Wilde wrote the canterville ghost as a twist on the traditional ghost story, as a satire of american materialism, and as a way to parody english culture as well. After completing a short horror story, it was time for me to pick up another. The canterville ghost criticism oscar wilde this study guide consists of approximately 59 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of the canterville ghost. Per the below discusses oscar wildes inspiration for the picture of dorian gray the picture of. This is oscar wildes tale of the american family moved into a british mansion, canterville chase, much to the annoyance of its tired ghost. The canterville ghost is my favorite work by oscar wilde. His sole novel, the picture of dorian gray, though lambasted as.
The canterville ghost learn english online free exercises, explanations, games, teaching materials and plenty of information on english language. It is a ghost story, a comedy and a romance all rolled into one, told with the offbeat, rolling wit that only wilde can tell. The canterville ghost was the first of oscar wildes short stories to be. The story did not immediately receive much critical attention, and indeed wilde was not viewed as an important author until the publication, during the 1890s, of his novel the picture of dorian gray 1891 and of several wellreceived plays, including the. You are certainly very natural in america, answered lord canterville, who did not quite understand mr. It is a parody of a ghost story, with all the tropes. It was later included in a collection of short stories entitled lord arthur saviles crime and other stories.
Humor in the canterville ghost first serves to eliminate some of the dark and scary atmosphere that typically accompanies ghost stories. Oscar wilde was born in dublin in 1854, his father was a famous oculist, his mother was francesca elgee, he was protestant and in his public life he was famous for his behaviour and style. The canterville ghost and lord arthur saviles crime are among my favorite wilde s stories, but i enjoyed the whole collection very much. Oscar wilde writing styles in the canterville ghost. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the canterville ghost. Although the ghost story genre seeks to repulse readers, in satirizing it, the canterville ghost becomes one of wildes most endearing works. When a rich american called mr otis moves into the house with his wife and children, lord canterville feels he should warn them about sir simon, the resident ghost. The canterville ghost was the first of oscar wilde s short stories to be published. The canterville ghost study guide from litcharts the creators of. The canterville ghost is not a horror book as it said on the cover but it does have something to do with ghosts.
These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of the canterville ghost by oscar wilde. Im not familiar with oscar wilde s writing style and initially found it quite different. It takes place in an english country house, canterville chase, which for centuries has been said to be haunted. The most common technique is suspense, the slow insinuating of a doubt or of a frightening revelation, which keeps the. But americans dont frighten easily especially not two noisy little boys and the poor ghost has a.
Set in the 19th century, the canterville ghost spelt the differences between american and england cultures, while having a romantic interlude in between. The canterville ghost by oscar wilde crisis magazine. May 05, 2014 an amusing story in typical wilde style of an ancient english ghost confronting a stolid downtoearth american family who refuse to be frightened by his outlandish antics. The canterville ghost essays are academic essays for citation. Otiss last observation, and if you dont mind a ghost in the house, it is all right. Otis and his family americans bought a house in england, mr.
It was first published in 1887 during the victorian. Otis, the american minister, bought canterville chase, every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at all that the place was haunted. The canterville ghostoscar wildefree downloadpdf epub. Oscar fingal oflahertie wills wilde 16 october 1854 30 november 1900 was an irish poet and playwright. I often wondered why this book ranks among the top posts on my blog. Other short stories by oscar wilde also available along with many others by classic and contemporary authors. Oct 19, 2010 the canterville ghost is a ghost story with a difference.
Indeed, lord canterville himself, who was a man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention. How do i start a critical appreciation of the canterville. The clear and concise style makes for easy understanding, providing the perfect. Oscar wilde s the canterville ghost is a story that plays on the contrast between american and british behaviors and beliefs.
