THEMES

Wilde takes an American family and places them in a British setting. He creates stereotypical characters that represent both England and the USA satirizing the unrefined tastes of the Americans and the determination of the British to guard their traditions.
Wilde tends to reverse situations; the ghhost story is not told from perspective of the castle occupants, as in all traditional tales but from the perspective of the ghost. It is Sir Simond who faces adversity.
The Canterville Ghost is a parody of a traditional ghost story and also satirizes American materialism.
Besides the humorous tale, Wilde has a message: Virginia says that the ghost helped her see the significance of life and death.