Saturday, March 12, 2011

What is the Canterville ghost going to tell the other ghost in Oscar Wilde's story "The Canterville Ghost"?

In Chapter Three of "The Canterville Ghost," the Canterville ghost gets an unexpected surprise when he meets with another ghost in the house. Initially, this "horrible spectre" terrifies the Canterville ghost because he has never seen a ghost before; however, later he decides to go and speak with him. Though Wilde does not reveal his exact words, it becomes clear that the Canterville ghost believes that this other ghost will be a useful ally, as explained in the text:



He returned towards the spot where he had first laid eyes on the grisly phantom, feeling that, after all, two ghosts were better than one, and that, by the aid of his new friend, he might safely grapple with the twins.



Sadly, however, the Canterville ghost realizes that this other ghost is, in fact, a dummy created by the Otis boys. This was nothing more than a trick designed to frighten and humiliate the Canterville ghost and, to this end, it was very successful.  

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