In this post, you will get a short summary of The Canterville Ghost Chapter 4 “Schoolboy’s Tricks” as well as questions and their answers related to Chapter 4. The Canterville Ghost is a novel written by Oscar Wilde, who is famous for his witty and humorous tone in his writings as well as surprise endings.
The Canterville Ghost Chapter 4 “Schoolboys’ Tricks” summary: When it comes to the battle with the Otis family, the ghost is starting to lose hope. He finally relinquishes his duty to maintain the library’s bloodstain, exhausted after his efforts have failed. To avoid detection by the twins, he removes his boots, wears a black cloak, and actually oils his chains when performing his other “ghostly” duties, such as chattering from the Oriel window on the first and third Wednesdays of each month.
The twins, on the other hand, continue to torment the ghost and set traps for him to fall into. The ghost is enraged into action after a particularly bad fall on a butter slide while dressed as “Black Isaac, or the Huntsman of Hogley Woods,” and plans to make a terrifying appearance as Reckless Rupert or the Headless Earl, as he recalls having a terrifying effect on Lady Barbara Modish in this guise. Lady Barbara had broken off her engagement to the ghost after seeing him.
Despite his meticulous planning, the plan comes to a halt when the ghost opens the door to the twins’ room and pours a jug of water on him. Despite the fact that the ghost is ‘headless’ for this appearance, he has a cold as a result of the mishap. When he recovers, he keeps a low profile by creeping through passages in soft-soled slippers.
Despite his precautions, he is dealt a final blow by the twins and Washington on September 19th. The ghost, dressed as “Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn,” amuses himself by commenting on the photographs of the American minister and his wife on display in the entrance hall. As the ghost moves on to the library to check for any remaining traces of the bloodstain, the twins jump out from the shadows and startle him. Panic-stricken, he trills “Jonas the Graveless,
The ghost no longer ventures out in his despair, and the Otis family believes he has vanished. Mr Otis resumes work on his ‘History of the Democratic Party,’ while Mrs Otis organises a clambake that is a huge success. The boys develop an interest in lacrosse and other sports. Lord Canterville is informed that the ghost has vanished, and Mr Otis congratulates the American couple. The ghost, on the other hand, is very much alive in the house and is plotting to scare the young Duke of Cheshire, who is staying with Otises as a house guest.
The ghost is especially eager to demonstrate that he still has power over the current Stilton descendants, as he recalls frightening the Duke’s great-uncle, Lord Francis Stilton. Lord Stilton had bet Lord Carbury a hundred guineas that he would play dice with the ghost, and the following morning, he was found helpless and paralysed. Despite the fact that Lord Stilton lived to be a ripe old age, he was unable to say anything after the incident other than ‘double sixes.’ Although the matter was kept as private as possible, Lord Tattle recounted the entire episode in his book Recollections of the Prince Regent and his Friends.
The ghost is planning a terrifying appearance as The Vampire Monk, or the Bloodless Benedictine, remembering his great success in hastening the death of old Lady Startup. Lady Startup had gone into a shrieking fit, which led to apoplexy, which eventually led to her death three days later. Despite his preparations, the terror of the twins saps his resolve to terrify the Duke, and the ghost remains locked in his room.
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Canterville Ghost Chapter 4 questions and answers
COMPREHENSION
1. How do we come to know that the ghost had changed and become quite diligent about doing the right thing as a supernatural being?
Answer: The Canterville Ghost’s nerves were completely shattered after four weeks of excitement, and he started at the slightest noise. He even gave up on the bloodstain on the library floor being renewed. As a ghost, he believed it was his responsibility to appear once a week in the corridor and gibber from the large window on the first and third Wednesdays. Despite the fact that his life had been filled with evil and he was depressed, he was determined to do the right thing when it came to the supernatural, but he made certain that he would not be seen or heard while carrying out his duties. This demonstrates that the ghost had evolved, as his goal was no longer to terrify the house’s occupants, but rather to simply carry out his duty and do the right thing as a supernatural being.
