The Canterville Ghost
A humorous ghost story by Oscar Wilde.
"The Canterville Ghost" is a humorous short story by Oscar Wilde, first published in two parts in The Court and Society Review on 23 February and 2 March 1887. It was Wilde's first published story and later appeared in the collection "Lord Arthur Savile's Crime and Other Stories" in July 1891. The story follows the American Otis family, who move into Canterville Castle despite warnings that it is haunted, and their comedic interactions with the ghost of Sir Simon de Canterville.
- Author
- Oscar Wilde
- First published
- 23 February and 2 March 1887
- Genre
- Humorous short story
- Publication
- The Court and Society Review
- Collection
- Lord Arthur Savile's Crime and Other Stories (July 1891)
- Notable adaptations
- Stage and screen
Lore & Background
The ghost eventually finds sympathy from Virginia, the fifteen-year-old daughter, who listens to his tragic tale. He tells her he has not slept in three hundred years and longs for death. Virginia weeps for him, prays for him, and accompanies him through the wainscoting to the Garden of Death, where she bids him farewell. The story concludes with Virginia marrying the Duke of Cheshire after they come of age, and she later explains that the ghost helped her understand life, death, and love.
Reader's Guide
The story has received varied critical reception. In the 19th century, A. S. Harvey praised its humor and pathos, while William Sharp criticized its stereotyping of Americans. A critic in the Saturday Review noted inconsistency in tone and found the ending incongruous. In the 20th century, Philip K. Cohen interpreted the story as exploring the conflict between materialism and Christian idealism, and Lydia Reineck Wilburn examined its questions about audience. Mariano Baselga saw it as a satire of upper-class sensibilities. In the 21st century, Michèle Mendelssohn contrasted American pragmatism with English superstitions, and Nick Freeman noted Wilde's combination of parody with an affecting friendship. Jarlath Killeen viewed the Gothic elements as reduced to amateur theatrics, while Christopher S. Nassaar argued that Virginia's intervention spoils the fun of the earlier hijinks. Benjamin Morgan highlighted Wilde's satire of American commercialism.
Did You Know?
- The story was Oscar Wilde's first published short story, appearing in two parts in 1887.
- The ghost, Sir Simon de Canterville, killed his wife and was walled in and starved to death by her brothers.
- The Otis family uses Pinkerton's Champion Stain Remover and Paragon Detergent to remove the ghost's bloodstain.
- The story has been adapted for the stage and screen several times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who wrote 'The Canterville Ghost' and when was it first published?
Oscar Wilde authored the tale, and it debuted in two installments in The Court and Society Review on 23 February and 2 March 1887. It was his first published story and later appeared in his 1891 collection 'Lord Arthur Savile's Crime and Other Stories'.
What is the basic premise of 'The Canterville Ghost'?
The American Otis family moves into Canterville Castle and openly mocks the idea of a haunting. Their irreverent, practical approach to the resident specter drives the story's central comedy.
Who is the ghost and what role does he play?
The specter is Sir Simon de Canterville, the long-deceased lord of the estate. Rather than being a terrifying presence, he is written as a bumbling, somewhat pitiable figure whose scare tactics consistently fail against the unfazed Otises.
Is 'The Canterville Ghost' a TV show or a book?
It is a humorous short story, not a television series, though it has seen various stage and screen adaptations over the years. The original canon is Wilde's written text from 1887.
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