The Canterville Ghost

There are several mentioned throughout the story, such as the Rising Sun Lubricator, which Hiram Otis asks Sir Simon to use to oil his chains. These tinctures represent invention, novelty, and Americanness. The fact that Sir Simon initially opposes them, only to come to appreciate the Rising Sun Lubricator in Chapter Four, shows the traditionalist view of these new inventions and their impact, and how it must change and adapt.

Sir Simon’s ghost’s chains and gyves have both a literal and a figurative importance. Literally, they are the chains that were used to keep him restrained in the last days of his life. His brothers-in-law chained him so that he couldn’t get any food or water, and so he starved to death. Figuratively, they symbolize his being tied down by his sin of murdering his wife. He continues to wear them because over the three centuries that he haunts Canterville Chase, many more succumb to death due to his actions. 

Sir Simon’s ghost’s chains and gyves have both a literal and a figurative importance. Literally, they are the chains that were used to keep him restrained in the last days of his life. His brothers-in-law chained him so that he couldn’t get any food or water, and so he starved to death. Figuratively, they symbolize his being tied down by his sin of murdering his wife. He continues to wear them because over the three centuries that he haunts Canterville Chase, many more succumb to death due to his actions. 

The Garden of Death, what Sir Simon calls the cemetery in the church yard, is a place of peace for him. He longs to be at rest there, but is trapped as a specter at Canterville Chase until someone matching Virginia’s description in both physical and intangible qualities both cries for him and prays for forgiveness for his sins. 

After Virginia helps him, Sir Simon gives her a casket filled with jewels. These represent different things for different characters. For Hiram, they represent the English aristocracy. To Lord Canterville, they represent gratitude, not just on Sir Simon’s part, but on that of the whole Canterville family. For Virginia, they represent the beauty of death and love.