"The Model Millionaire" by Oscar Wilde

 "The Model Millionaire" by Oscar Wilde is a short story that highlights themes of generosity, appearance versus reality, and the value of true wealth.  The story illustrates Wilde’s belief in the value of human kindness over wealth and mocks the rigid social norms of the time, where wealth and status often dictated relationships.

About the writer:

Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) was an Irish playwright, novelist, essayist, and poet, known for his sharp wit, flamboyant style, and brilliant use of satire. He was a leading figure in the aesthetic movement, which promoted the idea of "art for art's sake."

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Main Characters:

1. Hughie Erskine – A young, handsome, and good-natured man, but not wealthy. Despite being popular and charming, Hughie struggles to find stable employment and is living on a modest allowance.
2. Laura Merton – Hughie's beautiful fiancée. She loves Hughie, but her father, Colonel Merton, insists that Hughie must have £10,000 before they can marry.
3. Alan Trevor – A talented artist and one of Hughie’s close friends. He is well-off and is often commissioned to paint portraits.
4. Baron Hausberg – A wealthy baron and one of the richest men in Europe, who plays a surprising role in the story.

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Summary:

 The story begins with a description of Hughie Erskine, a charming but financially struggling young man. Wilde describes Hughie as handsome and kind-hearted, but without the means to support himself. Despite his pleasant personality, he is not particularly successful or ambitious, which causes him trouble, especially with his love life. Hughie is in love with Laura Merton, the daughter of a retired Colonel. However, Colonel Merton has made it clear that Hughie cannot marry Laura until he proves he can provide for her, which means having at least £10,000, a sum that seems far beyond Hughie's reach.

Hughie’s close friend, Alan Trevor, is a successful painter, and Hughie often visits Trevor’s studio to watch him work. One afternoon, Hughie stops by the studio and finds Trevor painting the portrait of a ragged old beggar. The beggar is dressed in tattered clothes and looks utterly destitute. Hughie feels sorry for the old man and, on an impulse, decides to give him a sovereign (a gold coin worth one pound), though he can hardly afford to give away money.

Hughie hands the coin to the beggar without telling Trevor, as he assumes the beggar needs the money more than he does.

Later that evening, Hughie is out with Trevor, and Trevor reveals a shocking truth. The beggar in the studio was not a real beggar at all. He was, in fact, Baron Hausberg, one of the wealthiest men in Europe, who had agreed to sit for Trevor's painting. Trevor finds Hughie’s impulsive act of generosity amusing, especially because Hughie had given a sovereign to a man who had immense wealth.

Hughie is mortified by the mistake, fearing that Baron Hausberg might think him foolish for his act. He leaves the gathering, deeply embarrassed, knowing that he can never take the sovereign back and worrying that he may have offended the powerful baron.

The next morning, a surprise awaits Hughie. A messenger arrives at his house with an envelope. Inside, Hughie finds a letter from Baron Hausberg and a check for £10,000. The baron’s letter expresses his admiration for Hughie’s generosity, noting that he had been touched by Hughie’s kindness in giving money to someone he thought was a poor man, even though he himself had little to spare. The baron, impressed by Hughie’s good heart, decided to repay his kindness by giving him the exact amount he needed to marry Laura.

Hughie is overjoyed. With this unexpected fortune, he now has the money required by Colonel Merton, and he can finally marry Laura.

The story concludes with Wilde's final comment, delivered in his signature witty style:

• Trevor remarks: "Millionaire models are rare enough; but model millionaires are rarer still!"

This humorous observation underscores the theme that while many people may aspire to wealth, true generosity and moral richness are qualities far less common.

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Themes:

1. Generosity and Kindness – Hughie's act of generosity, although small, leads to a life-changing reward. Wilde emphasizes that true kindness comes from the heart and that good deeds can sometimes yield unexpected returns.

2. Appearances and Reality – Wilde plays with the idea of appearances, as the "beggar" is actually a wealthy baron. The story warns against making assumptions based on outward appearances.

3. The Nature of Wealth – The story contrasts material wealth with moral richness, suggesting that true worth lies in generosity and compassion rather than money alone.

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