The Canterville Ghost and Other Stories

“THE CANTERVILLE GHOST”

Alberto Puente González.BT-2ºB

I.E.S. Cristo de Rosario. ZAFRA (Badajoz)

08/02/2012

Title: The Canterville Ghost and Other Stories Author: Oscar Wilde Publishing house: Richmond

1.-“The Canterville Ghost” (Oscar Wilde 1854-1900) “The Canterville Ghost" is a popular short story

by Oscar Wilde, widely adapted for the screen and stage. It was the first of Wilde's stories to be published, appearing in the magazine The Court and Society Review in February 1887. It was later included in a collection of short stories entitled Lord Arthur Savile's Crime and Other Stories in 1891. Many film and TV productions have been based on the story.

The story of “the Canterville Ghost” takes place in an old English country house called, “Canterville Chase”, which has all the accoutrements of a traditional haunted house. For instance: descriptions of the wainscoting , the library paneled in black oak and the armor in the hallway characterize the Gothic setting and helping to Oscar Wilde clash the Old World with the New.

2.-SUMMARY The story begins when Mr Otis's family move to Canterville Chase, despite warnings from Lord Canterville that the house is haunted. The Otis family includes Mr. and Mrs. Otis, their daughter Virginia, twin boys and their eldest son Washington. At the beginning of the tale, not one member of the Otis family believes in ghosts, but shortly after they move in, none of them can deny the presence of Sir Simon (The Ghost). The family hears clanking chains, they witness re-appearing bloodstains "on the floor just by the fireplace" and they see strange apparitions in various forms. But, humorously, none of these scare the Otis in the least. Despite Sir Simon’s attempts to appear in the most awful guises, the family refuses to be frightened and Sir Simon feels increasingly helpless and humiliated. Finally, the fifteen years old daughter Virgina takes any pity on him and saves him from his eternal damnation, being the only people who help him.

3. - CHARACTERS :

Oscar Wilde creates stereotypical characters

that represent both England and the United States, and he presents each of these characters as comical figures, satirizing both the unrefined tastes of Americans and the determination of the British to guard their traditions.

Lord Canterville: He is the previous owner of the mansion, and supposed relation to the Ghost, he sold the house to Mr. Otis, but he didn't shy from the details when telling him that the house is haunted.

Mr. Hiram B. Otis: He is a calm boisterous head of the Otis family. Mr. Otis first dismisses tales of a ghost in his newly purchased English house, arguing that the modern country of America has already bought up anything of value from the Old World. At the end, he accepts the Simon´s presence in the house.

Mrs. Lucretia Otis: She is a modern matriarch of the Otis clan and a very handsome middle-aged woman who has been a celebrated New York belle. Sir Simon views her as a gross materialist wife. Generally she is undisturbed by the Ghost’s performances.

Sir Simon (the Ghost). Obviously, he is the most colorful character in the story He stands in perfect contrast to the Otis. Sir Simon misunderstands the Otis just as they misunderstand him. He assumes a series of dramatic roles in his failed attempts to impress and terrify the Otis, making it easy to imagine him as a comical character . During the course of the story, we see him brave, frightening, distressed, scared, and finally, depressed and weak. He exposes his vulnerability during an encounter with Virginia.

Virginia Otis: She is the beautiful fifteen-years old the Otis´ daughter, who inspires the love of the young Duke of Cheshire as the story begins. She is the only in her family that try to cure" the ghost “and Sir Simon recognizes this fact.

The ghost reveals to Virginia the tragic tale of his life and she takes him seriously. Sir Simon begs Virginia to pray for him so that he can finally achieve eternal rest in peace. Then, she goes with him to the Garden of Death. Finally, Sir Simon helps her to understand “what Life is, what Death signifies, and why Love is stronger than both.”

Whashintong Otis : He is the eldest blond and nice son. He loves the action and teases the ghost, helped by the twins.

The Twins (Stars & Stripes): They are the youngest children of the Otis family and the twins are wild hooligans. They don’t fear the ghost and their constant practical jokes leave Sir Simon shaken and weak.

Duke of Cheshire: Desperately he is in love with Virginia Otis and he wishes to marry her.

4.-Personal Opinion After reading this fantastic tale, I think that Oscar Wilde tells us, in a humorous tone mixed with gothic atmosphere , a sharp social criticism about the extreme attitudes comparing the American Otis family with the traditional English upper class.

Undoubtedly, the author shows us two opposite worlds : one of them represents the old-fashioned Victorian values of the English Decadents and the other show us a modern society more practical and less conservative. This is certainly not the first time that an author has used the traditional ghost story and the theme of life and death to examine the issue of forgiveness. Oscar Wilde clearly wishes to emphasize the culture clash between England and the United States giving more relevance to the new society for being like a breath of fresh air.

Finally, I believe that It is fantastic that “a little tale can become a big story� ! and only a great genius like Oscar Wilde can get it!

