The story of model millionaire

Introduction:- Oscar Wilder's "The Model Millionaire"  Is a Short story that revolves around the plight of Highie Erskine, a charming but penniless and jobless young man, who wants to marry Laura Merton.

Though the two love each other, Laura's father will consent to the match only if Hughie can raise £10,000.

Author Description:-  The author of this story was "Oscar Wilde(1854-1900) was an Irish writer and poet born indubalin . Wilder's father was a doctor and his mother was a revolutionary poetess.his first and only novel,The picture of Dorian gray,was published in an American magazine in 1890 as a story.

summary:-The story concerns a young man who, although he doesn't have much money himself,is moved to pity by the sight of an elderly beggar who is posing as a modal for his artist friend. Although he can barely afford to do so, the young man gives the beggar the largest denominations coin that he has in his pocket .

Story begins here:-

-   The Hero of the story is a young man called Hughie Erskine. Hughie is handsome, charming and popular but he has been very unlucky as far as financial 

matters are concerned.

-   He was left nothing of any great value in his father's will. He has tried his hand at several different businesses, all of which have failed.

-   Having no job, Hughie's only source of income is two hundred pounds a year which is given to him by an elderly aunt.

-   Hughie goes to see his artist friend Alan Trevor. Hughie has fallen in love with a young woman named Laura Merton and she loves him in return.

-   Laura's father, Colonel Merton,is found of Hughie but,due to his poor financial prospects, he does not want the young man to marry his daughter.

-   He has often told Hughie that he will only allow him to get engaged to Laura after he has earned ten thousand pounds.

-   Hughie goes to see his artist friend Alan Trevor. He finds that Alan is painting a portrait of an old man who appears to be a beggar.

-   The old man is wearing a tettered (torn/broken) brown cloak and boots which have been mended (repaired) many times.

-   He has a rough walking stick in one hand. In the other hand,he is holding out an old hat as if to ask for money.

-   His face is heavily wrinkled and he looks extremely sad.

-   Both Alan and Hughie agree that the old man is an excellent subject for a painting.

-   Hughie, however, cannot help feeling sorry for the man.

-   He thinks it is unfair that , although Alan's paintings regularly sell for two thousand guinear(1 guinea=20 shillings),

he only pays his models one Shilling(20th 

Part of a pound) an hour to pose for him and does not give them a percentage of the money which makes from sales of their portraits.

-   When Alan leaves the room , Hughie looks in his pockets. He finds that the highest value of coin which he has is a sovereign (gold coin of the United Kingdom,equal to 1 pound)

-   Although it means they he will have to economize more than usual for the rest of the month , Hughie gives the coin to old man, Who appears very happy to receive

it. Hughie leaves soon afterwards.

-   Alan and Hughie meet up again later.The artist tells his friend that ,after he left he left, the old man asked several questions about him.Alan goes on to say that he told the old man all about Hughie, Laura Merton and the condition which Colonel Merton set that prevents their marriage.

-   Hughie is unhappy that his friend told "that old beggar" all about his private life.The amused Alan tells Hughie that the old man he was painting was Born Hausberg, one of the wealthiest men in Europe and someone who often busy Alan's paintings.

-   For reasons which Alan dose not really 

understand, the millionaire Baron had asked to be painted as a beggar.The tattered clothes he was wearing were supplied by Alan. Hughie feel ashamed about having given a coin to a millionaire,

although Alan tells him not to worry.

-    The following day,a representative of Baron Hausberg comes to Hughie's house

With an envelope.The writing on the envelope says that it contains a wedding present "from an old beggar".

-    Inside the envelope, Hughie finds a check for ten thousand pounds.

-    Hughie and Laura get married. Baron

Hausberg attends their wedding.

Central idea:-The story's focus on 

the ideas of the perception of class,beauty,wealth and generosity makes for a tale with a strong lesson for readers:that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and that wealth and generosity are not always inextricably linked.

WHY I LIKE THIS STORY:-The materialistic world and kindness do seem like contrasting ideas to put in one story,and logically they are, but in this story, it works.

The Model Millionaire by Oscar Wild is a lovely short story. it has the charm of wilder's writing and the message is subtly

Woven instead of being preachy.

Favourite part of the story:When love is win and Hughie and Laura get married.