THE CANTERVILLE GHOST by Oscar WILDE

CHARACTERS

Mr. Hiram B. Otis

The father of the Otis family and the American Minister. He bought the Canterville Chase. He comes from a modern country where they have everything that money can buy. He is determined, inflexible, rational, practical and pragmatic, in fact he is a true American.  

Mrs. Otis

She looked like an English Lady. She had been a well-known Ney York beauty. The mother isn't scared of the ghost. She is a very handsome middle-aged woman.

Lord Canterville

He is the owner of the chase who sells it to the Otis family. He warns the family about the ghost.

Washington

the son of Mr. Otis. He is an excellent dancer and a good-looking man. He is very sensible.

The Twins (page 33)

Two happy little boys who laugh and shout a lot. They like to play tricks on people and are often punished for them. Through the story, they imagine jokes and even dress up as ghosts. They tease the ghost.

Mrs. Umney

She is the housekeeper. She is an old woman usually in a dark colored dress. She believes in the ghost. She is a representative of old British traditions. 

Virginia

She is one of the most important and main characters in the story. She is a little girl of 15 and lovely with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. In respect to her family she is kind and good-hearted. The daughter is the only one in the family who is scared by the ghost. She helps the ghost to be free at the end of the story.

The Ghost

another main character in the story. His name is Sir Simon. He died, but his spirit still haunts the Chase. He murdered his wife. He disappeared and his body was never discovered. His aspect is very terrible: He is an old man, his eyes were as red burning coals, long grey hair fell over his shoulders. From ghost’s wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and chains.