THE CANTERVILLE GHOST

A Study Guide for Teachers and Students

Artwork for Study Guide by Emily Grosland

Based on the short story by Oscar Wilde

Adapted for the stage by Gayle Cornelison

SYNOPSIS
For three hundred years, a horrible ghost has haunted Canterville Castle located
in the English countryside. It is the ghost of Sir Simon de Canterville, the
original owner of the castle, who was accused of murdering his own wife. Nine
years after his wifes death, Sir Simon mysteriously disappeared without a trace,
and from that time on his spirit has terrorized the castle.
Now, three centuries later, the Otis Family who are from America, have taken
up residence in the castle. They refuse to let the ghost disturb them, despite
warnings from the castles current owner Lord Canterville and the wary
housekeeper Mrs. Umney. Sir Simon tries some of his spookiest tricks on the
family, but nothing can scare them! Instead, they try using American household
products to attempt to cure Sir Simon of some of his ghostly pecularities. The
ghost becomes indignant and frustrated when the Otis children (the eldest,
named Washington, and the young twins, named Stars and Stripes) use their
peashooters on him. Sir Simon realizes that nothing can shock this extremely
American family, and he becomes offended that they are now trying to get rid of
him.
Only Virginia, the Otis Familys sensitive and intelligent daughter, can
empathize with the spectre. Sir Simon confesses to Virginia that he dreams of a
beautiful garden where his weary and tormented spirit can finally rest. By
taking the time to understand the ghost of Sir Simon, Virginia helps to set him
free.

GENERAL DISCUSSION
1. Is Sir Simon a bad ghost or a good ghost? In the play, Mrs. Umney and Lord
Canterville think he is bad, Mr. Otis finds him obnoxious, and Virginia believes
him to be good. Debate the issue as a class. Divide students into two groups and
draw two columns on the board. One side of the class should give reasons why Sir
Simon is bad, and the other side should give reasons why he is good.
2. In the original story, Wilde says of the British people: We have really
everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, language.
The Canterville Ghost is a study in the cultural differences between the British
and American people; the way each nationality speaks English is just one aspect
of the cultural divide. Discuss ways in which Americans and Britons are
different, using examples from the play, from current events, and from history.
3. What are some of the methods that the Otis Family uses to try to get rid of Sir
Simon? Do you think their methods are effective or ineffective? Would using a
household product, such as Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator that they use in the
play, be a good way of getting rid of a ghost?
4. For thousands of years people have debated on whether ghosts are real or not.
Take a survey to see if the class thinks that ghosts are real or fictional? Discuss
the issue with the class.
DRAMATIC ARTS
1. Discuss the use of lighting and sound effects in the play. The Canterville Ghost
is a play that requires a certain environment--a haunted English castle--and in
the theatre, lights and sounds are two of the things used to create that
environment. Were the lighting and sound effects succesful in setting the tone
for the play?
2. To create characters, actors use costumes and makeup to help transform
themselves into the characters that they are playing. In The Canterville Ghost,
the actor playing Sir Simon must use more elaborate makeup than the actors
playing human characters. What did you think of Sir Simons makeup and
costume? Were they successful in making him look like a ghost? What did you
think of the other characters makeup and costumes?
LITERATURE
1. Read the original short story version of The Canterville Ghost by Oscar
Wilde with the class. How is it different from or similar to other well-known
ghost stories, or ghost stories that the class may have read before?
2. Research the life and works of Oscar Wilde. What other famous works did he
write? Wilde is known best as a playwright, and The Canterville Ghost is quite
a theatrical tale. Why do you think he wrote it as a short story and not as a stage
play?

CREATIVE WRITING
1. The Canterville Ghost shows us that ghost stories do not have to be bonechillingly frightening. Have students come up with their own ghost stories
written in the style of their choosing--such as comedy, action or sci-fi. Encourage
them to be as creative in their choices as Wilde was with his.
2. Have students imagine that they are dealing with a haunting somewhere in
their community--such as their home, school, mall or baseball field. It is their job
to get rid of the ghost! Have them write out their plans, using illustrations if
they choose, describing how they will deal with the ghost. Encourage them to be
creative in their planning, like Stars, Stripes, and Washington were in the play.
GEOGRAPHY
1. The fictional Canterville Castle is located in the English countryside; in the
original short story, the narrator says the castle is seven miles from the nearest
train station, in Ascot. Look at a map of England with the class and find this
city. How far is Ascot from some of the well-known locations in England, such as
London, Stonehenge, and Canterbury Cathedral?
2. Great Britain is full of famous castles. Research some of Britains well-known
castles with the class. Assign each student a castle and have them write short
reports on their castle, including who has lived there over the centuries, the
roles the castle played in history, what was going on in Britain at the time the
castle was built, and the architectural style in which the castle was designed.
HISTORY
1. In the play, Washington says that he will call Scotland Yard to explain the
mysterious blood stain in the hall of the castle. What is Scotland Yard? What is
its significance in British history?
2. Lord Canterville explains how his aunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, had a
frightful experience in the castle. What does the word dowager mean? And
what do the titles of duchess and lord mean? Research the titles of the British
aristocracy. What do the titles mean? What do people who hold these titles do?
In America, what titles do we assign to important figures in our government?

ADDITIONAL--WRITE TO CTC!
After watching the play, write about it. Tell what you liked or disliked about the
story, the characters, costumes, set, or anything else you observed. Support
your thoughts with examples and reasons. (Teachers comments are appreciated!)
Mail to:
CTC, P.O. Box 2007
Sunnyvale, CA 94087
READING SUGGESTIONS
Dead Good Read: 21 Classic Tales of Mystery and Horror. Pleasantville, NY:
Readers Digest, 2001.
The Short Stories of Oscar Wilde. Introduction by Robert Gorham Davis with
illustrations by James Hill. New York: Heritage Press, 1968.