The Model Millionaire
Author: Oscar Wilde
Class: XI – General English
Book: A Panorama of Life
Part C: Lessons for Extensive Study
Comprehension Questions
I. Answer the following questions briefly.
1. What qualities made Hughie Erskine popular with men and women?
Hughie was handsome, charming, cheerful and generous. These qualities made him popular with men and women.
2. Hughie was unable to settle down in a profession because he was unwilling to work (Yes/No). If no, what was the reason?
No. He tried several professions but lacked the practical ability to succeed in them.
3. What condition did the Colonel lay down for letting Hughie be engaged to Laura?
Colonel Merton insisted that Hughie must earn ten thousand pounds before marrying Laura.
4. Why did Alan Trevor like Hughie so much as to let him visit his studio whenever he wanted?
Alan Trevor liked Hughie for his handsome appearance, cheerful nature and friendly manner.
5. Why did Hughie think that Trevor’s model was an amazing one? Did Trevor think highly of his model? How do you know?
Hughie was amazed by the old man’s miserable appearance. Trevor admired him as an artistic model and compared him to a painting by Velázquez.
6. “He got a charming scolding for his extravagance.” Who scolded Hughie? Why? Why is the scolding described as charming?
Laura scolded Hughie for giving his sovereign to the beggar. The scolding was charming because it showed her affection and concern for him.
7. Why did Trevor think that Hughie had made a deep impression on his “old model”?
The old model showed unusual interest in Hughie’s life and financial circumstances. Trevor believed Hughie had made a strong impression on him.
8. Did his model behave differently from what Trevor had thought of him? If differently, how?
Yes. The model, Baron Hausberg, was deeply touched by Hughie’s generosity and rewarded him with ten thousand pounds.
9. How was Baron Hausberg both a millionaire model and a model millionaire?
He was a millionaire model because he was a rich man posing as a beggar. He was a model millionaire because he generously rewarded Hughie’s kindness.
II. Answer the following questions in detail.
10. (i) Give in your own words a pen-portrait of Baron Hausberg.
Baron Hausberg is an extremely wealthy man who appears in the story disguised as a poor beggar. Despite his immense wealth, he shows generosity and sympathy towards others.
- A wealthy man: Baron Hausberg is one of the richest men in Europe. He owns houses in different capitals, dines from gold plates and has considerable influence.
- An unusual artistic model: He commissions Alan Trevor to paint him as a beggar. He willingly wears old, ragged clothes and poses on a platform in the artist’s studio.
- Humble in appearance: Disguised as a beggar, he looks weak, miserable and poor. His wrinkled face, patched boots and torn clothes make him a convincing model.
- Observant and curious: After Hughie gives him a sovereign, the Baron becomes interested in learning about the young man’s identity, income and prospects.
- Kind and generous: The Baron is deeply touched by Hughie’s kindness. He arranges to send Hughie a cheque for ten thousand pounds as a wedding present.
- A compassionate millionaire: Rather than ridiculing Hughie for mistaking him for a beggar, the Baron rewards his generosity and helps him marry Laura.
Thus, Baron Hausberg is not merely a wealthy man but a compassionate human being. His conduct shows that true greatness lies in generosity and kindness rather than wealth alone.
10. (ii) What impression do you form of Hughie’s character?
Hughie Erskine is the central character of Oscar Wilde’s story. He is handsome and good-hearted, but he lacks the practical ability to earn a living.
- Good-looking and charming: Hughie has attractive features and a pleasant personality. He is popular with both men and women.
- Cheerful and friendly: He has a bright and buoyant spirit. His pleasant nature makes him a good friend to Alan Trevor.
- Unsuccessful professionally: Hughie tries several occupations, including working on the Stock Exchange and selling tea and sherry. However, none of these ventures succeeds.
- Poor but romantic: Hughie is in love with Laura Merton, but he cannot marry her because Colonel Merton insists that he must first earn ten thousand pounds.
- Generous and compassionate: When he sees the old beggar-model looking miserable, Hughie feels genuine sympathy for him and gives him his only sovereign.
- Modest and sensitive: When he learns that the beggar is actually Baron Hausberg, Hughie feels embarrassed and worries that he has made a fool of himself.
- Rewarded for kindness: Hughie’s generosity touches the Baron, who gives him ten thousand pounds as a wedding present.
In conclusion, Hughie may be impractical and financially unsuccessful, but his kindness and generosity are his greatest qualities. The story shows that a good heart can bring unexpected rewards.
10. (iii) How and why did Hughie oblige the old beggar?
Hughie obliged the old beggar by giving him a sovereign out of genuine sympathy for his miserable condition.
- The meeting: Hughie visited his friend Alan Trevor’s studio and found him painting an old man dressed in torn and patched clothes.
- The sight of poverty: The old man looked weak, miserable and helpless. His ragged cloak, patched boots and battered hat made Hughie feel sorry for him.
- A feeling of compassion: Hughie believed that the old man needed money much more than he did. Although he had very little money himself, he could not ignore the beggar’s suffering.
- The act of generosity: Hughie found a sovereign and a few coppers in his pocket. He decided to give the sovereign to the old man, even though doing so meant he would have to walk home instead of hiring a cab.
- The beggar’s response: The old man was startled by the unexpected gift. A faint smile appeared on his face, and he thanked Hughie sincerely.
- The unexpected reward: Hughie later discovered that the beggar was Baron Hausberg, a millionaire posing for a painting. Touched by Hughie’s kindness, the Baron sent him a cheque for ten thousand pounds as a wedding present.
Thus, Hughie helped the old man because he was compassionate and generous. His act was spontaneous and selfless, and it ultimately changed his life.