The Canterville Ghost (Wilde)
Short Summary
England, late 19th century. When American Minister Hiram Otis purchased Canterville Chase, Lord Canterville warned him about the resident ghost who had haunted the mansion since 1584. The practical American dismissed these concerns and moved in with his family.
The ghost's attempts to frighten the Otis family failed miserably. They treated his manifestations with practical solutions, removing his signature blood stain with cleaning products and offering him oil for his clanking chains. The family's twins tormented him with pranks, leaving him humiliated and depressed.
Virginia found the ghost in a depressed state and showed him compassion. He confided in her that he could not rest until someone wept for his sins and prayed for his soul. When discussing death with Virginia, he expressed:
Death must be so beautiful. To lie in the soft brown earth, with the grasses waving above one's head, and listen to silence. To have no yesterday, and no to-morrow. To forget time, to forget life, to be at peace
Virginia agreed to help him find peace. She disappeared with the ghost and returned at midnight with a box of jewels he had given her. She led her family to a hidden chamber where they found Sir Simon's skeleton. After his proper burial, Virginia married her sweetheart, the Duke of Cheshire, but never revealed what exactly transpired during her time with the ghost.
Detailed Chapter-by-Chapter Summary
Chapter titles are editorial additions.
Chapter 1. The Purchase of Canterville Chase
When the American Minister purchased Canterville Chase, everyone warned him that the property was haunted. Lord Canterville himself felt obligated to mention this fact during the sale negotiations, relating how his grandaunt had been frightened by two skeleton hands on her shoulders and how the ghost had been seen by many family members.
My Lord, I will take the furniture and the ghost at a valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red
The Otis family moved into Canterville Chase at the end of the season. Mrs. Otis, formerly a celebrated New York belle, remained remarkably healthy despite the European fashion of chronic illness.
Their eldest son Washington was a fair-haired young man who enjoyed leading dances, while their daughter Virginia was a lovely fifteen-year-old girl who had once raced Lord Bilton around the park. The youngest were twins, nicknamed 'Stars and Stripes' for their frequent punishments.
Chapter 2. The Blood Stain and First Ghostly Encounter
Upon arriving at Canterville Chase, Mrs. Otis noticed a red stain on the library floor. When the housekeeper explained it was Lady Eleanore de Canterville's blood, who had been murdered there by her husband Sir Simon in 1575, Mrs. Otis insisted it be cleaned immediately.
The blood-stain has been much admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed... That is all nonsense, cried Washington Otis; Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover will clean it up in no time
That night, Mr. Otis was awakened by clanking sounds. He encountered the Canterville Ghost in the corridor, offered him some lubricating oil for his chains, and returned to bed. The ghost was indignant at this modern American's lack of fear.
Chapter 3. Failed Haunting Attempts
The ghost made several attempts to frighten the family. The blood stain reappeared each morning in different colors, but Washington simply cleaned it again. When the ghost tried to wear armor, he fell and hurt himself. The twins shot pellets at him and set traps in the corridors.
Never having seen a ghost before, he naturally was terribly frightened, and, after a second hasty glance at the awful phantom, he fled back to his room, tripping up in his long winding-sheet
When the ghost attempted his famous Vampire Monk performance, Mrs. Otis offered him medicine for indigestion. His final humiliation came when the twins created a fake ghost to frighten him. Deeply offended and exhausted, the ghost retreated to his secret chamber.
Chapter 4. Virginia's Encounter with the Ghost
One afternoon, Virginia discovered the ghost sitting alone in the Tapestry Chamber, looking dejected. Instead of running away, she felt pity for him. The ghost confessed that he hadn't slept in three hundred years and was weary of his existence.
Poor, poor Ghost, she murmured; have you no place where you can sleep? Far away beyond the pine-woods, there is a little garden. There the grass grows long and deep, there are the great white stars
The ghost showed Virginia an old prophecy on the library window that spoke of a golden-haired maiden who could bring peace to Canterville Chase. He asked for her help to find eternal rest, warning her that she would face frightening visions but wouldn't be harmed. Virginia bravely agreed to help him.
When a golden girl can win Prayer from out the lips of sin, When the barren almond bears, And a little child gives away its tears, Then shall all the house be still And peace come to Canterville
Chapter 5. Virginia's Disappearance
When Virginia didn't appear for tea, the family became worried. Mr. Otis and the Duke of Cheshire, who was in love with Virginia, searched the countryside. They questioned gypsies, checked ponds, and telegraphed police inspectors, but found no trace of her.
At midnight, Virginia suddenly appeared at the top of the stairs, pale but unharmed. She carried a small jewel casket and announced that the ghost had passed on. She led her family to a hidden chamber where they found the skeleton of Sir Simon chained to the wall. Virginia explained that she had prayed with him and wept for him, helping his soul find peace.
Chapter 6. The Ghost's Funeral
Four days later, Sir Simon was given a proper funeral. The procession included eight black horses with ostrich plumes, and the coffin was covered with a purple pall embroidered with the Canterville coat-of-arms. Lord Canterville came from Wales to attend as chief mourner. Virginia placed a cross of almond blossoms on the coffin as it was lowered into the grave.
Chapter 7. Virginia's Marriage and the Ghost's Legacy
Mr. Otis tried to return the jewels the ghost had given Virginia, believing they should remain with the Canterville family. However, Lord Canterville insisted that Virginia keep them as a reward for her service to his ancestor. He pointed out that they had bought the ghost along with the house, so anything belonging to him was rightfully theirs.
In the spring of 1890, Virginia married the Duke of Cheshire. After their honeymoon, they visited Sir Simon's grave. The Duke asked Virginia about what had happened during her time with the ghost, but she kept that secret. She only shared that Sir Simon had taught her important lessons about life, death, and love.
He made me see what Life is, and what Death signifies, and why Love is stronger than both... You can have your secret as long as I have your heart