The Canterville Ghost Characters
Every major character in The Canterville Ghost by Oscar Wilde, with a portrait, who they are and the chapters they appear in.
Hiram B. OtisProtagonist · 7 chaptersThe pragmatic American Minister who buys Canterville Chase and meets its ancient ghost with humour and practical solutions.
The Otis TwinsMinor character · 7 chaptersThe minister’s mischievous young twin sons who treat Canterville’s haunted house as a playground and torment the ghost.
Virginia OtisProtagonist · 7 chaptersThe compassionate, athletic fifteen‑year‑old daughter of the Otis family who befriends the ghost and brings him peace.
Washington OtisMajor character · 7 chaptersEldest son of the American Otis family; brisk, practical, and one of the boys who treats the ghost with mockery and jokes.
Mrs. OtisMajor character · 6 chaptersPractical, calm American wife of Mr. Otis who meets the haunting with steady common sense and housekeeping solutions.
Sir Simon de CantervilleMajor character · 6 chaptersA centuries-old English nobleman’s ghost who haunts Canterville Chase and seeks to frighten residents but meets modern skepticism.
Lord CantervilleMajor character · 5 chaptersThe elderly owner who sells Canterville Chase and preserves family honor while advising the new American owners.
The Duke of CheshireMajor character · 4 chaptersA young English nobleman devoted to Virginia Otis, frequent at Canterville Chase and her eventual husband.
Mrs. UmneyMinor character · 3 chaptersThe long-serving, anxious housekeeper of Canterville Chase who knows the house’s lore and greets the Otis family.
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