The story “The Model Millionaire” by Oscar Wilde presents a moral tale about kindness, generosity, and the surprising consequences of one’s actions. Through these questions and answers, readers can better understand the story’s deeper themes, characters, and important moments.
The Model Millionaire Questions And Answers PDF:
Question: Who is the author of “The Model Millionaire”?
Answer: The author of “The Model Millionaire” is Oscar Wilde.
Question: What type of story is “The Model Millionaire”?
Answer: “The Model Millionaire” is a short story with a moral lesson.
Question: Who is the protagonist of the story?
Answer: The protagonist of the story is Hughie Erskine.
Question: How is Hughie Erskine described?
Answer: Hughie is a handsome and charming young man, but financially struggling.
Question: Who is Hughie’s closest friend in the story?
Answer: Hughie’s closest friend is Alan Trevor, a successful painter.
Question: What profession does Alan Trevor have?
Answer: Alan Trevor is a painter.
Question: Who was posing as a model for Alan Trevor’s painting?
Answer: An old beggar was posing as a model for Alan Trevor’s painting.
Question: What does Hughie give to the beggar?
Answer: Hughie gives a sovereign (gold coin) to the beggar.
Question: How does Hughie feel after giving money to the beggar?
Answer: Hughie feels pity and sympathy for the beggar after giving him money.
Question: What was the beggar’s true identity?
Answer: The beggar was actually Baron Hausberg, a wealthy millionaire.
Question: What is the twist in the story?
Answer: The twist is that the poor beggar is actually Baron Hausberg, a rich man.
Question: Why was Baron Hausberg dressed as a beggar?
Answer: Baron Hausberg was dressed as a beggar because he was modeling for Alan Trevor’s painting.
Question: What does Baron Hausberg do to thank Hughie?
Answer: Baron Hausberg sends Hughie a cheque for ten thousand pounds as a thank-you gift.
Question: Why is the cheque from Baron Hausberg significant?
Answer: The cheque is significant because it allows Hughie to marry Laura, fulfilling the condition set by her father.
Question: Who is Laura Merton?
Answer: Laura Merton is Hughie’s fiancée, the woman he wishes to marry.
Question: What was the condition set by Laura’s father for their marriage?
Answer: Laura’s father required Hughie to have ten thousand pounds before they could marry.
Question: How does Hughie react when he finds out the beggar’s true identity?
Answer: Hughie is shocked and embarrassed when he finds out that the beggar is actually a millionaire.
Question: How does Alan Trevor inform Hughie about the beggar’s identity?
Answer: Alan Trevor informs Hughie in a playful manner, amused by the situation.
Question: What lesson does the story convey about wealth and generosity?
Answer: The story conveys that true generosity comes from the heart, and one can be rewarded unexpectedly for acts of kindness.
Question: What is the significance of the title “The Model Millionaire”?
Answer: The title reflects the irony that a millionaire (Baron Hausberg) is modeling as a beggar, and also suggests that he is a model of generosity.
Question: How does Baron Hausberg’s generosity change Hughie’s life?
Answer: Baron Hausberg’s generosity allows Hughie to marry Laura and provides him financial security.
Question: What is the central theme of “The Model Millionaire”?
Answer: The central theme is kindness, charity, and how good deeds are sometimes rewarded in unexpected ways.
Question: How does Oscar Wilde use irony in “The Model Millionaire”?
Answer: Wilde uses irony by making the richest character in the story, Baron Hausberg, appear as a poor beggar.
Question: What role does art play in the story?
Answer: Art plays a significant role in bringing the characters together, as Baron Hausberg is modeling for Alan Trevor’s painting, which leads to Hughie’s act of kindness.
Question: How does Hughie’s act of kindness reflect his character?
Answer: Hughie’s act of kindness reflects his compassionate and generous nature, even though he is not wealthy.
Question: How is Baron Hausberg portrayed in the story?
Answer: Baron Hausberg is portrayed as a wealthy, yet humble and generous man who appreciates kindness.
