The Canterville Ghost" is a short story by Oscar Wilde, widely adapted for the screen and stage. It was the first of Wilde's stories to be published.

1. The
CanterVille
Ghost

2. A gifted poet , playwright and wit, Oscar Wilde
was a phenomenon in 19th century England.
Oscar Wilde was born in Dublin, 1854.
He studied at Trinity College before leaving his native
land, Ireland, to study at Oxford University.
On his arrival to America, Oscar stirred the nation with
his flamboyant personality.
His famous works are “The Happy Prince” and “The
Selfish Giant”.

3. “The Canterville Ghost” is a parody featuring a
dramatic spirit named Sir Simon and an American
ambassador named Mr. Hiram B. Otis. Mr. Otis
travels to England with his family and moves into
a haunted castle. Lord Canterville, the previous
owner of the castle, warns Mr. Otis that the
ghost of Sir Simon de Canterville has haunted the
castle ever since he killed his wife, Eleonore,
centuries ago. But Mr. Otis dismisses the ghost
story as bunk and disregards Lord Canterville’s
warnings. When the Otises learn that the castle
is indeed haunted, they succeed in victimizing the
ghost and in disregarding age-old British
traditions. What emerges is a satire of American
materialism and an amusing twist on the

5. The story takes place in an old English castle, Canterville Chase,
which has all the accoutrements of a traditional haunted castle.
Descriptions of the wainscoting, the library paneled in black oak, and
the armor in the hallway characterize the gothic setting and help
Wilde clash the Old World with the New. Typical of the style of the
English Decadents, the gothic atmosphere reveals the author’s
fascination with the macabre. Yet he mixes the macabre with comedy,
juxtaposing devices from traditional English ghost stories such as
creaking floorboards, clanking chains, and ancient prophecies with
symbols of modern America. Wilde’s gothic setting helps emphasize
the contrast between cultures—setting modern Americans in what
could arguably be a classic symbol of British history—and underscores
the impropriety of the castle’s mismatched residents, the Otises.

6. The Story at a
glancePrologue:
The Otis family come to Canterville Chase not heeding the
local stories about the house being haunted.
They encounter the antics of the ghost.
A bloodstain that keeps on appearing every day even after
removing it.
The family accepts the presence of the ghost.
The ghost plans to scare the family.
Lets see what happened then.

7. What happened then ?
The family tries to return to their normal life by going out for a drive.
That night, the ghost appears in Mr. Otis’ room with a lot of chains that
clanked.
Mr. Otis gets irritated and suggests the ghost to useTammany Rising Sun
Lubricator to make the chains smooth.
The ghost is taken aback and runs back , when out of nowhere the twins
appear and throw pillows at him.
The ghost retires to his chamber and ponders over his past glories of terrifying
the housemaids and driving the members of aristocracy to madness.

8. During the course of the story,
as narrated from Sir Simon's
viewpoint, we come to understand
the complexity of the ghost’s
emotions. We see him brave,
frightening, distressed, scared,
and finally, depressed and weak.
He exposes his vulnerability
during an encounter with Virginia,
Mr. Otis's fifteen-year-old
daughter. Virginia is different
from everyone else in the family.
He tells her that he has not slept
in three hundred years and wants
desperately to do so. The ghost
reveals to Virginia the tragic tale

9. Unlike the rest of her family, Virginia does not dismiss the
ghost. She takes him seriously; she listens to him.
Sir Simon de Canterville says that she must weep for him for he
has no tears, she must pray for him for he has no faith and
then she must accompany him to the angel of death and beg for
Death's mercy upon Sir Simon
She does weep for him and pray for him, and she disappears with
Sir Simon through the wainscoting and goes with him to the
Garden of Death and bids the ghost farewell.
Then she reappears at midnight, through a panel in the wall,
carrying jewels and news that Sir Simon has passed on to the
next world and no longer resides in the house
Sir Simon, she tells her husband several years later, helped
her understand “what Life is, what Death signifies, and why
Love is stronger than both.”

10. Character Study
Mr. Hiram B. Otis: American Minister. A
very pragmatic, rational and practical man.
He does not believe in existence of ghosts.
He is a true American who can purchase
anything money can buy.
Mrs. Otis: She is the wife of the
American minister. She is a middle aged
woman with fine eyes, and a superb
profile.

11. Washington Otis: He is the eldest son of
Mr. Otis. A fair – haired, rather good
looking young man . An excellent dancer.
Gardenias and the peerage were his
only weaknesses.
Virginia: Daughter of Mr. And Mrs. Otis. A
little girl of fifteen, elegant and lovely as a
fawn, and with a fine freedom in her
large blue eyes. She is tall with athletic
personality. She is not afraid of the ghost. At
the end, she is the only one who helps the

12. The Twins: Usually called “The Star
and the Stripes” , as they were always
getting swished. They were delightful
boys, and, with the exception of the
Minister, the only true Republicans in the
family.
The Canterville Ghost: He is the
‘fulcrum’ around whom the entire plot
hangs. He is the most interesting
character who goes about his ghostly

13. Lord Canterville: He is the owner of
Canterville Chase. He sells the
Canterville Chase to Mr. Otis. He is
an honorable man who considers it
his duty to mention the truth to Mr.
Otis that the house is haunted.
 Mrs. Umney: Old housekeeper of
the Canterville Chase who was
appointed by Mrs. Otis at Lady
Canterville’s earnest request. Mrs.
Umney is really scared of the ghost