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Character AnalysisiClassics - Canterville

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CH. 1 / THE CANTERVILLE GHOST by Oscar Wilde

Full name: Physical description: Personality description: Fun fact:

Fill out the family tree below about each of the members of the Otis family. Include their full name, their physical description, a description of their personality, and at least one fun or interesting fact about them.





Character Analysis

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iClassics - CantervilleCH. 4 / THE CANTERVILLE GHOST by Oscar Wilde

Fill out the profile below about the Canterville Ghost. Include as many of his aliases (the characters he assumes for his haunting) as possible. Then write a paragraph about how he sees himself, what his actions in the past tell us about him, and what his interactions with the Otis family tell us about him. Use examples from the story to back up each of your points.

What his interactions with the Otis family tell us about him:

How he sees himself:

What his actions in the past tell us about him:

Aliases:

THE CANTERVILLE GHOST

Character Analysis

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iClassics - Canterville

1

Character Name

2

Key Actions in the Story

3

How their actions change the story

Choose 3 different characters from the story and fill out the information below about them about the most important things they do in the story and what these actions say about them.


What their actions say about them

Matching exercise

Match each phrase from the story with an image.

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4

5

D

E

C3

2 B

A1

She was a wonderful Amazon, and had once raced old Lord Bilton

on her pony twice round the park

They were delightful boys, and, with the exception

of the worthy Minister, the only true

republicans of the family.

Gardenias and the peerage were

his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was

extremely sensible.

She had a magnificent constitution, and a really

wonderful amount of animal spirits.

Everyone told him he was doing a very

foolish thing, as there was no doubt at all that the place was

haunted.


Matching exercise


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C

B

A

3

2

1

Just, however, as he reached the top

of the great oak staircase, a door was flung open, two little white-robed figures appeared, and a large pillow whizzed

past his head!

“My dear sir,” said Mr. Otis, “I really

must insist on your oiling those chains, and have

brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising

Sun Lubricator.”

Right in front of him he saw, in the wan

moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect.

Matching exercise


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C

B

A

3

2

1

From the eyes streamed rays of scarlet

light, the mouth was a wide well of fire, and

a hideous garment, like to his own, swathed with

its silent snows the Titan form.

He chuckled to himself, and turned

the corner; but no sooner had he done so than, with a

piteous wail of terror, he fell back, and his blanched face

in his long, bony hands.

He contented himself with becoming

faintly phosphorescent, and vanished with a deep churchyard groan, just as the twins had come up to

him.

Matching exercise


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C

B

A

3

2

1

Accordingly, he made arrangements for

appearing to Virginia’s little lover in his celebrated

impersonation of <<the Vampire Monk,

or the Bloodless Benedictine>>

Suddenly there leaped out at him from

a dark corner two figures, who waved their arms

wildly above their heads, and shrieked out “BOO!” in his ear.

He flung it wide open, when a heavy jug of water fell

right down on him, wetting him to the skin, and just

missing his left shoulder by a couple

of inches.

Matching exercise


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A

B

C

D4

3

2

1

She opened her eyes, and saw the wall slowly fading away like a mist,

and a great black cavern in front of her. A bitter cold wind swept around them,

and she felt something pulling at her dress.

Then the ghost spoke again, and his voice

sounded like the sighing of the wind. “Have you read the prophecy on the library window?”

“Well, really,” said the Ghost, rather meekly,

“what was I to do? It is a very difficult

thing to get real blood nowadays”

To her immense surprise, however,

it was the Canterville Ghost himself!


Matching exercise


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D

C

B

A

4

3

2

1

When Virginia touched it, it swung

back on its heavy hinges, and they found themselves in a little low room, with a

vaulted ceiling, and one tiny grated window

A panel at the top of the staircase flew back

with a loud noise, and out on the landing, looking

very pale and white, with a little casket

in her hand, stepped Virginia.

Just as they were passing out of the

dining-room, midnight began to boom from the

clock tower, and when the last stroke sounded they

heard a crash and a sudden shrill cry.

After riding all over the common, they turned

their horses’ heads homewards, and reached the Chase about eleven o’clock, dead-tired and almost heart-broken.


