Question

Character sketch of twins in Otis family

Answer 1

In "The Canterville Ghost," the twins are the youngest children of Mr and Mrs Otis. Nicknamed 'The Stars and the Stripes,' they quickly become the nemesis of Sir Simon, the Canterville ghost, because they delight in playing tricks on him. This occurs first in Chapter Two when the twins throw pillows at the ghost as he runs down the corridor to escape Mr Otis. Later, in Chapter Three, for example, the twins humiliate the ghost by using their pea-shooters on him. In another scene, in Chapter Four, the twins outwit him by constructing a slide from the entrance of the Tapestry Chamber to the top of the staircase. Unaware of its presence, the ghost slips on the slide and injures himself in the process.

But the twins have a sentimental side, too. When Virginia goes missing in Chapter Six, for instance, the twins join the search to find her. At dinner, they are described as being "awestruck" and "subdued" by her absence because of their fondness for her. So, while their love of mischief and playing jokes on the ghost is at the forefront of their portrayal, it is important to remember that they are affectionate and caring characters, too. They are overjoyed at their sister's sudden reappearance, for example, and, together, they all attend the ghost's funeral, a serious affair with no mention of tricks or pea-shooters.