Brewster’s Millions · Chapter
Monty Cristo explained
Montgomery Brewster leases a lavish $23,000 apartment and hires Paul Pettingill to redecorate, spending extravagantly while secretly making conditional purchases.
What happens
Montgomery Brewster leases a lavish $23,000 apartment and hires Paul Pettingill to redecorate, spending extravagantly while secretly making conditional purchases. He retains his rooms at Mrs. Gray's, sends out invitations for a grand dinner that scandalizes society, and enlists Mrs. Dan DeMille as his social mentor. The dinner, held on October 18th, features opulent decor by Pettingill, gold service, and Hungarian music, impressing the guests. Brewster keeps nightly accounts of his spending, aiming to maintain a high average, and acquires a $14,000 automobile for practice. His staff worries about his reckless spending, but he justifies it as repaying friends and enjoying his wealth.
Themes in this chapter
- Wealth and Extravagance
Brewster's $23,000 apartment, $2,500 redecoration, $14,000 automobile, and $3,000-a-plate dinner exemplify his unrestrained spending and luxurious lifestyle.
- Social Class and Status
Brewster's dinner invitations scandalize older society figures, while Mrs. Dan DeMille's involvement underscores the importance of social connections and reputation.
- The Absurdity of Wealth
Brewster's conditional purchases, gold service, and plan to buy a 'sensible' car after a $14,000 practice car highlight the irrational excesses of his fortune.
Characters to notice
- Montgomery Brewster
Leases a luxurious apartment, plans a lavish dinner, and keeps nightly expense accounts, showing his growing calculativeness and extravagance.
- Nopper Harrison
Leases the apartment for $23,000, saves $1,000 by paying in advance, and worries about Brewster's reckless spending.
- Paul Pettingill
Hired to redecorate rooms for $2,500, designs the dinner table and lighting, and advises against gold service.
- Mrs. Dan DeMille
Acts as social mentor and utility chaperon for Brewster's dinner, skillfully seating guests to ensure success.
- Elon Gardner
Holds receipts for moneys spent and reassures Harrison about Brewster's spending, comparing him to Monte Cristo.
- Joe Bragdon
Keeps an official report of Brewster's expenses.
Key passages
“I never saw a man who had less sense about money... Why, he spends it like a Chicago millionaire trying to get into New York society.”
Nopper Harrison thinks Brewster has no financial sense, spending like a nouveau riche trying to break into high society.
Highlights the theme of wealth and extravagance and the staff's concern over Brewster's spending.
“What's money for, anyway?”
Brewster rhetorically asks what the purpose of money is, justifying his spending as a way to repay friends.
Reflects Brewster's philosophy of wealth as a means for generosity and enjoyment.
“He's like a sailor in port... Money is no object if he wants a thing, and—damn it—he seems to want everything he sees.”
Harrison compares Brewster to a sailor on shore leave, spending without restraint on anything he desires.
Emphasizes the theme of the absurdity of wealth and the staff's frustration.
