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.
- 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:
- Hughie
Erskine: A young, handsome, and charming
man who is financially poor. He represents the struggle of maintaining
dignity and integrity despite financial hardship.
- Laura
Merton: Hughie's beloved, the daughter of
a retired Colonel. Her character symbolizes love that transcends social
and financial barriers.
- Alan
Trevor: A successful artist and Hughie’s
friend, he represents the world of art and the bohemian lifestyle.
- 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:
- 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.
- 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:
- Appearances
vs. Reality: The beggar’s disguise as one of
the richest men in Europe underscores the idea that appearances can be
deceiving.
- 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.
- 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
- Summarize the main events of "The Model
Millionaire." What is the central conflict of the story?
- How does Hughie Erskine's financial situation
affect his relationship with Laura Merton?
- Describe the setting of Alan Trevor's studio.
How does it contribute to the overall atmosphere of the story?
- How is Hughie Erskine characterized in the
story? What are his main traits and motivations?
- In what ways is Alan Trevor a foil to Hughie
Erskine? How do their perspectives on life and art differ?
- What does Baron Hausberg's disguise as a beggar
reveal about his character? Why do you think he chooses to pose as a
beggar?
- What role does Colonel Merton play in the
story, and how does his attitude towards Hughie affect the plot?
- Discuss the theme of appearances versus reality
in "The Model Millionaire." How does Wilde use the characters
and plot to explore this theme?
- What message does the story convey about the
nature of true wealth? How is this message illustrated through the actions
of the characters?
- How does Hughie's act of generosity ultimately
impact his life? What moral lesson can be drawn from this outcome?
- Identify and discuss the use of irony in the
story. How does Wilde use irony to enhance the narrative?
- How does Wilde use imagery to create vivid
descriptions of characters and settings? Provide specific examples from
the text.
- 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?
- Do you think Hughie would have acted
differently if he had known the beggar's true identity? Why or why not?
- In what ways does "The Model Millionaire" critique societal norms and class distinctions of the time?
- Have you ever experienced a situation where someone’s appearance was deceiving? How did it affect your perception of that person?
- Do you agree with the idea that true wealth
lies in generosity and kindness? Why or why not?
- How would you react if you were in Hughie's position and discovered that the beggar you helped was actually a wealthy individual?
- Rewrite the ending of the story with a different outcome for Hughie. How would this change the story's message?
- 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.
- 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.
- “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?
