# VII explained — Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime and Other Stories

> Chapter companion for Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime and Other Stories by Oscar Wilde.

## What happens

The funeral of Sir Simon, the Canterville Ghost, takes place at night with a grand procession. Virginia lays a cross of almond-blossoms on his coffin. Afterwards, Mr. Otis tries to return the ghost's jewels to Lord Canterville, but Lord Canterville insists they belong to Virginia. Years later, Virginia marries the Duke of Cheshire, and they visit the grave. The Duke asks Virginia to reveal what happened with the ghost, but she keeps it secret, saying the ghost taught her about life, death, and love.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Sacrifice

Virginia's love for the ghost leads her to lay a cross on his grave, and her love for the Duke is central to the chapter's resolution.

### Social Class and Wealth

The debate over the jewels and Virginia's marriage highlight tensions between American republican simplicity and British aristocratic values.

### The Supernatural and the Rational

The ghost's funeral and Virginia's secret knowledge of life and death blend supernatural elements with rational acceptance.

## Character check-ins

### Virginia E. Otis

Lays almond-blossom cross on the ghost's coffin, retains the jewels, marries the Duke of Cheshire, and keeps her secret about the ghost.

### Lord Canterville

Chief mourner at the funeral, insists Virginia keep the jewels, and later attends her wedding.

### Mr. Hiram B. Otis

Attends the funeral, tries to return the jewels to Lord Canterville, and initially objects to Virginia's marriage on republican principles.

### Mrs. Otis

Attends the funeral and is noted as an authority on art.

### Washington Otis

Attends the funeral in the carriage with the family.

### Mrs. Umney

Rides in the last carriage of the funeral procession, having been frightened by the ghost for over fifty years.

### The Duke of Cheshire

Marries Virginia, asks her about her encounter with the ghost, and accepts her secret.

## Key lines

> She thought of the ghost’s description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she hardly spoke a word during the drive home.

Virginia recalled the ghost's talk of the afterlife, grew tearful, and remained silent on the way back.

_Reflects Virginia's emotional connection to the ghost and her understanding of death._

> He made me see what Life is, and what Death signifies, and why Love is stronger than both.

The ghost taught me the true meanings of life, death, and the supremacy of love.

_Virginia's explanation of her secret encounter with the ghost, encapsulating the story's central themes._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lord_arthur_savile_s_crime_and_other_stories_se/chapters/vii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lord_arthur_savile_s_crime_and_other_stories_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lord_arthur_savile_s_crime_and_other_stories_se/chapters