Structure

“The Model Millionaire” by Oscar Wilde is structured in three main scenes. The first takes place at the painter’s studio when Hughie meets the baron who looks like a beggar and gives him money. The second takes place at the club, where Hughie finds out the beggar is, in fact, a baron. The third is set at Hughie’s place, where he receives the envelope with the 10,000 pounds check from the baron, necessary for him to get married.

Point of view and narrator

The story is a third-person narration which focuses on the point of view of the protagonist: “He looked so forlorn and wretched that Hughie could not help pitying him, and felt in his pockets to see what money he had.” (p. 102, ll. 6-8)

However, we cannot say only Hughie’s point of view is used, as the narrator seems to be omniscient and clearly states his point of view on the story as well: “Unless one is wealthy there is no use in being a charming fellow. It is better to have a permanent income than to be fascinating.” (p. 99, ll. 1-3)

Furthermore, though the story is narrated in the third-person, we sense sometimes that the narrator addresses the readership directly. This is suggested through exclamations and certain direct address ...