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D

C

B

A

4

3

2

1

“You can have your secret as long as I

have your heart,” he murmured.

There had been a great deal of difficulty at

first about the inscription on Sir Simon’s tombstone, but

finally it had been decided to engrave on it the initials of the old gentleman’s name,

and the verse from the library window.

They were perfectly magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian

setting, which was really a superb specimen of sixteenth-century

work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis felt considerable

scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them

As the coffin was being lowered into the grave,

Virginia stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross

made of white and pink almond-blossoms.


Glossary

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CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

Punctilious (adj) showing great attention to detail or correct behaviourDowager (n) a widow with a title or property from her late husbandPrima-donna (n) the chief female singer in an operaGardenias (n) a tree or shrub with large white or yellow flowersPeerage (n) a noble title and rank Amazon (n) a member of a legendary race of female warriors Waggonette (n) a horse-drawn vehicle Knoll (n) a small hill or moundQuaint (adj) attractively unusual or old-fashionedCheroot (n) a cigar with both ends open

Dogmatic (adj) tendency to think of certain things as undeniably trueSanguineous (adj) resembling bloodPhantasmata (n) illusions, apparitions, or ghostsHominy (n) coarsely ground cornAspect (n) appearance or qualityGyves (n) shacklesEfficacious (adj) successful; effectiveEminent (adj) famous and respectedWainscoting (n) wooden panelling on the lower part of a room’s wallsFurore (n) overexcited emotion or anger

Vermilion (n) a brilliant red colourThe Virgin Queen (person)Casque (n) a helmetCharnel-house (n) a place where corpses or bones are piled; a place associated with violent deathGaiety (n) the state of being light-hearted or cheerfulSallied (v) to suddenly start into activityOriel (n) a large upper-storey bay with a windowAzure (n) a bright blue colourFalchion (n) a broad, slightly curved swordJack-boots (n) large leather military bootsDimity (n) a cotton fabricChanticleer (n) a name for a cockerel, used particularly in fairy talesPerdition (n) a state of eternal punishment and ruin

PART 1 / THE CANTERVILLE GHOST by Oscar Wilde

Glossary

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CHAPTER 4 CHAPTER 5

Astral (adj) relating to the starsArquebuse (n) a type of portable gunSexton (n) someone who looks after a church and churchyardFlues (n) a duct for smoke and waste gasesClambake (n) a social gathering outdoorsEuchre (n) a North American card gameGuinea (n) a coin equal to 21 shillingsEn secondes noces (phrase) as a second wifeApoplexy (n) unconsciousness or incapacity from a cerebral haemorrhage or strokeApothecary (n) a person who prepared and sold medicines

Habit (n) a woman’s riding dressPetulantly (adv) childishly sulkily Puritan (n) a member of a group of English Protestants in the 16th and 17th centuriesRuffs (n) a starched frill worn around the neckPricket (n) a male deer in its second year with straight hornsFurbish (v) give a fresh look toHemlock (n) a poisonous European plant with small white flowers

Glossary

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CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

Scapegrace (n) a mischievous personCasket (n) a small ornamental boxVaulted (adj) with an arched roof Trencher (n) a wooden plate for foodEwer (n) a large jug

Hearse (n) a vehicle for conveying a coffinPall (n) a cloth spread over a coffinMortmain (n) the status of lands or tenements Appurtenances (n) an accessory or other item associated with a particular lifestyleMediævalism (n) variant on medievalism

Quiz

Please choose the best option for each of the following questions:

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1. What is the name of the American Minister who bought Canterville Chase?a. Moses R. Croftb. Hiram B. Otisc. Sydney P. Shermand. Dudley M. Stokecroft

2. What happens when you tap the photograph of the house? *a. You zoom in to the full-colour reality behind the photographb. You can move it around and twist itc. A mysterious silvery presence seeps out of the windowsd. It goes up in flames

3. What frightened the Dowager Duchess of Bolton into a fit?a. A voice whispering her name as she sleptb. The ghost of a pale girl floating down the corridorc. The baying of some unknown creature in the nightd. Two skeleton hands on her shoulders

