Brewster’s Millions · Chapter
Le Roi s’amuse explained
Montgomery Brewster moves his party to a hotel on the Riviera and orchestrates a private carnival for the town, spending lavishly to revive a local saint's day celebration.
What happens
Montgomery Brewster moves his party to a hotel on the Riviera and orchestrates a private carnival for the town, spending lavishly to revive a local saint's day celebration. During the carnival, he rescues Peggy from an aggressive masked reveler, deepening their connection. Later, at Monte Carlo, he tries desperately to lose money at the roulette table but instead wins forty thousand dollars, frustrating his goal of depleting his fortune.
Themes in this chapter
- The Absurdity of Wealth
Monty's extravagant plan to stage a private carnival and his desperate attempts to lose money at roulette highlight the absurd lengths he goes to in order to spend his fortune.
- Love and Sacrifice
Monty's rescue of Peggy at the carnival and his wish to win her respect by taking her advice, even at the cost of his gambling losses, underscores his deepening feelings for her.
Characters to notice
- Montgomery Brewster
Arranges a private carnival on the Riviera, spends extravagantly, rescues Peggy at the carnival, and gambles at Monte Carlo, winning $40,000 against his wishes.
- Peggy Gray
Protests Monty's spending, is frightened at the carnival and rescued by Monty, then implores him to stop gambling at Monte Carlo.
- Mrs. Dan DeMille
Skeptical of the carnival scheme but later urges Monty to continue gambling when his luck turns.
- Joe Bragdon
Sarcastically comments on Monty's carnival plans and later escorts Peggy back to the hotel.
- James T. Sedgwick
Participates in the carnival planning and later watches Monty's gambling at Monte Carlo.
- Reggy Vanderpool
Excited about wearing a mask at the carnival, gets into a fight as Punchinello, and is rescued by Monty.
Key passages
“Why not have another all to ourselves?”
Monty proposes staging a private carnival just for his party.
Shows Monty's impulsive and extravagant nature.
“Cash in when I'm away ahead of the game? Never!”
Monty refuses to stop gambling even when winning, because he wants to lose money.
Highlights Monty's ironic predicament of trying to lose his fortune.
“I wish I had taken your advice... it would have won me your respect.”
Monty tells Peggy he regrets not listening to her, valuing her respect over money.
Reveals Monty's emotional priority for Peggy's approval.
