History Literature / TheCantervilleGhost

[[quoteright:230:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/canterville_ghost.png]]

"The Canterville Ghost" (1887) is Creator/OscarWilde's AffectionateParody of the HauntedHouse tradition.

The story is in the public domain, and can be read [[http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-stories/UBooks/CanGho.shtml here]]. There have been several screen adaptations, most notably a 1944 film (directed by Jules Dassin and starring Creator/CharlesLaughton as Sir Simon) which [[SettingUpdate updates the setting]] to the UsefulNotes/WorldWarII era.

''The Canterville Ghost'' (1887) is Creator/OscarWilde's AffectionateParody of the HauntedHouse tradition.

It's currently in public domain, and can be read [[http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-stories/UBooks/CanGho.shtml here]].

!!''The Canterville Ghost'' provides examples of:

* SettingUpdate: A 1980s version, where the Otises inherit Castle Canterville and have to survive three months rather than buy a Chase-style mansion. Removes Washington and the Twins.

* SettingUpdate: A 1980's version, where the Otises inherit Castle Canterville and have to survuve 3 months rather than buy a Chase-style mansion. Removes Washington and the Twins.

!!Tropes used:

* ABloodyMess: For most of the story, the mysteriously-regenerating bloodstain is actually [[spoiler: paint that Sir Simon steals from Virginia.]]

* CruelAndUnusualDeath: Simon's brothers in law execute him by immural-that is, putting a person in an alcove and building a wall over it.

* DeathByMaterialism: Invoked and then hilariously subverted with the Otis family, who are walking [[{{Infomercial}} informercials]].

* InnocentBlueEyes: Virginia has big beautiful expressive eyes. She's a very sweet, innocent girl who helps Sir Simon to find his

--> When a golden girl can win
--> Prayer from out the lips of sin,
--> When the barren almond bears,
--> And a little child gives away its tears,
--> Then shall all the house be still
--> And peace come to Canterville.

* SealedRoomInTheMiddleOfNowhere: [[spoiler: Sir Simon's brothers-in-law murdered him by locking him up in a secret room in the Chase, then leaving him there to starve.]]
* SupernaturalProofFather: Invoked and then inverted. Everybody, including Mr. Otis, ''believes'' in the ghost; it's just that nobody finds him frightening.
** The ghost makes its first appearance by clanking its chains. Mr. Otis' response is to hand him a bottle of lubricant and go back to sleep.

* UndeathAlwaysEnds:[[spoiler: Thanks to Virginia fulfilling the prophecy.]]

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/canterville_ghost.png]]
''The Canterville Ghost'' (1887) is Creator/OscarWilde's AffectionateParody of the HauntedHouse tradition. A wealthy American political family, headed by Hiram Otis, purchases Canterville Chase from its aristocratic owners. Initially, Mr. Otis scoffs at the news that the estate comes with a ghost, but sure enough, one soon appears: Sir Simon de Canterville, who murdered his wife in 1575, and was murdered himself a few years later. As Sir Simon discovers all too quickly, the Otis family proves resistant to his best haunting effects, and he becomes deeply melancholy. The innocent Virginia Otis, however, turns out to be the solution to his plight.

* ReallyFondOfSleeping:

* GhostlyGoals: Played with. Sir Simon considers haunting to be his "solemn duty."

* InnocentBlueEyes: Virginia.
* JacobMarleyApparel: Sir Simon's first manifestation is a ShoutOut to Marley, complete with lots of chains.
* LargeHam: Sir Simon's whole persona.
* MeaningfulName: The innocent Virginia.
* ParentalMarriageVeto: Initially attempted with Virginia and the Duke of Cheshire.
* ThePowerOfLove: Played absolutely straight.

"The Canterville Ghost" (1887) is Creator/OscarWilde's AffectionateParody of the HauntedHouse tradition. A wealthy American political family, headed by Hiram Otis, purchases Canterville Chase from its aristocratic owners. Initially, Mr. Otis scoffs at the news that the estate comes with a ghost, but sure enough, one soon appears: Sir Simon de Canterville, who murdered his wife in 1575, and was murdered himself a few years later. As Sir Simon discovers all too quickly, the Otis family proves resistant to his best haunting effects, and he becomes deeply melancholy. The innocent Virginia Otis, however, turns out to be the solution to his plight.

* AdaptionalNiceGuy: Some adaptations make Sir Simon more sympathetic than he was in the original.

"The Canterville Ghost" (1887) is OscarWilde's AffectionateParody of the HauntedHouse tradition. A wealthy American political family, headed by Hiram Otis, purchases Canterville Chase from its aristocratic owners. Initially, Mr. Otis scoffs at the news that the estate comes with a ghost, but sure enough, one soon appears: Sir Simon de Canterville, who murdered his wife in 1575, and was murdered himself a few years later. As Sir Simon discovers all too quickly, the Otis family proves resistant to his best haunting effects, and he becomes deeply melancholy. The innocent Virginia Otis, however, turns out to be the solution to his plight.

* CreepyHousekeeper: Mrs. Umney, who speaks in a "low, mysterious voice."

* HairOFGoldHeartOfGold: Virginia.

* [[spoiler: UndeathAlwaysEnds: Thanks to Virginia fulfilling the prophecy.]]

* VoluntaryShapeshifting: Played with. Sir Simon's roles combine this with actual costumes and props.

* HellIsThatNoise: Sir Simon's chains are ''supposed'' to be this, but they only move Mr. Otis to offer some Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator.

* JerkassWoobie: Sir Simon, who is both genuinely evil--he murdered his wife and has successfully driven several people insane or worse--and pathetic, especially after the Otises get through with him.