Overview -- The Canterville Ghost by Oscar Wilde
Wilde's Ghost Story and Parody of the Supernatural
One of the most popular and well-known of Wilde’s works, 'The Canterville Ghost' was first published in 1887 in Court and Society Review, a journal designed for the upper classes. In fact, throughout the story, Wilde plays with and parodies some of the conventional plotlines and characters of the supernatural genre.
Characters and Main Plot of 'The Canterville Ghost'
The story opens with an American foreign minister, Hiram B. Otis, moving to England and purchasing Canterville Chase from Lord Canterville, despite receiving warnings that the house is inhabited by a ghost. Otis’s family consists of Mrs. Otis; Washington, the eldest son; Virginia, a fifteen year old “amazon”; and twin boys.
The Haunted House: Simon de Canterville's Estate
Once the American family is settled into their new home, they become acquainted with the legend of Sir Simon de Canterville, who murdered his wife in 1575 and disappeared nine years afterward, and who still haunts his ancestral home. After spotting a recurring blood stain for several days, the Otis family realizes they are indeed living in a haunted house. However, instead of becoming horrified and afraid, they greet the discovery with pragmatism and great interest.
The Comedy of 'The Canterville Ghost'
Determined to prove his worth as a ghost, the ghost dresses up in heavy chains and appears before Mr. Otis. However, instead of being frightened, Mr. Otis calmly recommends that the ghost try oiling his chains and gives him a bottle of lubricator. As the ghost wanders back through the house, he is gravely insulted when the twins throw a pillow at him.
Further efforts, such as waving around a dagger and appearing as 'Reckless Rupert, or the Headless Earl,' are met with good humor and pranks from the twins. Weakened by his efforts, the ghost gives up trying to scare the family, and Virginia later discovers him in a state of deep depression.
Virginia's Resolution of the Ghost Story
Upon finding out that she alone can release the ghost into the Garden of Death and thereby grant him peace, Virginia resolves to help him and terrifies her family when she disappears for a day. At midnight, she returns to her family and tells them of the ghost’s death, then leads them to a room in which a 'gaunt skeleton' lay on the floor, futilely reaching for the nourishment that was placed just out of his reach.
She also reveals that the ghost has rewarded her goodness with a valuable casket of jewels. The story ends happily with Virginia’s marriage to the Duke of Cheshire and her revelation that the ghost 'made me see what Life is, and what Death signifies, and why Love is stronger than both.'
References:
Lutz, Kimberly. "Serious Comedy? Finding Meaning in 'The Canterville Ghost'." Gale Online Encyclopedia. Detroit: Gale, Literature Resource Center. Gale. UNIV OF FLORIDA. 9 Jan. 2008 <http://go.galegroup.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/ps/start.do?p=LitRC&u=gain40375>.
Wilde, Oscar. The Canterville Ghost and Other Stories. Mineola, New York: Dover, 2001.
Oscar Wilde
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