Who Sir Simon de Canterville is
Sir Simon de Canterville is a proud ghost who takes his work of frightening the house's inhabitants seriously. His long grey hair, rusty manacles and clanking chains belong to the terrors that the Otis family refuses to fear. He thinks of his hauntings as performances and remembers the fear his many roles once inspire.
What Sir Simon de Canterville wants
Sir Simon wants to frighten the new tenants and recover the dignity their practical responses have wounded. When Hiram B. Otis offers oil for his noisy chains, he feels insulted rather than grateful. He prepares fresh appearances, but the twins answer his efforts with traps, pillows and a mock ghost.
How Sir Simon de Canterville changes
Repeated failures leave Sir Simon tired and sad, and he begins hiding from the family he hopes to terrify. His theatrical pride gives way to a clearer sense of loneliness and weariness.
Sir Simon de Canterville and the others in the story
Virginia Otis treats Sir Simon differently from the rest of her family and feels pity when she finds him alone. She does not excuse his past wrongdoing, but listens as he speaks about his suffering and longing for rest.
Questions
Who is Sir Simon de Canterville?
He is the proud, theatrical ghost of Canterville Chase, the English country house bought by the Otis family.
Why does Sir Simon fear the twins?
The twins turn his hauntings against him with practical jokes and traps. Their mock ghost even frightens him.
Is Sir Simon de Canterville evil?
He has done terrible things, but Wilde also shows his sorrow and need for sympathy. Virginia recognises his suffering without excusing his wrongdoing.