The Canterville Ghost: Question & Answers on Incidents Chapter 1

 The Canterville Ghost: Question & Answers on Incidents

Chapter 1

Q1. Why did Mr. Hiran B. Otis purchase the Canterville Chase from Lord Canterville even if he was told beforehand about the truth of the haunted house?

Ans. Lord Canterville told every thing which he knew about the Canterville Chase to Mr. Hiran B. Otis. But he was adamant (firm) on purchansing the villa. He told Lord Canterville that he belonged to a modern country, America. So he did not believe in ghosts. Rather he suggested to him to value the ghost while valuing all the furniture of the house. He also told Lord Canterville that if there had been such a thing as a ghost in Europe, they would allow them to live in their public museums or keep them on roads for shows.

Q2. What truth about the Canterville Chase was revealed to Mr. Otis by Lord Canterville?

Ans. Lord Canterville told Mr. Otis that the members of his family had not cared to live in the palace since his granddaughter, the Duchess of Bolton was frightened into a fit, from which she never really recovered. He also explained that she was frightened by two skeleton hands that were placed on her shoulders as she was dressing for dinner. Lord Canterville further told Mr. Otis that the ghost was seen by several living members of his family. He also added that a cleric (priest, member of the clergy) of the parish (the area that comes under a priest), the Rev. Augustus Dampier had seen the ghost.

He continued saying that his own wife Lady Canterville often got disturbed in her sleep as some noise would come mysteriously (in a strange manner) from the corridor and the library. He also informed him it always made its appearance before the death of any of his family members.

Q3. Give a brief introduction to each member of Mr. Otis's family.

Ans. Mrs. Otis had been a celebrated New York Belle /bel/  (a beautiful and attractive woman). She was still a very beautiful, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a great profile (the outline of a person’s face seen from a side). Her full name is Lucretia  R. Tappan. She had a marvelous (extremely good) figure and very vibrant (lively, energetic, animated) spirits. In fact, in many ways, she was quite English.

   Her eldest son was named Washington by his parents out of patriotic feelings. He was a fair-haired, good-looking young man. He had qualified himself for American Diplomacy. He was also known as a famous dancer in London. Altogether he was a very sensible person.

   Mr. Otis had a daughter, whose name was Miss. Virginia E Otis. She was a little girl of fifteen, who was a lover of freedom. She had blue eyes and she was also a wonderful athlete.

Q4. What did Mrs. Umney, the maidservant tell Mr. Otis's family about the blood stain that was found on the floor of the library?

Asn. While taking tea in the sitting room, a blood stain on the floor was noticed. Mrs. Otis wanted it to be removed immediately. The housekeeper told Mrs. Otis that it was the blood of Lady-Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own husband, Sir Simon de Canterville in 1575.” After nine years, Sir Simon disappeared suddenly under mysterious circumstances. His body could not be recovered.

After nine years, Sir Simon disappeared suddenly under mysterious circumstances. His body could not be recovered.

5. What was Washingon Otis’ reaction to the blood stain found on the library floor? What did he do to remove it?

Ans. Washington Otis called it a non-sense and remarked that those blood stains could be easily cleaned by ‘Pinkerton’s Champion Stain Remover and Paragon Detergent.’ Before the terrified housekeeper could interfere, Washington Otis had knelt down on his knees and started rubbing the floor with a small stick that looked like a black cosmetic. After a few minutes, the blood stain was completely removed from the floor. After removing the blood stain, Washington Otis stood triumphant (winner) and looking at his admiring family said that he already knew that Pinkerton would remove it easily.

But no sooner did he say this than a terrible flash of lightning lit up the dark room. It was so fearful that all of them were stunned and Mrs. Umney got fainted.