The Canterville Ghost

Hiram B. Otis is an American minister who buys Canterville Chase from Lord Canterville. He represents American values, both the good ones and the dangerous ones. Some of the good values he represents include inventiveness, determination, and courage. On the other hand, he also represents fear of the Other when he suspects the gypsies of kidnapping his daughter without any evidence against them. 

Lord Canterville represents England, and specifically the aristocracy. He primarily calls to mind superstition and a reliance on the legalities of inheritance. When Hiram tries to give Lord Canterville the jewels Sir Simon’s ghost has given to Virginia, he tells Hiram that the jewels are not part of his inheritance because no one knew about them, so they’re not listed in any will.

Mrs. Otis, who prior to marriage was Miss Lucretia R. Tappan of West 53rd Street, had been lauded in New York City for her beauty. She has a healthy and robust constitution, despite the idea that it is fashionable for European ladies not to. She only falls ill when Virginia is missing for an entire day. She represents the boldness in American values, and also the self-sufficiency of women in America.