4. What does the American Minister say about ghosts in Europe?a. That if they existed, America would have them in museums soonb. That he looked forward to meeting onec. That his modern way of thinking would prevent him from witnessing themd. That he wasn’t scared of silly little things like ghosts

5. What was Mrs Otis’ maiden name?a. Miss Sandy J. Thomson b. Miss Adelaide R. Frank c. Miss Lucretia R. Tappand. Miss Isabelle F. Potts

6. What does Washington do when you tap him? *a. Pulls out a bunch of white and yellow Gardenia flowersb. Takes a deep bowc. Starts dancing d. Pulls out a book of peers and peeresses

7. By how much did Miss Virginia E. Otis beat Lord Bilton in the pony race?a. A length and a halfb. Two and a half lengthsc. A fraction of a whiskerd. An entire lap

8. What colours can you draw on the painting behind the twins in? *a. Blue, yellow and brownb. Green, orange and redc. Purple, black and silverd. Red, white and blue

9. What is the nearest railway station to Canterville Chase?a. Oxfordb. Canterburyc. Peterboroughd. Ascot

10. What does Washington use to remove the blood-stain by the fireplace?a. Mr Muscleb. Super-powered all-American bleach barc. Pinkerton’s Champion Stain Removerd. Addison’s High-Powered Cleaning Fluid

11. What does Mr Otis suggest they do about Mrs Umney’s fainting?a. Give her a week of sick leaveb. Be extra nice to herc. Charge her money for fainting d. Fire her immediately


*For these questions, refer to the App: “Canterville”

Quiz


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1. What do the Otis family find when they come down to breakfast on their first morning at Canterville Chase?a. Mrs Umney has been murderedb. The blood stain has returnedc. The chairs have all been overturnedd. Virginia has died

2. What topics does the narrator suggest might form the ordinary conversation of cultured Americans of the better class? Select all that apply.a. The difficulty of finding hominy in Englandb. Henry the VIII’s wivesc. The advantages of the baggage-check systemd. The sweetness of the New York Accente. The obesity epidemic f. The existence of ghosts and other supernatural beings

3. How does Mr Otis feel when he is woken by the sound of clanking metal?a. Calmb. Feverishc. Terrifiedd. Angry

4. Which descriptions below match the old man Mr Otis sees when he opens his bedroom door? Select all that apply.a. Long grey hairb. Long, matted beardc. Soiled and ragged clothesd. One hand missinge. Carrying a heavy knifef. Red eyesg. Wearing manacles and gyves

5. What does Mr Otis do when he sees the ghost?a. Screams and runs back into his bedroom, slamming the doorb. Faintsc. Gives him some lubrication for his chainsd. Stands completely still waiting for the ghost to do something

6. How does the ghost escape when a pillow is thrown at him?a. He flies through the windowb. He runs out the back doorc. He uses the Fourth dimension of Spaced. He murders the twins

7. What is sitting in the armchair behind the text about the ghost reaching a small secret chamber in the left wing? *a. The ghost, reading a diaryb. Mr Otis, smoking a pipec. The dead body of Sir William Gulld. Washington

8. Which of the people below does the ghost recall scaring in his 300 year career? Select all that apply.a. The Dowager Duchessb. Sir Henry Hargreavesc. Sir William Gulld. Lady Ainsley of Canterbury e. Madame de Tremouillac f. Monsieur de Voltaire

9. How did Lady Stutfield die?a. She died of frightb. She was strangled by her loverc. She was crushed by a horse and cart as she ran suddenly out of the house in hystericsd. She drowned herself in a carp-pond

10. What does the ghost decide to do about the Otis family?a. Leave the house and never returnb. Befriend themc. Visit the council of ghosts for adviced. Have his vengeance upon them



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1. What different colours has the blood stain in the library been? Select all that apply.a. Dull redb. Bright orangec. Sky blued. Vermilione. Rich purplef. Deep blackg. Emerald-green

2. Which member of the family is distressed by the sight of the blood stain?a. Virginiab. Washingtonc. The twinsd. Mrs Otis

