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Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde (16 October 1854 – 30 November 1900) was an Irish playwright, poet and author of numerous short stories and one novel. Known for his biting wit, he became one of the most successful playwrights of the late Victorian era in London, and one of the greatest celebrities of his day. Several of his plays continue to be widely performed, especially The Importance of Being Earnest. As the result of a widely covered series of trials, Wilde suffered a dramatic downfall and was imprisoned for two years hard labor after being convicted of "gross indecency" with other men. After Wilde was released from prison he set sail for Dieppe by the night ferry. He never returned to Ireland or Britain.

Introduction:

"The Canterville Ghost" was first published serially in 1887 in Court and Society Review, a magazine for the leisured upper classes. The story did not immediately receive much critical attention, and indeed Wilde was not viewed as an important author until the publication, during the 1890s, of his novel The Picture of Dorian Gray (1891) and of several well-received plays, including The Importance of Being Earnest (1895). In 1891, "The Canterville Ghost" was republished in Lord Arthur Savile's Crime, and Other Stories.

The collected stories were severely criticized by contemporary reviewers; early critics found Wilde's work unoriginal and derivative. More recently critics have celebrated Wilde's ability to play with the conventions of many genres. In "The Canterville Ghost," Wilde draws upon fairy tales, Gothic novels, and stories of Americans abroad to shape his comic ghost story. Though Wilde offers a comic treatment, he finds inspiration for Sir Simon's character in Alfred Tennyson's serious poem "Maud," as well as in the Romantic poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge's "Christabel." Critics also point to the possible influence of Henry James's Portrait of a Lady (1881) on "The Canterville Ghost."

Wilde used a myriad of comic sources to shape his story. Thomas De Quincey's "Murder Considered as One of the Fine Arts," a satirical essay, is one apparent source. Wilde would also have been aware of Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey (1818), a parody of the Gothic novel so popular in the early nineteenth century. Finally, Wilde's own experience on the lecture circuit in the United States undoubtedly helped him ridicule stereotypical American behaviour. Indeed, one of the major themes in the story is the culture clash between a sixteenth-century English ghost and a late nineteenth-century American family. But the story also examines the disparity between the public self and the private self, a theme to which Wilde would return again in his later writings.

Characters

1. Mr. Hiram B-Otis : the American Minister he is new owner of the Chase.

2. Mrs. Lucretia Otis a healthy middle aged woman.

3. Washington Otis : Mr. and Mrs. Otis's eldest son.

4. Miss Virginia E Otis : a little girl of fifteen.

5. The Twins Mr. and Mrs. Otis's youngest sons, called The Stars and Stripes

6. Lord Canterville : the former owner of Canterville chase

7. Mrs. Umney : the house keeper of Lord Canterville.

8. Duke of Cheshire : a young friend of family.

9. The Ghost Sir Simon de Canterrville's guilty spirit.

Summary of the novel:

Mr. Hiram B. Otis, an American Minister wished to purchase Canterville chase though his friends warned his against buying the haunted house soon after moving into the Canterville chase, Mrs. Otis noticed a blood-stain on the floor near the fire place. However, the Otis reiterated that they were not afraid of the ghosts. The next morning the blood stain was found again. The family decided to go out for a drive to distract their minds. They avoided any mention of super natural in their conversation. Even when the ghost appeared before the Otis, he was taken a back at the unexpected reactions of members of the Otis family. The ghost got furious and decided to take revenge. The Otis decided to take revenge. The Otis family was amused on noticing that the blood stain kept changing colour. Only person who did not joke was little Virginia who felt depressed to see that after the second encounter with the family, the Ghost was exasperated and fled to this room, injured and in pain. All efforts of the ghost to scare the family were wasted. The ghost decided to retire and take a break. The Otis twins still played their tricks on him. This was when he decided to teach a lesson to the twins, giving them the fright of their lives. The ghost become dejected and gave up all hope of frightening the Otis family. The ghost had become dejected and gave up all hope of frightening the Otis family. The ghost had become an invalid and made no appearance.

However, he was excited to discover his distant connection with Duke of Cheshire. In order to show his relation he planned to appear before Virginia's lover but his fear of the twins forbade him to otis out. On meeting the ghost Virginia broke the news to him about the twins going back. The ghost confided in Virginia about his wife being careless in repair work and horrible at cooking. The ghost pleaded before Virginia to weep and prays for him so that the angle of death would show mercy on him. Virginia agreed to help and pray for the ghost.

Virginia's consequent disappearance became a cause of concern and worry for the Otis family. Duke of Cheshire accompanied Mr Otis in his search for Virginia. Mr Otis was touched by the Duke's concern for his daughter. At midnight, Virginia appeared mysteriously and to everyone's surprise said that she had been with the said ghost. She told them that ghost was dead. Four days later, a funeral procession was held Virginia's eyes were full of tears. She was told to keep the box of jewels gifted to her by the ghost. Following her marriage with the Duke of Cheshire and their honeymoon, Virginia visited the grave and strewed lovely roses on it. She told her husband that Sir Simon made her see "what life is and what death signified and why love is stronger than both."

