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The Bloodstain
The almond tree that blooms at the end of The Canterville Ghost symbolizes unlikely beginnings. Almond trees don’t really grow in England: they’re more adapted to hotter climates in the Mediterranean. So, it’s no real surprise that the Canterville’s almond tree has gone barren for so long. Its blooming, however, is surprising. As stated in the prophesy inscribed on Canterville Chase’s library window, the blooming almond tree signals Sir Simon’s final passing into eternal rest, thereby suddenly ending his three-hundred-year reign as the ghost of Canterville Chase. Now that Sir Simon has passed on, the blood-stained reminder of his crimes has been erased, and the aristocracy have vacated Canterville Chase, a new generation of people can come into power. This generation, marked by Virginia’s marriage to the Duke of Cheshire, is literally able to marry American egalitarianism with the better aspects of the British aristocracy—that is, they’re able to get around all of the stubborn struggles of the past and move forward together.
The Almond Tree Quotes in The Canterville Ghost
The The Canterville Ghost quotes below all refer to the symbol of The Almond Tree. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
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Chapter 5 Quotes
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,
Then shall all the house be still,
And peace come to Canterville
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Explanation and Analysis:
This is the prophecy written in the Canterville library that foretells Virginia’s coming and Sir Simon’s long-awaited salvation. Virginia recites it to Sir Simon after he asks if she’s seen it. The poem has had to remain quiet hitherto, because the reference to a “golden girl” would have made the novella’s ending far too obvious, especially given the foreshadowing implied by Virginia’s crying over her lost paints. Note well that it requires action on the part of three participants. First, it requires that Virginia give away her tears. Secondly, it requires that Sir Simon allow prayers to escape from his Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum volu
Chapter 6 Quotes
“Hallo!” suddenly exclaimed one of the twins, who had been looking out of the window to try and discover in what wing of the house the room was situated. “Hallo! The old withered almond-tree has blossomed. I can see the flowers quite plainly in the moonlight.”
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Looking out from Sir Simon’s death chamber, the twins notice that the almond tree has bloomed and announce it to the family. Virginia shortly after declares that God has forgiven Sir Simon. While this symbol does metaphorical work in the sense that only God could make the almond tree bloom, it serves a practical purpose as well. Once Sir Simon has passed on to the next life, he will be unable to communicate with Virginia to let her know that she has succeeded in her efforts to find salvation for him. The device of the almond tree allows the girl Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptat
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The Almond Tree Symbol Timeline in The Canterville Ghost
The timeline below shows where the symbol The Almond Tree appears in The Canterville Ghost. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 5
...pray for the forgiveness of his sins. If it works, she’ll know, because an old almond tree on the property will bloom.
(full context)
Chapter 6
...and allowed him to rest at last. The twins confirm this when they notice the almond tree blooming.
(full context)