3. What can you see behind the coat of armour, when you press it? *a. The Otis family looking confusedb. Virginia, screamingc. The Canterville ghost sitting in a chaird. A black cat

4. What does Mr Otis do when he sees the Canterville ghost?a. Takes the twins pellet guns away from themb. Points his gun at himc. Asks if he has oiled his chains yetd. Turns and runs away

5. What does Mrs Otis do when the Canterville ghost laughs his most terrible laugh?a. Screams and jumps out of the nearest windowb. Bursts into tears and collapses on the floorc. Breaks into a fit of uncontrollable laughter herselfd. Offers him a bottle of tincture

6. What annoyed the ghost the most about his latest encounter with the Otis family?a. The twins shooting pellets at himb. Mrs Otis gross materialismc. The fact that he hadn’t been able to wear the suit of armourd. The fact that Mr Otis aimed his gun at him

7. Why does the Canterville ghost bear Washington a special grudge?a. Because he is the first born of the familyb. Because he keeps removing the blood stainc. Because he is jealous of how tall and dashing Washington isd. Because he thinks he has a stupid name

8. What character does the ghost intend to assume after sitting on the twin’s chests and standing between them as a corpse?a. Dumb Danielb. Martin the Maniacc. Oliver of the Occultd. Horrible Henry



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9. What time does the ghost set off to execute his plan?a. Half past tenb. Midnightc. 1 o’clock in the morningd. 2 o’clock in the morning

10. Where are the coat of arms of the Canterville ghost, and those of his wife, blazoned on the wall?a. By the doors to the grand ballroomb. By the great oriel windowc. By the marble staircased. Above the great fireplace

11. Why is the Canterville ghost so scared of the figure?a. It reminds him of his fatherb. It seems to come from the pits of hell themselvesc. He has never seen a ghost befored. He hates it when others wear the same outfit as him

12. What flies past the house’s turrets when the sun rises? *a. The Canterville ghostb. The new ghostc. A black birdd. A butterfly

13. When does the Canterville ghost swear (according to the picturesque phraseology of the antique school) that deeds of blood will be wrought?a. At midnight that nightb. After the cock crows twicec. Immediatelyd. After a man blows his trumpet


Quiz


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1. Why doesn’t the ghost stop traversing the corridor once a week and gibbering from the oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays of the month?a. He is determined to terrify the Otis family once and for all, despite his fatigueb. He is too conscientious about his supernatural obligations c. He needs to make sure he is getting enough exercised. He is a creature of habit

2. How does the ghost avoid being detected while traversing the corridors? Select all that apply.a. Oiling his chains with Rising Sun Lubricatorb. Used the powers of the fourth dimension to remain invisiblec. Wore a black velvet cloakd. Shrank to a tenth of his usual sizee. Wore a cloak of misdirection f. Removed his boots

3. What is the final insult that enrages the ghost into attempting to scare the twins?a. He trips over a wireb. A bucket of cold dirty water falls on his head from a doorwayc. The twins shoot at him again with their pellet gunsd. He falls on a butter-slide

4. What does the ghost, in the guise of Reckless Rupert, do when you tap him? *a. Cackles evillyb. Pulls out a rusty knifec. Removes his headd. Glows a phosphorescent green

5. How does Lady Barbara die? a. Of a broken heartb. Of terrorc. She falls into a welld. Her new husband murders her in a jealous rage

6. How long does it take the ghost to assume the guise of Reckless Rupert?a. Three hoursb. Ten minutesc. One hour in the supernatural realm, so 17 minutes in the material worldd. 45 minutes


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7. What is the name of the twin’s bedroom?a. The Silver Sleeping Suiteb. The Blue Bed Chamberc. The Red Dormitory d. The Cerulean Chamber

8. On what date does the ghost receive the final blow from the Otis family?a. 31st Octoberb. 3rd Octoberc. 19th of Septemberd. 1st November

9. What does Canterville find at the bottom of the staircase when he flees from the two figures shouting “BOO!”a. Mrs Otis standing with hands on hipsb. Mr Otis waiting with a fire pokerc. Virginia Otis smiling sweetly at him d. Washington Otis waiting with a garden-syringe