Summary of the first chapter

Mr. Otis, an American Minister, buys a property in England called Canterville Chase, against the advice of his friends and the owner himself, Lord Canterville, who assures him that it is haunted. Lord Canterville's family has chosen not to live there because of the ghost. His grandaunt never recovered from her fright caused by two skeleton hands grabbing her shoulders. Mr. Otis says that he does not believe there is such a thing as a ghost, and says he will take the house and the ghost if it does indeed come with it. Lord Canterville replies that the ghost's existence has been well known since 1584, and always appears before the death of a member of his family.

A few weeks later, when the purchase is complete, the family moves into Canterville Chase. Mr. Otis is accompanied by his wife, who is a good-looking woman of good health, and their four children. The eldest is a son named Washington, a handsome, sensible young man who is also good at dancing. Virginia is the only daughter, and is fifteen years old. She is "lithe and lovely" and an accomplished rider. She even beat the young Duke of Cheshire in a race, and he was so impressed by her he proposed to her. The youngest children are the twins, otherwise known as the "stars and stripes" because they are always being switched for their mischievousness.

The Otises have a lovely drive to their new property, seeing squirrels, rabbits and birds along the way. However, as they approach Canterville Chase, the sky becomes dark, and everything is very still. The housekeeper, Mrs. Umney, greets them and tells them about the bloodstain on the library floor when asked by Mrs. Otis. She tells them that the stain mysteriously cannot be removed, and is the blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville who was murdered there by her husband, Sir Simon, in 1575. Sir Simon lived for another nine years, but then mysteriously disappeared. His body was never found, but his ghost haunts the house. Washington says her story is nonsense, and proceeds to remove the stain with stain remover. There is a clap of thunder and Mrs. Umney faints. When she awakes, Mrs. Umney warns the Otis' to be wary because she has seen the truth of the ghost's existence, and has spent many sleepless nights in the house. All of the Otises, however, state that they are not afraid of ghosts.

Characters:

The ghost: The ghost of the castle for centuries. He was Sir Simon de Canterville and died in 1584, his spirit still haunts the Chase. His aspect is very terrible: “He is an old man, his eyes were as red burning coals, long grey hair fell over his shoulders in matted coils, his garments, which were of antique cut, were soiled and ragged, and from his wrists and ankles hung heavy manacles and rusty gyves.”

Mr. Otis: The father of the Otis family. He is a middle-aged American minister; he is determinated, inflexible, rational, practical and pragmatic, in conclusion a true American. In fact at the beginning he believes that the ghost doesn’t exist, then, when he personally meets him, he is indifferent: he has more important things to do, making money, for example.

Virginia: “She is a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a fawn, and with a fine freedom, in her large blue eyes. She is a wonderful amazon. In respect to her family she is kind and with weling heart.” The daughter is the only one in the family who is scared by the ghost. She never speaks except to the ghost, at the end of the story.

Washington: the Otises' oldest son; “he is a fire-haired rather cood-loooking young man; gardenias and peerage are his only weaknesses.”

The twins: “they are usually called The stars and stripes, they are delightful boys and the only true republicans of the family.” These children always play tricks on the ghost and make him depressed and desperate. All  along  the story, they imagine jokes and even dress up as ghosts.

Mrs Otis:  The mother isn't scared of the ghost and even asks him if he wants a remedy for his stomach. “She is a very handsome middle-aged woman with fine eyes and a superb profile. She has a magnificent constitution and a wonderful amount of animal spirits.”

Duke of Chesire: “He is a handsome young scapegrace” desperately in love with the fifteen-year old Virginia Otis. However, his guardians pack him off to Eton, and he must wait to marry. When Virginia vanishes, he insists on being part of the search party. As soon as she reappears, he smothers her with kisses. His devotion is rewarded, and Virginia consents to become the Duchess of Cheshire.

Lord Canterville: A respectable descendent of the Canterville family, that was the owner of the Canterville Chase. “He is an English men of the most pounctilious honour.”

Mrs.Umney: the old house-keeper of Canterville Chase is very terrified by the ghost and tries to warn the family.

DEAR STUDENTS ALL THE BEST FOR YOUR UNIT TEST .... 

Poster Designing

Main features

(i)  Layout

• Eye catching and visually attractive
• A catching title
• Sketch or simple drawings
• Letters of  different size & shape
• Proportionate sparing etc.

(ii) Content

• The theme or subject of the poster
• Essential details like time, venue and date in case of an event
• Name(s) of the issuing authority, organizers etc.

(iii) Expressions

• The overall organization and sequencing of the matter
• Appropriate and accurate language
• Creativities

Sample 1.

