Pinkerton’s Champion Stain Remover (symbol)
The stain remover symbolizes the American philosophy of resolving problems in a pragmatic way, and placing trust in science and consumerism. The appearance of a mysterious bloodstain seems like it should be frightening, but the Otis family does not react with any emotion; they simply see the bloodstain as an obstacle that they can handle. They use the stain remover to respond to a challenging situation. The fact that the stain remover is mass-produced and marketed under a brand name also highlights the American philosophy of placing a lot of trust in consumer goods. They believe that money can be spent to buy the right thing, and that money can therefore solve most problems.
The box of jewels (symbol)
When Virginia returns from her mysterious disappearance, she has a box of jewels that she says Sir Simon gave her as a gift. The jewels symbolize Virginia's integrity and inner value, as well as her transition into adulthood. The kindness and courage she shows by helping the ghost reflect that she is a good person, and, more specifically, a good woman: the jewels offer an external manifestation of that virtue and inner beauty. The jewels also symbolize Virginia's connection to a different world and culture than the one she grew up in: her father is uncomfortable with her accepting jewels because he knows they symbolize the ideas of ancient tradition and hereditary wealth, which he is uncomfortable with as an American and self-made man. Virginia, however, is going to marry into that world, and the jewels symbolize the start of her transition into understanding it.
The blossoming of the almond tree (symbol)
When Virginia kneels down to pray next to Sir Simon's skeleton, an old almond tree located on the grounds of Canterville Chase suddenly blossoms. The tree bursting into bloom symbolizes the redemption of Sir Simon's soul: he is no longer doomed to restlessly wander as a ghost, and now he can pass into the afterlife and be at peace. The blossoming of the tree may also symbolize a change within Virginia: as a result of whatever she has experienced during her time with the ghost, she is no longer a child, and is now emotionally and spiritually prepared to transition into the role of wife and mother. The blossoming indicates maturity, fertility, and greater beauty.
The sale of Canterville Chase (allegory)
When Lord Canterville sells Canterville Chase to Mr. Otis at the start of the story, the sale functions as an allegory for the relationship between America and Europe at this time in history. With the rise of industrialization, urban growth, and new systems of economic distribution, many European aristocrats found they were no longer making much money off of their land and estates, but that they still had enormous expenses. On the other hand, the American economy was booming, and many men were able to acquire fortunes quite rapidly. What they lacked was the houses, antiques, and fancy possessions that typically symbolized someone's elevated status, and so they turned to Europe to travel and purchase items to bring home. The transaction between the two men—one of whom has a lot of history but no money, and the other of whom has lots of money but no heritage or traditions—symbolizes these types of interactions.
The bloodstain (symbol)
The bloodstain symbolizes tradition and continuity with the past. It has been appearing for more than 300 years and has become a well-known and notable feature of the house. Mrs. Umney is quite proud of the bloodstain, and she not only accepts that it cannot be changed, but she also does not actually want to disrupt something that has always been a certain way. The Otis family, on the other hand, does not feel this attachment to the past: they simply see the stain as an unpleasant inconvenience that can be resolved with the help of modern products.
