How Does The Canterville Ghost End?

2026-01-15 13:35:05
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3 Answers

Ellie
Ellie
Favorite read: THE GHOST BRIDE
Reply Helper Consultant
The ending of 'The Canterville Ghost' is this delightful mix of humor and heart that Oscar Wilde does so well. After tormenting generations of the Canterville family, Sir Simon finally meets his match in the Otises—this no-nonsense American family who aren’t scared of him at all. The daughter, Virginia, is the key to his redemption. She listens to his tragic backstory (he murdered his wife and was starved to death by her brothers—yikes) and takes pity on him.

In the end, Virginia helps Sir Simon find peace by praying for him and accompanying him to the Garden of Death, where he can finally rest. Wilde wraps it up with this bittersweet note: the ghost vanishes, leaving behind a jeweled necklace for Virginia as thanks. It’s such a clever twist on the usual ghost story—instead of fear, it’s about compassion and second chances. I love how Wilde turns something spooky into this touching little parable about kindness.
2026-01-18 08:03:54
2
Nora
Nora
Favorite read: The Surgeon's Ghost
Book Guide UX Designer
Sir Simon’s story ends with this gorgeous little moment of grace. After all his failed attempts to scare the Otises, Virginia—the only one who treats him like a person—helps him Cross over. Wilde’s genius is in the details: the ghost’s relief when he realizes he’s free, the way Virginia keeps his plight a secret until after he’s gone. The final scene, where her brothers find the skeleton chained in the dungeon, could’ve been grim, but Wilde makes it almost tender. The necklace Sir Simon leaves Virginia feels like a thank-you note from beyond the grave. It’s a ghost story where the real haunting is loneliness, and the cure is connection.
2026-01-19 03:42:37
4
Ruby
Ruby
Favorite read: The Ghost of Lost Love
Story Finder Cashier
What struck me about the ending of 'The Canterville Ghost' is how subversive it feels for a Victorian ghost story. Sir Simon spends centuries being this terrifying figure, but the Otises just... don’t care. They oil his chains, mock his moans, and even throw pillows at him. It’s hilarious, but then it takes this turn when Virginia, the pure-hearted daughter, actually talks to him. Wilde’s wit is everywhere—like when the ghost complains about modern stain remover ruining his bloodstain—but the emotional core is Virginia’s empathy.

She negotiates with her family to give the ghost a proper burial after he passes on, and Wilde leaves you with this quiet moment where the Otises find wildflowers blooming on his grave. It’s unexpected and sweet, a reminder that even the 'monsters' might just need someone to listen.
2026-01-19 12:13:13
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