my review

Oscar Wilde’s The Canterville Ghost subverts the terrifying tropes of traditional ghost stories with a playful touch, embodying the unique charm of British humour in every line. Sir Simon, the ghost who has haunted Canterville Chase for centuries, intends to terrify the new American residents with his legendary reputation for horror. However, his attempts repeatedly backfire against the pragmatic Otis family: when he brandishes his rusty sword and clanks his chains to scare them, the family merely offers him oil for the chains and a remedy for his "cold"; when he appears in his most gruesome guise, the twin boys play pranks on him with toy pea-shooters and fake ghosts. Wilde uses this comical clash between the old European aristocratic ghost and the modern American family to satirize the rigid traditions of the British upper class and the brash materialism of American capitalism. Beyond the humour, the story also touches on redemption—Sir Simon’s longing for peace and his eventual release from his curse add a poignant layer to the comedy. The Canterville Ghost is not just a light-hearted farce but a clever commentary on cultural conflict and the universal desire for forgiveness.