But there is no such thing, sir, as a ghost, and i guess the laws of nature are not going to be suspended for the british aristocracy. After writing in different forms throughout the 1880s, the early 1890s saw him become one of the most popular playwrights in london. Oscar wildes the canterville ghost is a story that plays on the contrast between american and british behaviors and beliefs. Otis and his wealthy family move in to the canterville house, despite the warnings from a friend saying it is haunted. This is oscar wildes tale of the american family moved in. The canterville ghost is written in a literary form called a novella and this is a narrative longer than a short story but shorter than a novel. Ghost stories belong to the genre called horror literature, whose purpose is to scare the reader with situations that cause horror or fear. Also, the canterville ghost is both a parody of the traditional ghost story and a satire of the american way of life. Full text of the canterville ghost internet archive. The story did not immediately receive much critical attention, and indeed wilde was not viewed as an important author until the publication, during the 1890s, of his novel the picture of dorian gray 1891 and of several wellreceived. The writing style in the picture of dorian gray oscar wilde was a writer that appreciated writing style more than the actual substance in literary pieces. It has the typical oscar wilde style writing, though i must say i preferred the books i had read before the importance of being earnest and an ideal husband. I read this book as i was catching up on gothic books id missed.
Well, it so happens that it fits quite nicely in the ghost story format. Canterville chase boasts the comic book attributes of a haunted house and would be immediately. In his only finished piece, the picture of dorian gray, wilde accomplished perfection. Technique of analysis data are the writer research language style is each of. The canterville ghost is described as a comicohorror story because it has elements which both amuse and scare the reader. Wilde wrote the canterville ghost as a twist on the traditional ghost story, as a satire of american materialism, and as. Full text of the canterville ghost see other formats the project gutenberg ebook, the canterville ghost, by oscar wilde, illustrated by wallace goldsmith this ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. This author was a controversial person i guess, but this book contains four small stories. The canterville ghost by oscar wilde free at loyal books. Oscar wilde s the canterville ghost is a parody that compares the comportment of the effete english aristocracy with the practical americans a critical appreciation of this humorous story. This is briefly glimpsed in the opening chapter of the story, but. The canterville ghost kindle edition by wilde, oscar. He had a successful career as a journalist and poet and consequently turned to fiction and drama.
Otis is happy to buy the house and the ghost because of course americans dont believe in ghosts. For example, the persistent bloodstain is treated with detergent briskly and without comment. When the story starts, the american minister, mr hiram b. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. It turns out that they study the canterville ghost in schools in india, so a lot of indian students visit my blog.
The canterville ghost literary elements gradesaver. Wildes last work, the ballad of reading gaol, was written shortly after his release from prison in 1897. Beginning with comedy, there are a number of humorous elements in the. Oscar wilde explores several stereotypes in the story. The canterville ghost has great plans to frighten the life out of the otis family. Wilde s last work, the ballad of reading gaol, was written shortly after his release from prison in 1897. The canterville ghost is a parody featuring a dramatic spirit named sir simon and the united states minister ambassador to the court of st. The canterville ghost study guide contains a biography of oscar wilde.
Otis, as an outspoken republican who rejects european ascendancy and believes in the power of the american dollar. I cant help but feel that some nonenglish speakers were trying to copy the text into a kindle format and hadnt a clue. The despondent ghost finally decides to return to the fields of the dead and is aided in this last venture by georgina otis, the lovely daughter of the american politician. However, in this story, the ghost is the one being haunted and driven mad. The bloodstain has been much admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed. As the book goes on i found i did get used to it though.
The story is about an american family who move to a castle haunted by the ghost of a dead nobleman, who killed his wife and was starved to death by his wifes brothers. Oscar is charming and his writing is funny and he tells a good story. The canterville ghost and other stories by oscar wilde. There is no such thing as a moral or an immoral book. Oscar fingal oflahertie wills wilde was a prolific irish writer who wrote plays, fiction, essays, and poetry. English grammar online the fun way to learn english. A concise biography of oscar wilde plus historical and literary. Oct 07, 2012 humor in the canterville ghost first serves to eliminate some of the dark and scary atmosphere that typically accompanies ghost stories. He is best remembered for his epigrams and plays, his novel the picture of dorian gray, and the circumstances of his criminal conviction for gross. Aug 27, 2017 it has the typical oscar wilde style writing, though i must say i preferred the books i had read before the importance of being earnest and an ideal husband.
