Prepared by,

Gaurav Agrawal

Class :- 11 C

Roll:- 11113 Submitted to,

Vibek Neupane

English Teacher
About the Author

Oscar Wilde was born on 16th October, 1854 in Ireland. He was an Irish writer and
poet. After writing in different forms through the 1880s, he became one of Londons most
popular playwrights in the early 1890s. He is widely remembered for his witty comments, his
epigrams and his brilliant plays.

Wildes parents were successful Dublin intellectuals. Their son became fluent in French and
German early in life. At university, Wilde read Greats and he proved himself to be an
outstanding classicist, first in Dublin and then at Oxford. He became known for his
involvements in the rising philosophy of aestheticism. In this he was influenced by two of his
tutors, Walter Pater and John Ruskin. After university, Wilde moved to London into
fashionable, cultural and social circles. As a spokesman for aestheticism, he tried his hand at
various literary activities. He published a book of poems and lectured in the United States of
America and Canada on the new English Renaissance in Art. Then he returned to London
and worked as a journalist. He was known for his biting wit, flamboyant dress and glittering
conversation.

At the height of his fame and success, he produced his masterpiece The Importance of Being
Earnest (1895). But at that very time he suffered a downfall in a sensational series of trials.
He was imprisoned for two years hard labour, having been convicted of gross indecency.
Upon his release he left immediately for France, never to return to Ireland or Britain. He died
destitute in Paris at the age of forty six.

Authors major literary contribution

Oscar Wilde has contributed a lot in literary discipline. Some of his major contributions are:-

1. Essays
a. The Decay Of Lying
b. Pen Pencil And Poison
c. The Soul Of Man Under Socialism
2. Novel
a. The Picture Of Dorian Gray
3. Stories
a. The Happy Prince
b. The Selfish Giant
c. The Devoted Friend
4. Poems
a. Ravenna
b. The Sphinx
c. Poems In Prose
Summary of the novella

The Canterville Ghost is a short novella written by Oscar Wilde. The novella is a wholesome
total of tragedy, humour and fun. The story takes place in an old English country house,
Canterville Chase, which has all the characteristics of a haunted house. The writer creates
gothic setting by describing the wainscoting, the library, panelled in black oak and the
armour in the hallway. Wilde strikes a contrast between the old world and the new.

The story has a frightening figure, Canterville Ghost, and the Otis family. Everytime there is
an incidence of Otises and Ghost, there are lots of joy. Star and Stripes, The twins,
particularly mock the ghost every time the ghost appears or makes some plan.

The ghost tries to scare the American family who are not afraid to him through their modern
concepts but fails every time and gets mocked at. He is given medicines, lubricant for his
chains, he is thrown pillow at, shot with peashooters, frightened with a bogus ghost as well
as poured water upon. However Virginia has a kind nature that makes her show pity upon
the ghost and help ghost die crying for her. She is rewarded with precious jewels for her
kindness by ghost.

Critical analysis:-

Plot and Theme:-

The story The Canterville Chase takes place in an old English Country house named
Canterville Chase. The villa has all the elements of a haunted house. It is a huge building
with large halls and room, long corridor, large oriole windows, a cellar, so on and so forth.
The English family of lord Canterville once lived here. It abandoned the house when lords
great-aunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton passed away due to a fit caused by her seeing
two skeleton hands on her shoulders. The ghost that lives in the house has been seen by
several members of the Lords family. It has even been seen by the rector of the parish.
When the Duchess died of shock, all the young servants of the family left. Lady Canterville
herself could not sleep well because of strange noises she would hear coming from the
corridor and the library.

Lord Canterville tells all these things to Mr Otis, the American Minister, who wants to buy
the villa and live there with his family. He wants to be honest and truthful. The reaction of
Mr Otis and his family is positive. They want to buy the house with or without the ghost in it.
Characters:-

The Ghost:-

The ghost of Sir Simon De Canterville is the central figure in the novel. He is a frightening
figure. He tries to frighten Mr Otis and his family thrice but fails all the time. He is a moody,
weary and helpless ghost who has been able to do some mischief but fails to do any harm to
American family. Thus, he becomes helpless and pitiable.

Mr Otis:-

Mr Otis, the American minister, does not believe in the existence of ghosts. He is totally
materialistic, rational and ruthless in attitude. He believes that money can buy anything even
a ghost. He is very affectionate and loving father. When Virginia disappears he does his best
to find her. He does not believe in the existence of ghosts. He is totally materialistic, rational
and ruthless in attitude. He believes that money can buy anything even a ghost. He is very
affectionate and loving father. When Virginia disappears he does his best to find her.

Mrs Otis

Mrs Otis is the wife of Mr Otis. Before her marriage she was Miss Lucretia R. Tappan and had
been a celebrated New York belle. She is lively and has a magnificent constitution. She is not
afraid of ghost and is decisive. She is an affectionate mother and when Virginia could not be
traced, she was in great depression.

Virginia

Virginia is a young daughter of the American Minister. She is gentle, noble and tender. She is
an expert rider. She once races old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park. The young
Duke of Cheshire is delighted to see this and proposes to her on the spot. She loves the young
Duke whom she marries later. Unlike other members of the family she remains aloof from
her familys anti-ghost campaign and doesnt scoff at the ghost. She takes pity on the ghost
in his deep depression. She shows courage in accompanying the ghost and takes a calculated
risk in helping the ghost get peaceful death.

Washington Otis

Washington Otis is the oldest son of Mr Otis. He is a fair coloured rather good looking young
man who has qualified himself for American diplomacy. In London, he is known as excellent
dancer. He is not afraid of ghost and is very sensible person. He is affectionate and caring
brother.

The Twins

The Twins are lovely and delightful boys of Mr Otis. They are usually called the stars and
stripes. They are not afraid of the ghost rather they make fun of him. They love their sister
Virginia too much. When she disappears, they feel very sad. After sometimes when Virginia
comes back, they dance with joy.
Conclusion:-

The Canterville Ghost is a fantastic short novel written by Oscar Wilde that is a proper
mixture of humour and tragedy with a frightening figure. The story takes place in an old
English country house, Canterville Chase, which has all the characteristics of a haunted
house. The writer creates gothic setting by describing the wainscoting, the library, panelled
in black oak and the armour in the hallway. Wilde strikes a contrast between the old world
and the new.

The novella particularly brings out fun to the readers through the tiny twins and the
frightening figure the ghost. There is always a fun in every encounter of Otises and the
ghost. Along with this the story also talks about life and death and love being greater than
both of them. Also it contrasts with the modern and ancient viewpoints making a vast
difference in what they observe and how. We can know this through the thoughts of Mr Otis
and Lord Canterville.

Summing up the story is designed to provide lots of joy to all the readers and so knowledge
about life as well as a moral lesson of being affectionate to our dear ones.