He wants to see them taken away by Lord Canterville because he worries that their presence will somehow corrupt the practical, democratic values he has tried to teach to his daughter.

Otis's discomfort with the jewels reflects his discomfort with the aristocracy, their traditions, and his dawning realization that these might be seductive to his daughter. The jewels clearly symbolize tradition, heritage, and the past they are ancient, and were bestowed as a gift, rather than earned or purchased.

Since his crime was committed against a woman, it also seems appropriate that another woman needed to be the one to redeem him and set him free. When the only thing he cared about was scaring people, he could not be redeemed, but his affection for Virginia has set him free. Virginia shows her special bond with the ghost by playing a prominent role in the funeral and laying flowers on the grave part of why the ghost seems to have been able to achieve peace and redemption is because he was able to experience a real bond with another human being. The funeral itself, however, performs many ancient traditions and reflects the continuity of the Canterville family heritage. He has finally achieved peace, but the burial also indicates an acceptance that a certain way of life and seeing the world has ended. The funeral and laying to rest of Sir Simon's bones symbolically mark the end of an era. The Duke agrees to let her keep her secret, but the story ends with him playfully suggesting that she might someday tell their children. Virginia says that she cannot disclose her secret, but that she learned the meaning of life during her time with the ghost. The Duke teasingly complains that Virginia is keeping secrets from him: she has never explained exactly what happened during the time she was missing. Shortly after their marriage, the Duke and Virginia go to Canterville Chase and stop to visit Sir Simon’s grave. Otis explains that he sees the jewels as being part of the Canterville family heritage and that he is uncomfortable with the decadence and luxury they represent, but Lord Canterville insists on Virginia keeping the jewels.Ī few years later, she marries the young Duke of Cheshire and takes her place amidst the English aristocracy.

Otis asks about whether he would like Virginia to return the jewels she was given. Lord Canterville comes to attend the funeral, and Mr. Four days later, a magnificent funeral takes place and Sir Simon’s bones are finally laid to rest in the local graveyard.

The canterville ghost novel