What is the theme of Model Millionaire

The model millionaire - Oscar Wilde

The model millionaire is a short story written by Oscar Wilde in 1871. The theme of the short story deals with a very materialistic aspect of life in a mercantile world in which the protagonist Hughie Erskine is a complete misfit. Despite of the attractive appearance and charming personality, his lack of money prohibits him from marrying the girl he loves - Laura. Her father demands a total of £10.000 to prove his worth to him and accept him as a son in law. The demand is only of economical character, because of the fact that Hughie quick and easily achieved the acceptance of the father as a person. This issue defines the very essence of the short story, of which it becomes clear that "romance is the privilege of the rich, not the profession of the unemployed." But is that so in the real, contemporary world? Is love only appropriate in the world of the privileged or is it achievable for anyone? This attitude is quite an old fashion way of thinking which is very appropriate of the time period in which the text is written and so the modern man would probably controvert the statement. A controversy claiming that love is a spirit with ability to posses anyone and so the modern expression "Love is for everyone" manifests itself.

A second theme in the short story is represented in terms of kindness. It is expressed to its fullest that being kind pays out in the end. Hughie shows his kind side when he generously offers the 'beggar' his last money (a sovereign), ignorant to that fact that he is actually a rich baron. This generous gesture turns out to be of huge importance as it forms the basis for the Baron to sponsor the money required. This emphasizes that even in a thoroughly materialistic world, tender qualities and human values are not to be dispensed. This detail comes to be quite important because it reminds the reader of the ...

Appearance, generosity, friendship, gratitude, love, compassion, charity, commitment, connection, struggle and happiness.