DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH

YEAR 8

TOPIC: THE MODEL MILLIONAIRE BY OSCAR WILDE

The story in a nutshell

The story begins with an introduction to Hugh Erskine, affectionately known as Hughes. This guy is
so charming that he could pull your socks off, but otherwise, he is not very remarkable – neither
intellectually nor financially.
He lives on an annual allowance of two hundred pounds from his aunt. He was in love with a beautiful
woman named Laura Merton and wanted to marry her.
Laura’s father – a retired colonel, though he loved Hughes very much – would not hear of an
engagement until he had ten thousand pounds.
One day, on his way to the Mertons, he stopped to see his friend, a rather strange-looking fellow, but
a brilliant painter. His paintings were very much in demand.
Alan was busy painting a beggar when Hughie came into the studio.
Hughie instantly expressed his amazement upon seeing the model but felt really sad for the beggar
right after. He asked Alan if a model could make good money for a sitting, and was disappointed with
Alan’s answer.
Upon receiving a message that the Framemaker had come to see Alan, he quickly excused himself
asking Hughie not to go away. The beggar model took this opportunity to get himself some rest. He
looked so forlorn that Hughie’s heart filled with pity.
He searched in his pocket, found some money and thought the beggar needed it more than him,
quickly went to him and put it in the beggar’s hands. He had to walk home because of this
extravagance.
Later that evening he met Alan in a club. He learned that the model had expressed great interest in
learning more about Hughes and Laura.
Overcome with pity, he asked Alan if it was okay to give the beggar his old clothes. Alan laughed out
loud and told Hughes that the beggar was actually Baron Hausberg, who was one of the richest men
in Europe and had to come to Alan to make his own portrait.
Hughes was very embarrassed by the revelation and left shortly afterwards, leaving Alan in fits of
laughter.
The next day Baron Hausberg sent a messenger to Hughes. Hughes was convinced that this visit
was meant for him to apologize to Baron for this terrible mistake the other day.
Instead, the messenger brought him a sealed envelope.
One with a check for £10,000 in it.
On the outside was this message:
“A wedding present to Hugh Erskine and Laura Merton, from an old beggar.”
ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS.

Q1: What was Hughie’s financial status?

Ans: Hughie’s financial status was weak, with poor resources from his farms.

Q2: What condition was laid down by the colonel for Hughie’s marriage to his daughter?
Ans: The Colonel laid down the condition for Hughie’s marriage to his daughter that Hughie should
have ten thousand pounds, then this matter would be seriously considered.

Q3: Was Alan a good painter? What makes you think that?
Ans: Yes, Alan was a good painter. He was a real master of his art because his beautiful and perfect
pictures were eagerly sought after.

Q4: Describe the role of Colonel Martin in the story. Would you describe him as a negative
character or not? Why?
Ans: The role of Colonel Martin in the story was negative. He was a greedy, dishonest, unpleasant,
and proud person. He was a high-profile man but when he saw his thriving business of Hughie, he
quickly agreed to give his daughter’s hand in engagement but later when he came to know that
Hughie was a poor man, then he was trying to delay his marriage.

Q5: Draw the character sketch of Erskine Hughie in the story.

Ans: Hughie Erskine was a handsome and charming man. He was generous but unlucky in money.
He was a kind-hearted person towards other people.

Q6: Describe the climax of the story in your own words. Also, present a sketch of how you
would have ended the story, had you been the writer.
Ans: The climax of the story is when Hughie Erskine offers money to a beggar who turns out to be
one of the richest men in Europe. I would also have ended the story as the writer of this story had
ended it.

Q7: What is the theme of the story “The Millionaire”?

Ans: The theme of the story “The Model Millionaire” represents the materialistic aspect of life. It also
shows that one must have kindness in the heart as well. This story also shows and teaches us that
rich people must know the proper ways to expand their wealth to help other needy people. It will give
them spiritual satisfaction.

VOCABULARY
Find out the meaning of the following words and identify their parts of speech.
• Philanthropic
• Chuckling
• Patched
• Strolled
• Cobbled