The Model Millionaire - Oscar Wilde

 

The Model Millionaire – Oscar Wilde

Background

The story is set in late 19th-century England, a time when societal norms and class distinctions were particularly pronounced. Wilde, known for his wit and sharp social commentary, uses this story to explore themes of wealth, generosity, and human kindness.

Aarti Athavle

Setting:

The story takes place in London, with scenes in various locations that reflect the characters' social standings.

1. Alan Trevor’s Studio: The studio of Alan Trevor, a talented and successful artist, serves as a key setting where Hughie Erskine encounters the beggar model. This setting highlights the intersection of art, wealth, and social appearances.

Point of View

"The Model Millionaire" is narrated from a third-person omniscient point of view.

 

Characters:

1. Hughie Erskine: A young, handsome, and charming man who is financially poor. He represents the struggle of maintaining dignity and integrity despite financial hardship.
2. Laura Merton: Hughie's beloved, the daughter of a retired Colonel. Her character symbolizes love that transcends social and financial barriers.
3. Alan Trevor: A successful artist and Hughie’s friend, he represents the world of art and the bohemian lifestyle.
4. Baron Hausberg: One of the richest men in Europe, who disguises himself as a beggar. His character explores the themes of appearances versus reality and the true value of wealth.

Social Context:

1. Class Distinctions: The story highlights the rigid class distinctions of the time. Hughie’s financial struggles and his inability to marry Laura due to lack of wealth underscore the societal pressures and limitations imposed by social class.
2. Philanthropy and Generosity: Wilde critiques the superficiality of societal norms by showing that true kindness and generosity can come from unexpected places. The twist with Baron Hausberg reveals that real wealth is not just financial but also moral and emotional.

Themes:

1. Appearances vs. Reality: The beggar’s disguise as one of the richest men in Europe underscores the idea that appearances can be deceiving.
2. Generosity and Kindness: Hughie's spontaneous act of kindness towards the beggar, despite his own financial difficulties, serves as a central theme, ultimately leading to his reward.
3. Wealth and Value: The story questions the true value of wealth, suggesting that moral and emotional richness are more important than material wealth.

External Conflict:

1. Financial Struggle vs. Romantic Aspirations:

The primary external conflict involves Hughie Erskine’s financial difficulties and his desire to marry Laura Merton. Hughie is unable to marry Laura until he can provide a dowry of ten thousand pounds, as required by her father, Colonel Merton.

Resolution:

The conflict is resolved when Baron Hausberg, who turns out to be the wealthy benefactor, rewards Hughie’s kindness with the ten thousand pounds needed to marry Laura. This financial windfall allows Hughie to overcome his external struggles and marry Laura.

2. Societal Expectations vs. Individual Desire:

There is a broader societal conflict where societal norms dictate wealth is necessary for personal success and social acceptance. Hughie feels pressured by these expectations, as evidenced by the Colonel’s demand for a dowry.

Internal Conflict:

1. Hughie’s Self-Doubt and Insecurity:

Hughie experiences internal conflict regarding his self-worth and values. His lack of financial success leads to self-doubt and feelings of inadequacy, especially concerning his romantic aspirations and societal expectations.

2. Moral Dilemma and Generosity:

Hughie faces an internal conflict when deciding to give the beggar a sovereign despite his own financial constraints. This moral dilemma involves balancing his limited resources with his desire to act generously.

Resolution:

Hughie’s internal conflict about his self-worth and generosity is resolved when he receives the reward from the Baron. This resolution reinforces the idea that true wealth and personal value are found in kindness and integrity, rather than material wealth alone.

 

Plotline

Exposition:

Hughie Erskine is introduced as a handsome, charming young man who is financially poor. He is in love with Laura Merton, but cannot marry her until he has ten thousand pounds, as stipulated by her father, the retired Colonel Merton.

Rising Action:

 Hughie visits his friend, Alan Trevor, a successful artist, at his studio. Trevor is working on a portrait of a beggar. Hughie feels sorry for the beggar model, who looks old and destitute. In an act of kindness, he gives the beggar a sovereign, despite his own financial struggles.