VOCABULARY CHART Name_____________________Alberto Puente______________________ Class _Bt 2b_____ Date___________ Title ______________Bloodstain on the floor_____________________________________ Chapter ____1___

Record new words on the chart. First, write the vocabulary word. Next, write what it means.Then, use the word in your own sentence.

WORD

MEANING

SENTENCE

He made an enormous effort to achieve his goals

Effort

Esfuerzo

Upset

Trastocado

Busily

Afanosamente

Lead

Conducir

His daily bad manners lead to an impossible coexistence

Crowd

Cima

The child was lost in the crowd of the amusement park

Rest

Descanso

He obviously need a rest

Rook

Grajo

The most famous poem by Allan Poe is called “the raven “and talk about a black rook

His mother became very upset when she knew the true His parents spent the last weekend busily cleaning the cottage.

VOCABULARY CHART Name_________________________Alberto Puente__________________ Class __Bt 2b____ Date___________ Title ______________A shock for the ghost_____________________________________ Chapter ____2___

Record new words on the chart. First, write the vocabulary word. Next, write what it means.Then, use the word in your own sentence.

WORD

MEANING

SENTENCE

Whole

Completo

The whole family went to the countryside

Belong to

Pertenecer a

This text belongs to the novel titled “Canterville Tales”

Case

Caso

In this case , I agree with you

Chains

Cadenas

The prisoner dragged his chains along the corridor

Breath

Aliento

This new toothpaste gives you a fresh breath

VOCABULARY CHART

Name_____________________Alberto Puente______________________ Class ___Bt2b___ Date___________ Title ________________________The ghost gets upset___________________________ Chapter ___3____

Record new words on the chart. First, write the vocabulary word. Next, write what it means.Then, use the word in your own sentence.

WORD

MEANING

SENTENCE

Below

Por debajo de

They live below their means

Wild

Salvaje, yerma

They live in a wild land

Anger

Ira

Her anger does not allow to forgive her family

Disrespectful

Irrespetuoso

He usually speaks in a disrespectful way

VOCABULARY CHART

Name_______________________Alberto Puente____________________ Class ___Bt2b___ Date___________ Title ______________________The ghostly plan_____________________________ Chapter ____4___

Record new words on the chart. First, write the vocabulary word. Next, write what it means.Then, use the word in your own sentence.

WORD

MEANING

SENTENCE

Feather

Pluma

This bedding is made with duck feathers

Brush

Cepillo

My electric toothbrush is fantastic

Barn owl

Lechuza

Barn owls are protected by Law

Lift

Levantar

Nowadays everyone wants to get a facelift

VOCABULARY CHART

Name_______________________Alberto Puente____________________ Class __Bt2b____ Date___________ Title ________________________Headless Rupert___________________________ Chapter ___5____

Record new words on the chart. First, write the vocabulary word. Next, write what it means.Then, use the word in your own sentence.

WORD

MEANING

SENTENCE

Wide

Amplio

My dentist asked me to open my wide mouth

Take off

Despegar, quitarse

Take off your coat at home

VOCABULARY CHART Name_____________________Alberto Puente ______________________ Class ___Bt 2b___ Date___________

Title __________________________Terror in the library_________________________ Chapter ___6____

Record new words on the chart. First, write the vocabulary word. Next, write what it means.Then, use the word in your own sentence.

WORD

MEANING

SENTENCE

Above

Por encima

Flies flew above my head

Guest

Invitado, huĂŠsped

He was the main guest in the party

VOCABULARY CHART Name_____________________Alberto Puente______________________ Class ___Bt2b___ Date___________

Title ________________________A young girl’s tears___________________________ Chapter ___7____

Record new words on the chart. First, write the vocabulary word. Next, write what it means.Then, use the word in your own sentence.

WORD

MEANING

SENTENCE

Weakly

Débilmente

He weakly opened his eyes after the surgery

Wet

Húmedo

A wet rain slowly wet the street

Beyond

Más allá de

There is nothing beyond the death

Fearful

Temeroso

My brother was a fearful row

Nightingale

Ruiseñor

When the nightingale sings I feel right

VOCABULARY CHART Name____________________Alberto Puente_______________________ Class __Bt2b____ Date___________

Title __________________________The terrible secret_________________________ Chapter ____8___

Record new words on the chart. First, write the vocabulary word. Next, write what it means.Then, use the word in your own sentence.

WORD

MEANING

SENTENCE

Gypsies

Gitanos

In that area was a gypsy camp

Hidden

Oculto

She has a very hidden personality

VOCABULARY CHART Name_______________________Alberto Puente____________________ Class ___Bt2b___ Date___________

Title ________________________The garden of death___________________________ Chapter ___9____

Record new words on the chart. First, write the vocabulary word. Next, write what it means.Then, use the word in your own sentence.

WORD

MEANING

SENTENCE

Pulled

Sac贸

He pulled the best card

Valuable

Valioso

He is considered the most valuable people