In Chapter Five of "The Canterville Ghost," Virginia Otis plays a very important role in helping the ghost to find eternal peace in the Garden of Death. During her absence, her family are beside themselves with worry but, in Chapter Six, she reappears as suddenly as she vanished.
On her return, Virginia reveals few details of what happened when she went through the tapestry door with the ghost. Instead, she tells them:
"I have been...
In Chapter Five of "The Canterville Ghost," Virginia Otis plays a very important role in helping the ghost to find eternal peace in the Garden of Death. During her absence, her family are beside themselves with worry but, in Chapter Six, she reappears as suddenly as she vanished.
On her return, Virginia reveals few details of what happened when she went through the tapestry door with the ghost. Instead, she tells them:
"I have been with the ghost. He is dead, and you must come and see him. He had been very wicked, but he was really sorry for all that he had done, and he gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died."
She continues that "God has forgiven him" and this is an important message in the story. By saying sorry for the bad things the ghost has done, notably the murder of his wife, he has received divine forgiveness and is able to leave Canterville Chase and rest eternally, undisturbed.
Virginia does not give her family any details of what happened because she has a profound respect for the ghost. She also echoes Wilde's sentiment that the ghost's status as a forgiven man is more important than any of the bad deeds he has committed.
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