Question: What does the sovereign represent in the story?
Answer: The sovereign represents Hughie’s generosity, as he gives it to the beggar without expecting anything in return.
Question: Why does Hughie feel embarrassed after learning the truth about the beggar?
Answer: Hughie feels embarrassed because he realizes he gave money to someone much wealthier than himself, which he found awkward and ironic.
Question: What does Alan Trevor’s reaction to Hughie’s gift tell us about his character?
Answer: Alan Trevor’s reaction shows that he is amused by Hughie’s naïveté but does not discourage his friend’s generosity.
Question: How does Wilde depict wealth in “The Model Millionaire”?
Answer: Wilde depicts wealth as something that does not define a person’s generosity or kindness, as seen in the contrasting characters of Hughie and Baron Hausberg.
Question: How is humor used in the story?
Answer: Humor is used through the ironic twist of a wealthy man posing as a beggar and Hughie’s innocent act of giving money to him.
Question: What kind of relationship do Hughie and Alan Trevor have?
Answer: Hughie and Alan Trevor share a close friendship, with Alan often teasing Hughie but ultimately respecting his kind nature.
Question: How does the story “The Model Millionaire” conclude?
Answer: The story concludes with Hughie receiving a cheque from Baron Hausberg, which allows him to marry Laura.
Question: What lesson does “The Model Millionaire” offer about appearances?
Answer: The story teaches that appearances can be deceiving, as the beggar was actually a millionaire.
Question: How does “The Model Millionaire” reflect the social values of its time?
Answer: The story reflects the Victorian era’s values of social class and wealth, while also challenging the idea that wealth defines a person’s worth.
Question: What does Baron Hausberg’s character reveal about true wealth?
Answer: Baron Hausberg’s character reveals that true wealth is not just about money, but also about kindness and generosity.
Question: Why does Hughie visit Alan Trevor’s studio?
Answer: Hughie visits Alan Trevor’s studio to see his friend’s latest work and to pass the time.
Question: How does Laura Merton feel about Hughie’s financial struggles?
Answer: Laura Merton loves Hughie despite his financial struggles, but they are unable to marry due to her father’s requirement.
Question: What role does Hughie’s generosity play in the story?
Answer: Hughie’s generosity sets the plot in motion, as his kind gesture to the beggar leads to the unexpected reward from Baron Hausberg.
Question: How is social class explored in “The Model Millionaire”?
Answer: Social class is explored through the interactions between the wealthy characters like Baron Hausberg and the less fortunate Hughie, emphasizing the difference in their financial status.
Question: Why does Wilde use a millionaire as the beggar in the story?
Answer: Wilde uses a millionaire as the beggar to highlight the irony of the situation and to challenge stereotypes about wealth and generosity.
Question: How does the story portray the concept of charity?
Answer: The story portrays charity as an act that should come from the heart, without expecting anything in return.
Question: How does Hughie’s financial situation affect his relationship with Laura?
Answer: Hughie’s financial situation prevents him from marrying Laura, as her father requires him to have a certain amount of money before they can wed.
Question: How is Baron Hausberg’s reaction to Hughie’s kindness significant?
Answer: Baron Hausberg’s reaction is significant because it shows that he values kindness over wealth, rewarding Hughie for his genuine gesture.
Question: How does the story reflect Oscar Wilde’s view on society?
Answer: The story reflects Wilde’s view that society often judges people by their wealth, but true worth is found in one’s character and actions.
Question: What is the moral of “The Model Millionaire”?
Answer: The moral of the story is that kindness and generosity are rewarded, sometimes in unexpected ways.
Question: Why is Hughie considered a “model” millionaire by the end of the story?
Answer: Hughie is considered a “model” millionaire because, despite his lack of wealth, he embodies the generosity and kindness that a true millionaire should have.
Question: What message does Wilde convey about generosity?
Answer: Wilde conveys that generosity is a valuable trait, and even small acts of kindness can lead to great rewards.