In the canterville ghost, wilde draws upon fairy tales, gothic novels, and stories of. Oscar fingal oflahertie wills wilde was born on 16 october 1854, in dublin, ireland, the second of three children born to writer jane francesca agnes nee elgee 18211896 and surgeon sir william robert wills wilde 18151876. The canterville ghost by oscar wilde she reads novels. The pace rollicks with poise that is indicative of a writer who has complete control. An amusing story in typical wilde style of an ancient english ghost confronting a stolid downtoearth american family who refuse to be frightened by his outlandish antics. Oct 09, 2014 there is no such thing as a moral or an immoral book.
The story begins when mr otiss family shifted to canterville. The canterville ghost is a short story by oscar wilde. Otis travels to england with his family and moves into a haunted country house. The canterville ghost is a charming tale, one of oscar wildes best. An american family moves into a haunted mansion in england, but it is they who torment the ghost with their irrepressible irreverence, finally driving. Full online text of the canterville ghost by oscar wilde. Canterville chase boasts the comic book attributes of a haunted house and would be immediately recognized as such by its contemporary audience. The most common technique is suspense, the slow insinuating of a doubt or of a frightening revelation, which keeps the reader interested. The canterville ghost by oscar wilde book analysis e book. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
There is a haunted house, a blood stain, rattling chains, and secret rooms among other tropes. And since i am already impressed by oscar wilde s writings, why not a light humor induced ghost story is what i thought. He started his study in the trinity college and after that he went to magdalen college, in oxford. Explain how the canterville ghost is a comicohorror story. This is oscar wilde s tale of the american family moved into a british mansion, canterville chase, much to the annoyance of its tired ghost. This study guide consists of approximately 59 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of the canterville ghost. Wilde obviously intends to satirize american materialism, but he pokes fun at english traditional culture as well.
Wildes mother was a prominent poet and nationalist. Victorian gothic as resistance in the canterville ghost, to let, and canon alberics scrapbook. Im not familiar with oscar wildes writing style and initially found it quite different. More the kind of book youd study in an english literature class than something to read for fun. After writing in different forms throughout the 1880s, he became one of londons most popular playwrights in the early 1890s. The canterville ghost and lord arthur saviles crime are among my favorite wildes stories, but i enjoyed the whole collection very much.
The canterville ghost by oscar wilde is a short story about role reversal. Otis was warned by the owner of the house that there is the ghost of lord canterville for 300 years. Contrasts and the humor in the canterville ghost oscar. Oscar wildes the canterville ghost is a parody that compares the comportment of the effete english aristocracy with the practical americans a critical appreciation of this humorous story. The canterville ghost is a popular 1887 novella by oscar wilde, widely adapted for the screen and stage. The canterville ghost is a ghost story with a difference. It appeared in a magazine in 1887 and provides a prophetic glimpse into wilde s genius for comic timing, dialogue and situational comedy. Hyde recorded in the annotated oscar wilde that yeats called it a great or almost great poem, but the fact that he chose only thirtyeight of the poems 109 stanzas for publication in the oxford book of modern verse suggests his awareness. Its a general notion that people are scared of ghosts. The story is about an american family who move to a castle haunted by the ghost of a dead nobleman, who killed his wife and was starved to death by his wife. A graphic novel version published by classical comics in 2010 adapted by scottish writer sean michael wilson, with art by steve bryant and jason millet. The best study guide to the canterville ghost on the planet, from the creators of sparknotes. He shows his skillful ability to poignantly use figures of. The canterville ghost summary the canterville ghost is a short story by oscar wilde in which a girl befriends the ghost haunting canterville chase and helps him cross over into the afterlife.