Q. Design a poster against the ill-effects of plastic on the environment.

SAY NO TO PLASTICS ·         Non-Biogradable ·         Burning causes air pollution ·         Dumping polybags pollutes environment ·         Toxic chemicals cause lung cancer Instead use                                 Paper bags / jute bags / cloth bags                                                              PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT                                                                                   STAY HEALTHY                                                                                                        Issued By:   President, Environment Club, DAV Public School, Delhi

Advertisement

v  Marking scheme (format – 1 , content –2 , Expression-2 )

v  Types-

a)      Classified advertisement

b)      General advertisement

v  Some of the classified advertisement are:

a)      Situation vacant

b)      Situation wanted

c)       Matrimonial

d)      Lost & Found

e)      For sale and purchase of property / vehicle / house hold goods etc.

f)       To Let

g)      Missing persons / pet animal

h)      Travel and Tours

v  Main characteristic of classified advertisement

a)      Categorized into column according to different classes.

b)      Space, more economical

c)       Written in short phrases and words

d)      Language simple and concise

v  Model classified advertisements and essential details:-

v  Situation vacant

·         Begin with ‘wanted’ or ‘Required’

·         Name of the company, post and no of vacancies

·         Age and sex of the candidate

·         Qualification and experience

·         Other details

·         Pay scale and perks

·         Mode of applying

·         Contact address and phone no.

Situation Vacant Wanted a smart, confident PA/Stenographer for a leading export house. Qualification graduate, age 25-30 yrs, typing speed 40 w.p.m. Preference to those who can handle computer. Salary negotiable. Apply with complete Bio-data upto 15-12-2006 to Secretary, Orient Export House, M. H. Nagar, Chennai – 670001

Situation Wanted  A first class B Tech civil Engineer from Calicut university seeks a job in or around cochin. Presently working with a private firm in Calicut. Salary expected 25000. Please contact. Rajesh Kumar – Shastri Nivas- Kannur (Dt.) Phone 0497 - 2786003

v  Matrimonial

·         Mention groom / bridge groom

·         height, age, caste, religion, complexion, educational qualifications

·         Phone number / post box no. and name of news paper.

Bridegroom Wanted Alliance invited for Ramgarhia, Sikh Girl 29/165, M. A. English, tall, fair & beautiful. Caste no bar. Send recent photo & biodata. Ph. 0497 – 2788330. Box No. 1015 – B Indian Express COCHIN – 650337

v  Lost and Found

·         Begin with ‘lost ’  or ‘found’

·         Specify item

·         Brief physical description.

·         When / where lost or found.

·         Reward if any

·         Contact address and phone no.

Lost and Found Lost a black coloured VIP suitcase model no 555, 38 x 30 contain important documents related marketing, left in bus no. DL-p 6778 on Delhi to Jaipur route on 10thy November 2006. Kindly contact Purmal Singh Ph No. 9419284539

   For sale

·         with for sale/purchase etc

·         Type of accommodation / vehicle /article / household items.

·         Brief physical description

·         Contact address & phone number.

Car for Sale For sale Maruti 800 DX, 2000, white, sparingly used, scratch less, self driven, stereo-fitted, beautiful upholstery, excellent condition, no expense, rate Negotiable. Contact Amit Sharma , 25677900

v  To Let

·         Begin with ‘wanted’ or ‘Available’

·         Type of accommodation

·         Brief description

·         Rent expected

·         Contact address & phone no.

To Let Available on rent Anand Vihar Colony First Floor 2/3 bedroom, well furnished and ventilated, facing Park, car Parking, walking distance from main market. Reasonable rent. Contact. H. R. Meena 1A /23, Anand Vihar 278810017

v  Missing person/pet animals

·         being with ‘missing’

·         brief physical description;

·         four person- name, age, height complexion, built, clothes and other identifying features

·         for pet-name, age, colour of  fur and other identifying feature

·         since when/ from where missing

·         Reward

·         Contain address and phone no.

Missing Person Missing a boy, Santosh Kumar, 15 years, 5’5”, fair slim built wearing black t-shirt and white paints, since 10-11-2006 from Kota railway station. Finder will be duly rewarded. Inform Kota police station phone no. 0744-220010 or A.K. Sharma H.B road Kota phone no. 0744-220007

v  Travels and Tours

·         Being with’ package available’ etc

·         Name of travel agency

·         Destination and duration

·         Details of package-food/ boarding/lodging/sightseeing etc

·         Cost and discount if any.

·         Contact address and phone no.

Travel and Tours  Attractive package available for Manali and Ooty, 5 nights/4 days, breakfast and dinner, stay at 5 star hotels, sight-seeing included. Rs 10000 per head. Special discount for booking till 10th November 2006. Contact blue star travel and tours. Chennai.  044-288000555

v  Commercial advertisement

v  Main characteristics:

·         Designed for commercial purpose

·         More space, more expensive in terms of the advertising cost.

·         Visually attractive with catchy slogans/ with expression and pictures or sketches

·         Varying font size or shape

·         Language; colourful and lucid..

·         Proportionate spacing with appealing overall arrangement

v  Essential details:

·         Name of the company/ institute/organizers etc

·         Detail regarding products/event/ educational course etc

·         Special offer or discount if any

·         Address of the company/institute/organizer etc

v  Example:

SALE        Hurry !  Up to 50% discount Shoes & slippers Rush----------------------today TATA FOOTWEAR                                GLORY Market- JAIPUR