10. What has Mr Otis writing a great work of history on for years?a. The Democratic Partyb. The Republican Partyc. The American continentd. The modern world

11. What did Lord Francis Stilton bet a hundred guineas on?a. That he would rid the house of the Canterville ghostb. That he would beat the Canterville ghost at chessc. That the Canterville ghost did not existd. That he would play dice with the Canterville ghost

12. What did Lady Startup do after seeing the ghost’s performance of the Vampire Monk? Select all that apply.a. Experienced a violet apoplexyb. Disinherited the Cantervillesc. Checked herself into an asylumd.Spent the rest of her days clawing wildly at her throate. Left all her money to her apothecary f. Burnt all her possessions in a great fire


Quiz


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1. Why does Virginia decide to go up the back staircase when returning from riding on Brockley meadows?a. Because she had torn her clothes b. Because she wasn’t on speaking terms with her motherc. Because she didn’t feel like talking to anyoned. Because she wanted to be mysterious

2. What does Virginia do when she finds the Canterville ghost looking extremely depressed?a. Screams and runs to her roomb. Sneaks off to find her brothersc. Tries to comfort himd. Rolls her eyes and keeps walking

3. What did the brothers of the ghost’s wife do to him after he killed her?a. Shook his handb. Starved him to deathc. Had him shot by firing squadd. Forced ownership of all his possessions

4. What colours did the ghost finally leave Virginia with after stealing various colours to keep up the blood-stain?a. Indigo and Chinese whiteb. Midnight black and forest greenc. Rose pink and indigod. Emerald green and vermillion

5. What does Virginia suggest the Canterville ghost do?a. Move on into the afterlifeb. Take a good, hard look at himselfc. Replace her paintsd. Emigrate to America

6. What does the Canterville ghost say are the “ruins and curiosities” of America?a. The Otis family b. Their navy and their mannersc. Their sense of dress and their accentd. Their food and drink

7. How long has it been since the Canterville ghost has slept?a. 300 yearsb. 40 days and 40 nightsc. Since the Otis family arrivedd. A whole week

8. What is in the Garden of Death that the ghost describes? Select all that apply.a. Total blissful silenceb. The singing of the nightingalec. The hemlock flowerd. A pond full of lilies e. A yew-treef. An oak-tree

9. What must Virginia do for the angel of death to have mercy on the ghost? Select all that apply.a. Weep for his sinsb. Pray for his soulc. Smile for his achievementsd. To have always been good e. To have never insulted deathf. Speak the rosary

10. What do the broidered huntsman on the tapestry do when you tap them? *a. Blow their hornsb. Run awayc. Begin to fightd. Whistle for their horses

11. What do the animals on the carven chimneypiece murmur as Virginia passes with the ghost?a. You are passing into worlds untoldb. The golden girl will be no morec. Don’t listen to the ghost!d. We may never see you again



Quiz


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1. Why isn’t Mrs Otis initially alarmed when the footman tells her he can’t find Virginia?a. Virginia is always late for dinnerb. Virginia often collects flowers for the dinner tablec. She assumes that Virginia is out with the Duke of Cheshired. She’s too hungry to care

2. What have the gypsies left behind at Blackfell Hollow?a. A burning fire and some platesb. Virginia’s dead bodyc. Two horses tied to a treed. A message in a bottle

3. Who gallops up behind Mr Otis on the road to Ascot?a. Washingtonb. The Duke of Cheshire c. The Canterville ghostd. Virginia

4. Where does Mr Otis go after the railway station to search for Virginia?a. Bexleyb. Dartfordc. Chislehurstd. Bromley

5. How do the gypsies explain their sudden departure?a. They were disturbed by a ghostly apparitionb. They mistook the date of Chorton Fairc. They misjudged the distance to Dunstabled. They had kidnapped Virginia

6. What does Mr Otis do when he sees Mrs Otis lying on the sofa?a. Shouts at her for being uselessb. Breaks down in tearsc. Insists that she eats somethingd. Turns and leaves the room without a word