Climax:

Later, Hughie learns from Trevor that the beggar is actually Baron Hausberg, one of the richest men in Europe, who enjoys posing for artists in his spare time. Hughie is embarrassed and worried about his impulsive act.

Falling Action:

The next morning, a messenger arrives at Hughie's house with an envelope containing a check for ten thousand pounds from Baron Hausberg. The Baron’s note explains that Hughie's generosity has not gone unnoticed and is now being rewarded.

Resolution:

With the financial support from the Baron, Hughie is now able to marry Laura. The story concludes with the reflection that true wealth lies in generosity and kindness and that sometimes appearances can be deceiving.

Literary Elements

Irony:

Irony is a prominent element in the story, especially situational irony, where the outcome is contrary to what was expected.

Example: The beggar, who Hughie believes to be poor and deserving of charity, turns out to be Baron Hausberg, one of the wealthiest men in Europe. This twist highlights the theme of appearances versus reality.

Symbolism:

Certain objects and characters in the story symbolize broader concepts.

Example: The sovereign that Hughie gives to the beggar symbolizes his generosity and the inherent value of kindness over material wealth.

Humour and Wit:

Wilde’s characteristic humour and wit are evident throughout the story.

Example: The witty banter between Hughie and Trevor, and the ironic twist at the end, reflect Wilde’s humorous style and his critique of societal norms.

Foreshadowing:

There are subtle hints that foreshadow the twist ending.

Example: Trevor’s amused reaction and cryptic comments about the beggar model hint that there is more to the beggar than meets the eye.

Hyperbole:

Example: “He could buy all London tomorrow without overdrawing his account…and can prevent Russia going to war when he chooses.”

Imagery:

Imagery involves using descriptive language to create vivid pictures in the reader's mind, appealing to the senses.

Example:

Visual Imagery:

Hughie: “He was wonderfully good-looking, with his crisp brown hair, his clear-cut profile, and his grey eyes. He was as popular with men as he was with women, and he had every accomplishment except that of making money.”

Alan Trevor: “he was a strange rough fellow, with a freckled face and a red ragged beard.”

Baron: “He was a wizened old man, with a face like wrinkled parchment, and a most piteous expression. Over his shoulders was flung a coarse brown cloak, all tears and tatters; his thick boots were patched and cobbled, and with one hand he leant on a rough stick, while with the other he held out his battered hat for alms.”

 

Characterization

Round Characters:

Round characters are complex and undergo development, often encountering changes or revealing multiple facets of their personalities.

Hughie Erskine:

• Round: Hughie is portrayed as a kind and generous individual, but he also struggles with financial insecurity and societal expectations. His embarrassment upon learning the true identity of the beggar and his subsequent reward showcase his multifaceted personality and his growth as a character.

Flat Characters:

Flat characters are simple and one-dimensional, often serving a specific purpose in the story without undergoing significant change or development.

Alan Trevor:

• Flat: Trevor is portrayed as a talented and somewhat cynical artist. His primary role is to provide a contrast to Hughie’s naivety and to facilitate the story’s main twist by revealing the beggar’s true identity. He remains consistent in his attitude and does not undergo any significant change.

Static Characters:

Static characters do not undergo significant change or development throughout the story. They remain consistent in their traits and behaviours.

Baron Hausberg:

Static: Although the revelation of his true identity as one of the wealthiest men in Europe is a twist, Baron Hausberg himself does not change. His generous and playful nature is consistent from the moment he is introduced (even in disguise) to the end when he rewards Hughie.

Colonel Merton:

Static: Colonel Merton, though not deeply explored in the story, remains a figure of traditional values and societal norms. His requirement that Hughie must have ten thousand pounds to marry Laura remains unchanged, reflecting his static nature.

Dynamic Characters:

Dynamic characters undergo significant internal changes over the course of the story, often as a result of the events they experience.

Hughie Erskine:

Dynamic: Hughie’s experience of learning the true identity of the beggar and receiving the unexpected reward leads to a significant change in his circumstances and his understanding of generosity and appearances. This marks his transformation from a struggling, naïve young man to someone who appreciates the deeper values of kindness and generosity.

