In "The Canterville Ghost," Virginia was the only member of the Otis family who noticed the forlorn and depressed ghost. Why do you think this is?

In Chapter Five of "The Canterville Ghost," Virginia Otis returns home after riding her horse and finds the ghost looking very depressed in the Tapestry Chamber. Her instinct is to run away but she becomes so full of "pity" that she is determined to try and comfort him.

This intervention tells us much about the character of Virginia. First of all, she is far more sensitive to the emotions of others, than anyone else in...

In Chapter Five of "The Canterville Ghost," Virginia Otis returns home after riding her horse and finds the ghost looking very depressed in the Tapestry Chamber. Her instinct is to run away but she becomes so full of "pity" that she is determined to try and comfort him.

This intervention tells us much about the character of Virginia. First of all, she is far more sensitive to the emotions of others, than anyone else in her family. We see this in Virginia's reaction to the blood stain in the library. While her parents and siblings simply try to clean it off, Virginia is "always a good deal distressed" about it and almost cried when the colour changed to emerald green. In this respect, Virginia is the most empathetic character in the story and this makes her more likely to notice the sadness of others.

Secondly, it could be argued that Virginia is the only person to notice the ghost because she is the only one who can fulfil the prophecy and help him to achieve redemption. As the prophecy states:

"When a golden girl can win,

Prayer from out the lips of sin,

When the barren almond bears,

And a little child gives away its tears."

The ghost cannot get eternal rest without the help of a "golden girl" who is prepared to cry for him. While Virginia believes that murder is wrong, she does not judge the ghost nor does she seek to prolong his suffering. She is prepared to help him in any way that she can, even though she is afraid of what lies beyond the tapestry door. In this respect, she truly is a "golden girl;" not just fair in complexion but of the highest and most noble character and this is why it is Virginia who notices the ghost, and not anybody else.