2. a. Does the ghost try to safeguard himself while continuing to discharge his ghostly duties? Why does he do this?
b. Is it strange that a ghost has to protect himself and act with caution?
c. Point out three measures that the ghost adopts in order to safeguard himself.
Answer: a. Yes, the ghost makes an effort to protect himself while performing his duties. To protect himself from the Twins and other members of the Otis family, he does this.
b) Yes, it’s odd that a ghost, a supernatural being, needs to defend itself.
c) To protect himself, the ghost took off his boots and walked as quietly as possible. He was dressed in a voluminous black velvet cloak. He also oiled his chains on a regular basis to keep them from making any noise.
4. Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for the staircase, …
a. Why do you think the panic was deemed to be natural? Is there a resemblance between the ghost and human beings in general, while being attributed with feelings of panic?
b. What happened near the staircase?
Answer: a. It seems natural because the Canterville Ghost isn’t just any ghost; it’s a ghost with a distinct personality. Because the ghost has human-like emotions, it’s understandable that he was taken aback when the Twins appeared out of nowhere.
b. Two figures leapt in front of him and shrieked “BOO” in his ears as the ghost walked towards the library to see if there were any traces of the blood-stain left. The ghost became frantic and dashed for the stairwell.
INTERPRETATION
1. What made the ghost conclude that the Otises were evidently people on a low, material plane of existence and quite incapable of appreciating the symbolic value of sensuous phenomena?
Answer: Because the Otises were unaffected by the supernatural, the ghost concluded that they were people living on a low, material plane of existence who were incapable of appreciating the symbolic value of sensuous phenomena. When the ghost rattled his chains, Mr Otis offered him a rising Sun lubricator instead of being scared, and Mrs Otis offered him a tincture for indigestion when he gave his demonic laughter. Many pranks were played on him by the Twins and Washington. All of this led the ghost to the conclusion that the Otis family was clearly low-level materialists who were incapable of appreciating the symbolic value of sensuous phenomena.
2. It was his solemn duty to appear in the corridor once a week, and to gibber from the large oriel window …
a. What is the author trying to indicate by pointing out the ghost’s sense of duty?
b. Do you see a slow but certain transformation in the ghost becoming submissive and resorting to self-protection?
Answer: a. Canterville’s Ghost is unlike any other ghost. Oscar Wilde, the author, has created a ghost with a personality, opinions, and feelings. The ghost is also a bit of a performer. The author emphasises the ghost’s sense of duty to demonstrate that the ghost, like any other human, is depressed because he is unable to fulfil his duty.
b. Yes, since the beginning of the story, the ghost’s personality has evolved. Initially, he was portrayed as a ferociously proud ghost who takes pride in his past. He was fond of reminiscing about his three-hundred-year brilliant and uninterrupted career. As the narrator admits, these recollections border on egotism, but they are essential to comprehending his delight in scaring others. However, his failure to frighten the Otis family reveals the ghost’s darker side. At first, he was enraged and determined to exact his vengeance. His character softened and he became more vulnerable as his failures increased. The ghost was weak and tired. He was startled by the tiniest sounds and resorted to self-defence to avoid the Otis.
5. a. Why did the ghost recall his connection with the young Duke of Cheshire? Is that why he wanted to terrorize him?
b. Does this tell us something about the ghost’s tendency to hold grudges for long periods of time?
c. What prevented the ghost from terrorizing the young Duke?
Answer: a. The ghost remembered frightening the Duke of Cheshire’s grand-uncle while the Duke was staying at Canterville Chase for a few days. He wanted to terrorise him in order to demonstrate that he had not lost control over the Duke’s family.
b. Yes, this incident demonstrates the ghost’s proclivity for holding grudges for a long time. He had bet a hundred guineas that he would play dice with the Canterville Ghost, so he did not forget the Duke’s grand uncle.
c. As the ghost was afraid of the Twins, he didn’t terrorize the young Duke.
Ron’e Dutta is a journalist, teacher, aspiring novelist, and blogger who manages Online Free Notes. An avid reader of Victorian literature, his favourite book is Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë. He dreams of travelling the world. You can connect with him on social media. He does personal writing on ronism.
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