In the beginning of the story the canterville ghost appears to be a wicked, manipulative, ill-behaved and inconsiderate creature. His blood shot eyes, matted locks falling over his shoulders and tattered clothes give him a very shabby appearance. With heavy rusted chains hanging from his wrists and ankles, he goes about making a clanking sound with the intention of frightening the new occupants of the canterville chase. Inconsiderate, as he is, he is not bothered about disturbing anybody's sleep. This egoistic creature is also very touchy. When Mr. Otis hands him over a lubricant, he feels highly insulted. In a fit of anger, he smashes the bottle of lubricant. His short-sightedness doesn't even let him consider that he might need it later, Full of vengeance, he kills his wife and drives a number of people to insanity and suicide. He takes a peculiar pride in such achievements. Later on, he also tries his level best to cut the Otises to size. However, towards the end of the story we get a glimpse of other face of the ghost. Depressed, disheartened and disappointed, he leads a lonely life as he sees no hope of his salvation. But after conversing with Virginia, realisation dawns upon him and he becomes very repentant for his wickedness. Later, with Virginia's help he is able to work out his deliverance.

Character Sketch of the Canterville Ghost:

The Canterville Ghost is a fascinating character in the novel "The Canterville Ghost" written by Oscar Wilde. He is a ghost that haunts Canterville Chase, an old English country house. Here is a detailed character sketch of the Canterville Ghost:

Appearance:
- The Canterville Ghost is described as a skeletal figure with hollow eye sockets and long, bony fingers.
- He wears a tattered white sheet, which is a traditional ghostly attire, and carries rusty chains that clank as he moves.
- His overall appearance is eerie and frightening, portraying the typical image of a ghost.

Personality:
- The ghost initially tries to fulfill his duty of haunting the house but is unsuccessful in scaring the new American residents, the Otis family.
- He is portrayed as a rather melodramatic and theatrical character, always trying to create a spooky atmosphere by making strange noises and appearing at unexpected moments.
- The Canterville Ghost is also shown to be easily frightened and lacks the traditional ghostly qualities of being fearless and powerful.
- Despite his efforts, he is unable to intimidate the Otis family, who are skeptical about the existence of ghosts and treat him with amusement and practical jokes.
- As the story progresses, the ghost's personality starts to evolve, and he becomes more despondent and melancholic due to his failure in haunting the house.

Backstory:
- The Canterville Ghost has a tragic past and is bound to haunt the house until his sins are atoned for.
- He was a notorious figure during his lifetime, known for his cruelty and wickedness.
- The ghost's haunting is a punishment for his past deeds, and he is doomed to remain in the house until he can fulfill his purpose.

Transformation:
- Over time, the ghost undergoes a transformation as he forms an unlikely friendship with Virginia, the young daughter of the Otis family.
- Virginia's kindness and understanding touch the ghost's heart, and he reveals his true identity and shares his sad story with her.
- Through this friendship, the ghost begins to experience a sense of redemption and finds solace in Virginia's compassion.

Conclusion:
The Canterville Ghost is a complex character whose initial attempts at haunting are comical and futile. However, through his relationship with Virginia, he undergoes a transformation and finds redemption. His character highlights the themes of forgiveness, empathy, and the power of human connection even in the supernatural world.