Friday, August 22, 2008

How did Virginia help the Canterville ghost to rest in peace?

At the end of Chapter Five, Virginia helps the ghost to rest eternally in the Garden of Death. She does this by accompanying him through a gap in the wall of the Tapestry Chamber and into the "black cavern." Though Wilde does not reveal the specific details of what Virginia does, we can infer what happened from the following four lines of the prophecy on the library window:



When a golden girl can win


Prayer from out the lips of sin,


When the barren almond bears,


And a little child gives away its tears.



In other words, Virginia prayed with the Canterville ghost for his redemption. She also cried to express his sorrow for all the crimes he has committed because he is physically unable to shed tears.


Evidently, Virginia is successful in her efforts to help the ghost and so the prophecy is fulfilled. In return for her assistance, she receives a box of jewels from the ghost and the family are able to bury his body.

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