7. What falls off the wall behind Virginia when she appears at the top of the stairs? *a. A candelabra b. A suit of armourc. A bow and arrowd. A painting

8. What did the Canterville ghost give Virginia before he died?a. All his haunting costumesb. The key to all the secrets of the housec. A box of beautiful jewelsd. A special silken cloak

9. What is chained to the wall in the little room behind the great oak door?a. A skeletonb. A huge dogc. A figure encased in a suit of armourd. A dragon

10. What happens when you tap the almond tree outside the window?a. Pale flowers appearb. It shrivels and diesc. It grows to twice its sized. The ghost appears, smiling peacefully



Quiz


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1. How many black horses draw the hearse in the funeral procession?a. Tenb. Eightc. Fourd. Two

2. Who comes to the ghost’s funeral? Select all that apply.a. Lord Cantervilleb. Lady Cantervillec. The Otis familyd. Mrs Umneye. Lady Barbara Modishf. Sir William Gull

3. Where is the ghost’s grave dug?a. Under an old yew-treeb. Under an old oak-treec. Under a rose bushd. Under the almond tree

4. What happens when Virginia lays the cross of almond-blossoms on the coffin?a. The lid of the coffin stirsb. The wind seems to whisper a heartfelt “thankyou”c. The moon comes out and a nightingale begins to singd. The churchyard is bathed in a phosphorescent light

5. Why does Mr Otis have a meeting with Lord Canterville the morning after the funeral?a. He felt bad accepting the jewels the ghost gave to Virginiab. He wanted to sell the house backc. He wanted to make sure Lord Canterville didn’t now want the house backd. He wanted to make sure Lord Canterville wasn’t going to demand the jewels back

6. What does Virginia want to keep as a memento of the ghost?a. The ruby necklaceb. A small pearl broochc. A gold ringd. The box the jewels were in

7. What does Lord Canterville say about the jewels?a. That he will take them back as heirlooms, but Virginia can keep the boxb. That he wants them all back, including the boxc. That they should sell them and split the proceedsd. That Virginia should keep them

8. Why isn’t Mr Otis pleased about Virginia’s marriage to the Duke of Cheshire?a. He likes the Duke but doesn’t think he is good enough for his daughterb. He thinks his daughter is too youngc. He thinks overexposure to the aristocracy threatens the principles of Republican simplicityd. He doesn’t approve of the patriarchal construct of marriage

9. What happens when you tap Sir Simon’s grave? *a. The screen zooms out to show Virginia and the Duke standing together by the graveb. Red rose petals begin to fall onto the gravec. A bunch of roses is thrown onto the graved. A hand suddenly bursts through the grave



Writing

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Choose one of the members of the Otis family. Write a message to your best friend back home in America, telling them all about your experience of moving to England. Tell them about any interesting things that have happened to you since you’ve moved, and explain the differences and similarities between England and America.


Writing

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At the end of Chapter 5, the Canterville ghost takes Virginia through the wainscoting to help him move on from the world of the living. The next thing we know, she has reappeared with the casket of jewels.

Trying to match the storytelling style used by Wilde, write 3 paragraphs continuing Virginia and the ghost’s story from the moment they go through the wainscoting to the moment Virginia reappears with the jewels. Explain what Virginia does to help the ghost pass on, and how the experience makes them both feel.

Writing

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Pretend you are the Chair of the Council of British Ghosts and Ghouls, a body that oversees the haunting activities of all the ghosts in Britain. You have just heard that the Canterville ghost has passed on into death.

Write a eulogy about him to publish in The Haunted Herald (the most popular ghost newspaper in Britain). In the eulogy, describe the Canterville ghost, describe some of his most notable past achievements, and explain why and how he passed on into death.

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Ask your students toDownload the App:

Canterville

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© 2018 iClassics Productions

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These exercises are based on “Canterville”, one of our Immersive Reading Apps.

At iClassics we have invented a new enjoyable and surprising way of reading. The original texts are accompanied by illustrations, music and animations to immerse

yourself in the story.

We make the Classics more enjoyable for Students and reduce the challenges of teaching them for Educators!


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