Flat Characters

Laura Merton:

Flat: Laura is described as beautiful and beloved by Hughie, but she does not have a significant role or development in the story. Her character primarily serves to highlight Hughie’s motivations and aspirations.

 

Summary

The short story by Oscar Wilde centres on themes of generosity, appearances, and the value of kindness. Hughie Erskine, a handsome and charming young man, has tried various ways to make a living, including working as a stock trader and a merchant. Despite his good looks and charm, Hughie remains financially poor and unable to marry his love, Laura, until he has ten thousand pounds of his own. Although the retired Colonel likes and approves of Hughie, he insists that Hughie amass a wealth of £10,000 before giving his daughter’s hand in marriage.

One day, Hughie visits his friend Alan Trevor, a talented artist, at his studio. Trevor is painting a portrait of a beggar. The two friends discuss the beggar, and Hughie suggests that the model, who works as hard as the painter, should earn more. Feeling sorry for the beggar, who appears to be very old and poor, Hughie gives him a sovereign (a British gold coin worth one pound) despite his own financial difficulties, when Alan steps out to speak with the frame maker.

Later that night, Hughie learns from Trevor that the "beggar" is actually Baron Hausberg, one of the wealthiest men in Europe, who enjoys posing for artists in his spare time. Hughie is embarrassed by his mistake and feels foolish.

The next morning, a messenger arrives at Hughie's house with an envelope containing a check for ten thousand pounds from Baron Hausberg.

In the end, Hughie's generosity is rewarded, enabling him to marry Laura with financial support from the Baron. The story concludes by reflecting on the value of kindness and how true wealth lies in the generosity of spirit.

 

Practice Question

1. Summarize the main events of "The Model Millionaire." What is the central conflict of the story?
2. How does Hughie Erskine's financial situation affect his relationship with Laura Merton?
3. Describe the setting of Alan Trevor's studio. How does it contribute to the overall atmosphere of the story?

4. How is Hughie Erskine characterized in the story? What are his main traits and motivations?
5. In what ways is Alan Trevor a foil to Hughie Erskine? How do their perspectives on life and art differ?
6. What does Baron Hausberg's disguise as a beggar reveal about his character? Why do you think he chooses to pose as a beggar?
7. What role does Colonel Merton play in the story, and how does his attitude towards Hughie affect the plot?

8. Discuss the theme of appearances versus reality in "The Model Millionaire." How does Wilde use the characters and plot to explore this theme?
9. What message does the story convey about the nature of true wealth? How is this message illustrated through the actions of the characters?
10. How does Hughie's act of generosity ultimately impact his life? What moral lesson can be drawn from this outcome?

11. Identify and discuss the use of irony in the story. How does Wilde use irony to enhance the narrative?
12. How does Wilde use imagery to create vivid descriptions of characters and settings? Provide specific examples from the text.
13. What examples of hyperbole can be found in the story? How do these exaggerated statements contribute to the humour and overall tone of the narrative?

14. Do you think Hughie would have acted differently if he had known the beggar's true identity? Why or why not?
15. In what ways does "The Model Millionaire" critique societal norms and class distinctions of the time?
16.  Have you ever experienced a situation where someone’s appearance was deceiving? How did it affect your perception of that person?

17. Do you agree with the idea that true wealth lies in generosity and kindness? Why or why not?
18. How would you react if you were in Hughie's position and discovered that the beggar you helped was actually a wealthy individual?
19. Rewrite the ending of the story with a different outcome for Hughie. How would this change the story's message?

20. Create a character analysis chart for the main characters (Hughie, Alan, Baron Hausberg, Laura, and Colonel Merton) noting their traits, motivations, and development throughout the story.
21. Imagine a conversation between Hughie and Baron Hausberg after Hughie receives the check. Write a dialogue that explores their thoughts and feelings about the incident.
22. “Unless one is wealthy there is no use in being a charming fellow. Romance is the privilege of the rich, not the profession of the unemployed. The poor should be practical and prosaic. It is better to have a permanent income than to be fascinating.”

i.                    Do you agree with the statement that romance is a privilege of the rich and not a profession of the unemployed? Why or why not?

ii.                  What does the excerpt suggest about the relationship between wealth and personal charm?