The Canterville Ghost by Oscar Wilde
An American family, the Otises, purchase a haunted estate in England, Canterville Chase, despite warnings about its ghost, Sir Simon de Canterville. The family, particularly Mr. Otis, dismisses the ghost's existence, leading to humorous encounters. The ghost, once feared, finds himself insulted and frustrated by the family's indifference and modernity. The Otis family experiences strange occurrences, including a recurring bloodstain on the library floor, which Washington Otis, the eldest son, cleans repeatedly, only for it to reappear. The ghost attempts to frighten them but fails miserably, facing ridicule instead. His attempts to scare the family are met with practical solutions, such as Mr. Otis offering him lubricant for his chains and Mrs. Otis providing remedies for his ailments. As the ghost's efforts to reclaim his former terror fail, he becomes increasingly despondent. Virginia Otis, the youngest daughter, shows compassion towards him, sensing his loneliness and sorrow. The ghost reveals his tragic past, including the murder of his wife, Lady Eleanore, and his subsequent punishment of eternal haunting. He longs for peace and redemption, which he believes can only come through the innocence of a child. Virginia learns of a prophecy that states she must weep for the ghost's sins and pray for his soul. She agrees to help him, leading to a journey into the Garden of Death, where he can finally find rest. Virginia's act of compassion allows the ghost to be freed from his torment, and he gifts her a box of jewels before passing on. The Otis family, initially skeptical, comes to understand the ghost's plight through Virginia's experience. After the ghost's death, they hold a funeral, and Virginia receives the jewels as a token of gratitude. The story concludes with Virginia marrying the young Duke of Cheshire, reflecting on the lessons learned about love, life, and the importance of compassion. The ghost's legacy lives on through her, symbolizing the connection between the past and the present, and the enduring power of love and forgiveness.
By Oscar Wilde · First published 1887 · Genre: Fantasy, Comedy, Gothic · 7 chapters · 13,231 words
First lines
When Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, everyone told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis when they came to discuss terms.
What this Textopian page supports
The Canterville Ghost is listed on Textopian as a novel by Oscar Wilde, dated 1887 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Oscar Wilde
- Date: 1887 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fantasy, Comedy, Gothic, Social Commentary, Short Story
- Length: 13,231 words
- Structure: 7 chapters, 101 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Canterville Ghost by Oscar Wilde
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Canterville Ghost?
- How does this novel by Oscar Wilde fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fantasy first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Fantasy — The story features a ghost and supernatural elements, central to the plot.
- Comedy — The narrative employs humor and satire, particularly in the interactions between the ghost and the American family.
- Gothic — The presence of a ghost and the setting contribute to a Gothic atmosphere.
- Social Commentary — The story critiques cultural differences and societal norms, particularly between American and British characters.
Tags
Comedy · Satire · Parody · Gothic Fiction · Supernatural Fiction · Humor · Social Commentary · Class Satire · English Aristocracy · American Culture · Ghost Story · Haunted House