Discussion Topic
Mr. Otis's Encounter with the Ghost in "The Canterville Ghost"
Summary:
In "The Canterville Ghost," Mr. Otis encounters Sir Simon, the ghost, who attempts to scare the Otis family by making loud noises with his chains. Unfazed, Mr. Otis offers the ghost a bottle of oil to silence the chains, demonstrating his pragmatic and calm demeanor. This humorous interaction highlights Mr. Otis's practical nature and the ghost's unexpected failure to frighten the family, setting the tone for the comedic elements of the story.
What did Mr. Otis offer the ghost in "The Canterville Ghost" and why?
Mr. Otis offers Sir Simon's ghost some oil. Mr. Otis wants Sir Simon to oil his squeaky ghost chains, so the chains won't make so much noise at night.
Soon after the Otis family moves into Canterville Chase, Sir Simon begins his haunting antics. The ghost's goal is to frighten the Otis family into leaving the house. He has been successful at this kind of thing for hundreds of years. He has no reason to doubt his continued success.
On one particular night, the Otis family has all gone to bed. Sir Simon begins moving through the house quite noisily. He is dragging a set of chains and manacles with him. The noise wakes up Mr. Otis.
Some time after, Mr. Otis was awakened by a curious noise in the corridor, outside his room. It sounded like the clank of metal, and seemed to be coming nearer every moment.
Annoyed,...
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Mr. Otis gets out of bed, grabs a bottle of oil, and greets Sir Simon by the bedroom door. Sir Simon looks terrifying. He's got red eyes and ragged clothing, but Mr. Otis isn't fazed at all. Mr. Otis politely hands Sir Simon the oil and kindly asks that the ghost use the oil. That way his chains won't make noises that wake people up.
"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should you require it."
Describe the ghost's first meeting with Mr. Otis in "The Canterville Ghost."
Sir Simon's first meeting with Mr. Otis is hilarious. It's hilarious, because Mr. Otis's response is completely unexpected. The encounter starts off spooky enough. It is late at night, and everybody is asleep. Sir Simon enters the scene, and he is rattling his chains and making all kinds of spooky noises. Mr. Otis calmly puts on his slippers and grabs some oil. He steps out into the hall and is confronted face to face with Sir Simon the ghost. The description is as follows:
Right in front of him he saw, in the wan moonlight, an old man of terrible aspect. His eyes were as red burning coals; long grey hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils; his garments, which were of antique cut, were soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves.
I'd be scared. Red burning eyes, gross hair, soiled clothes, and manacles. If that was a real person, I would be scared. The fact that it is a ghost is even more terrifying. But the amazing part about the encounter is that Mr. Otis isn't scared. At all. He's completely calm. Perhaps even a bit annoyed. Mr. Otis simply, and calmly, tells Sir Simon to be quiet, oil up his chains, and let everybody sleep.
"My dear sir," said Mr. Otis, "I really must insist on your oiling those chains, and have brought you for that purpose a small bottle of the Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator. It is said to be completely efficacious upon one application, and there are several testimonials to that effect on the wrapper from some of our most eminent native divines. I shall leave it here for you by the bedroom candles, and will be happy to supply you with more, should you require it." With these words the United States Minister laid the bottle down on a marble table, and, closing his door, retired to rest.