Podcast
Questions and Answers
In which year did 'The Model Millionaire' originally appear in print?
In which year did 'The Model Millionaire' originally appear in print?
- 1891
- 1887 (correct)
- 1890
- 1885
What is Hughie Erskine's annual income?
What is Hughie Erskine's annual income?
- $100
- $1000
- $500
- $200 (correct)
Why does Colonel Merton not want Hughie to marry Laura?
Why does Colonel Merton not want Hughie to marry Laura?
- Hughie is not well-educated
- Hughie is too old
- Hughie is not handsome
- Hughie has a poor financial outlook (correct)
What is the minimum amount of money Hughie needs to make to marry Laura?
What is the minimum amount of money Hughie needs to make to marry Laura?
What is Alan Trevor's profession?
What is Alan Trevor's profession?
What is the elderly man in the painting holding?
What is the elderly man in the painting holding?
What is the name of Hughie's love interest?
What is the name of Hughie's love interest?
What is the title of the anthology in which 'The Model Millionaire' was reprinted?
What is the title of the anthology in which 'The Model Millionaire' was reprinted?
What is the author's nationality?
What is the author's nationality?
How does Hughie feel about the elderly beggar?
How does Hughie feel about the elderly beggar?
Why does Hughie feel unfair about Alan's business practice?
Why does Hughie feel unfair about Alan's business practice?
What is the denomination of the coin Hughie gives to the elderly guy?
What is the denomination of the coin Hughie gives to the elderly guy?
Why does Baron Hausberg want to be painted as a beggar?
Why does Baron Hausberg want to be painted as a beggar?
How much money does Hughie receive as a wedding gift from Baron Hausberg?
How much money does Hughie receive as a wedding gift from Baron Hausberg?
Why can't Hughie and Laura get married initially?
Why can't Hughie and Laura get married initially?
What is true about Hughie?
What is true about Hughie?
What does the phrase 'Model Millionaire' refer to?
What does the phrase 'Model Millionaire' refer to?
Why does Hughie feel guilty?
Why does Hughie feel guilty?
Who tells Hughie that the elderly guy he met was Baron Hausberg?
Who tells Hughie that the elderly guy he met was Baron Hausberg?
What is the central theme of 'The Model Millionaire'?
What is the central theme of 'The Model Millionaire'?
Why was Hughie's relationship with Laura in jeopardy?
Why was Hughie's relationship with Laura in jeopardy?
What was Alan Trevor doing when Hughie visited him?
What was Alan Trevor doing when Hughie visited him?
Why did Hughie give the model a sovereign?
Why did Hughie give the model a sovereign?
Who did Hughie meet at the Palette Club later that evening?
Who did Hughie meet at the Palette Club later that evening?
What did Hughie learn from Alan at the Palette Club?
What did Hughie learn from Alan at the Palette Club?
Who sent Hughie a letter with a $10,000 check the following morning?
Who sent Hughie a letter with a $10,000 check the following morning?
What was the purpose of the $10,000 check?
What was the purpose of the $10,000 check?
Who spoke during the wedding breakfast?
Who spoke during the wedding breakfast?
What is the moral of the story according to the passage?
What is the moral of the story according to the passage?
What is the result of Baron Hausberg's actions in the story?
What is the result of Baron Hausberg's actions in the story?
What is the primary trait that allows Alan Trevor to achieve financial success from his art?
What is the primary trait that allows Alan Trevor to achieve financial success from his art?
What is the attitude of the wealthy towards romance and charm in the story?
What is the attitude of the wealthy towards romance and charm in the story?
What is the main characteristic of Hughie Erskine that sets him apart from others in the story?
What is the main characteristic of Hughie Erskine that sets him apart from others in the story?
What is the role of artists in society according to Alan Trevor?
What is the role of artists in society according to Alan Trevor?
What is the most important trait that Wilde suggests is necessary for a person to have in the story?
What is the most important trait that Wilde suggests is necessary for a person to have in the story?
What is the theme of 'The Model Millionaire' that is explored through the character of Hughie Erskine?
What is the theme of 'The Model Millionaire' that is explored through the character of Hughie Erskine?
What is the significance of the 'great truths of modern life' mentioned in the story?
What is the significance of the 'great truths of modern life' mentioned in the story?
What is the contrast between Hughie Erskine and Alan Trevor in the story?
What is the contrast between Hughie Erskine and Alan Trevor in the story?
What is the significance of the story's focus on the social function of artists?
What is the significance of the story's focus on the social function of artists?
What is the overall message of 'The Model Millionaire' about the relationship between appearance and reality?
What is the overall message of 'The Model Millionaire' about the relationship between appearance and reality?
Study Notes
"The Model Millionaire" by Oscar Wilde
Background
- The short story "The Model Millionaire" was written by Oscar Wilde and first published in The World in June 1887.
- It was later reprinted in the anthology Lord Arthur Savile's Crime and Other Stories in 1891.
Characters
- Hughie Erskine: the protagonist, a young, attractive, and well-liked man who is struggling financially.
- Laura Merton: the woman Hughie loves, who reciprocates his feelings.
- Colonel Merton: Laura's father, who does not want Hughie to marry his daughter due to his poor financial prospects.
- Alan Trevor: Hughie's artist friend, who is painting the elderly beggar.
- The elderly beggar: later revealed to be Baron Hausberg, one of Europe's wealthiest men.
Plot
- Hughie gives his last sovereign to the elderly beggar, who is posing as a model for Alan Trevor's painting.
- The beggar is revealed to be Baron Hausberg, who is amused by Hughie's kindness.
- Baron Hausberg sends Hughie a check for £10,000 as a wedding gift, allowing him to marry Laura.
- Hughie and Laura get married, with Alan Trevor as the best man and Baron Hausberg speaking at the wedding breakfast.
Themes
- The importance of kindness and generosity, even when one is struggling financially.
- The materialistic aspects of life, and how financial success can be used to benefit others.
- The contrast between Hughie's financial struggles and the wealth of Baron Hausberg.
Appearance vs. Reality
- In "The Model Millionaire," physical attractiveness is highly valued in late-19th-century London society, but it can be deceiving.
- Hughie Erskine's good looks make him widely admired, but he lacks brilliance and ambition.
- Alan Trevor, on the other hand, is an unattractive but brilliant artist who achieves financial success through his work.
Artists and Society
- The story explores the social function of artists and their responsibility in depicting the world around them.
- Alan Trevor believes that artists should depict the world "as they see it, not as they know it," suggesting that art is purely representational.
Generosity and Compassion
- The story highlights the importance of generosity and compassion as the most consequential traits a person can have.
- Hughie Erskine's tenderhearted nature is contrasted with the "great truths of modern life," which prioritize wealth and romance over other values.
- Hughie's charming and romantic nature allows him to subsist on a meager family allowance despite not learning these "great truths."
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Description
A brief summary of Oscar Wilde's short story 'The Model Millionaire', first published in 1887. The story revolves around a young man who is moved to compassion by an elderly beggar posing as a model for his artist friend.
