Brewster’s Millions · Chapter
Fairyland explained
Monty, desperate to spend his remaining fortune, learns of a deserted villa on Lake Como owned by a reclusive marquise.
What happens
Monty, desperate to spend his remaining fortune, learns of a deserted villa on Lake Como owned by a reclusive marquise. After his initial offers are rejected, he secures the villa by adding a luxury automobile to his bid. The party moves into the idyllic estate, but tensions rise as Monty senses Peggy Gray is avoiding him. A confrontation during a moonlight ride ends with Peggy thrown from her horse, and Monty pleads with her not to leave.
Themes in this chapter
- The Absurdity of Wealth
Monty's escalating offers—from 50,000 francs to 100,000 francs plus a luxury automobile—to rent a deserted villa highlight the ridiculous lengths he goes to in order to spend his fortune.
- Love and Sacrifice
Monty's concern for Peggy's avoidance and his desperate plea for her to stay after her accident reveal his deepening emotional investment and fear of losing her.
Characters to notice
- Montgomery Brewster
Desperate to spend his remaining fortune, he orchestrates the acquisition of a fairy-tale villa on Lake Como and confronts Peggy about her avoidance.
- Peggy Gray
Deliberately avoids Monty, leading to a tense confrontation; she is thrown from her horse after a girth breaks.
- Paul Pettingill
Describes his dream villa on Lake Como, inspiring Monty's scheme; wanders in ecstasy once they arrive.
- Mrs. Dan DeMille
Praises Monty's inspiration for the villa and helps make the dinner gay during the moonlight ride.
- Bertier
Monty's ingenious courier who suggests bribing the marquise with an automobile to secure the villa.
- Subway Smith
Compares the villa to being shut in a closet and finding jam, likening it to owning Central Park.
Key passages
“I never before understood the real meaning of the phrase 'tight money,' thought Monty. 'Lord, if it would only loosen a bit and stay loosened.'”
Monty reflects on the difficulty of spending his fortune quickly, wishing the money would become easier to waste.
Highlights Monty's ironic struggle with wealth and his desperation to lose it.
“It shines out at you with its white terraces and turrets like those fascinating castles that Maxfield Parrish draws for children. It is fairyland. You expect to wake and find it gone.”
Pettingill describes the villa as a dreamlike, almost unreal paradise, reminiscent of a Maxfield Parrish painting.
Establishes the villa as an idyllic, fantastical setting that fuels Monty's scheme.
“I feel like the boy who was shut in a closet for punishment and found it the place where they kept the jam,' said 'Subway.' 'It is almost as good as owning Central Park.'”
Subway Smith compares the villa to a hidden treasure, suggesting it is as wonderful as owning a famous landmark.
Emphasizes the unexpected delight and luxury of the villa.
“You needn't think that your million gives you the privilege of dictating to all of your guests.”
Peggy rebukes Monty for acting entitled because of his wealth.
Reveals Peggy's resentment and the tension between them regarding Monty's behavior.
