haunting as a manifestation of unresolved guilt and repressed trauma; this suggests Wilde’s awareness of the complex workings of the subconscious mind.

5. Question: How might a postcolonial reading of “The Canterville Ghost” complicate the story’s seemingly lighthearted humor and expose deeper themes?

• Thesis Statement: While comedic on the surface, a postcolonial reading of “The Canterville Ghost” uncovers subtexts of power imbalance and colonial legacy, particularly in the Otis family’s dismissal of British tradition and Sir Simon’s ghostly authority.

Short Question-Answer “The Canterville Ghost” by Oscar Wilde

1. Question: How does Wilde use irony to create humor in the story?

Answer: Wilde skillfully employs situational irony throughout “The Canterville Ghost.” The core irony is that the centuries-old ghost of Sir Simon is utterly ineffective at terrifying the practical American Otis family. Their dismissive reactions to his haunting attempts and focus on modern solutions (like lubricating his chains) completely subvert the expectations of a traditional horror story, creating a comedic effect.

2. Question: What is the significance of the bloodstain in the story?

Answer: The persistent bloodstain in Canterville Chase serves as a potent symbol of Sir Simon’s guilt over murdering his wife, Eleanore. It’s a constant reminder of his past crime and the reason for his haunting. However, the stain also signifies a potential for redemption, as the prophecy states that its removal by a virtuous young girl will break the curse.

3. Question: Why is Virginia the only one who can help Sir Simon?

Answer: Virginia’s compassion and empathy set her apart from the rest of her family. She possesses a sensitivity that allows her to see beyond Sir Simon’s frightening facade and recognize his suffering. Her willingness to understand his pain and fulfill the prophecy is what ultimately allows him to find peace and break free from his curse.

4. Question: Does the story have a happy ending?

Answer: “The Canterville Ghost” has a bittersweet, but ultimately hopeful ending. Sir Simon finds release from his centuries of haunting, offering a sense of closure and peace. Virginia’s marriage to the Duke of Cheshire suggests a happy future for her. Yet, there’s also a touch of melancholy as the ghost’s presence – however disruptive – is what gave Canterville Chase its unique character.

Suggested Readings: “The Canterville Ghost” by Oscar Wilde

Scholarly works.

• Ellmann, Richard. Oscar Wilde . New York: Vintage Books, 1988. Print.
• Mason, Stuart. Bibliography of the Works of Oscar Wilde . London: Haskell House Publishers, 1972. Print.
• Nassaar, Christopher S. “The Canterville Ghost as a Gothic Parody.” Short Story Criticism , edited by Jelena Krstovic, vol. 109, Gale, 2009. Literature Resource Center.
• Raby, Peter, ed. The Cambridge Companion to Oscar Wilde . Cambridge University Press, 1997. Print.

Primary Text

• Wilde, Oscar. “The Canterville Ghost.” The Complete Works of Oscar Wilde . Project Gutenberg, www.gutenberg.org/files/14753/14753-h/14753-h.html

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• “A Small, Good Thing” by Raymond Carver

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The Canterville Ghost By Oscar Wilde.

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Edition Details

• Oscar Wilde

Publication

2016-10-07 - Createspace Independent Publishing Platform

Physical Format

11000 words, Guess

Identifiers

• Internet Archive cantervilleghost0000osca
• ISBN-10 1539382567
• ISBN-13 9781539382560
• Better World Books W7-CVL-240
• Open Library OL33081733M

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