Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime and Other Stories · Chapter
The Canterville Ghost explained
The Otis family moves into Canterville Chase, despite warnings that the house is haunted.
What happens
The Otis family moves into Canterville Chase, despite warnings that the house is haunted. They encounter the ghost of Sir Simon de Canterville, who attempts to frighten them but is met with mockery and practical jokes. The ghost becomes increasingly frustrated and humiliated by the family's lack of fear.
Themes in this chapter
Appearance vs. Reality
The ghost's terrifying appearance is undercut by the family's refusal to be frightened, revealing the power of perception and skepticism.
Irony and Absurdity
The ghost's attempts at haunting are met with practical remedies like stain remover and lubricant, creating a comedic inversion of Gothic horror.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Hiram B. Otis
The American minister who purchases Canterville Chase and refuses to believe in ghosts.
- Mrs. Otis
Mr. Otis's wife, who offers the ghost a bottle of Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator for his chains.
- Washington Otis
The eldest Otis son, who removes the bloodstain with Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover.
- Virginia E. Otis
The young Otis daughter, who later plays a key role in the ghost's redemption.
- The Canterville Ghost
Sir Simon de Canterville, the ghost who has haunted the house for centuries but is outwitted by the Otis family.
Key passages
“The Canterville Ghost A Hylo-Idealistic Romance”
The story is subtitled as a blend of materialism and idealism, suggesting a playful philosophical take on the ghost story.
The subtitle sets the tone for the story's ironic treatment of supernatural themes.