Who are the main characters in 'The Devoted Friend'?

The primary characters are Hugh the Miller, a prosperous but selfish man, and Little Hans, a kind-hearted and diligent gardener. The story also features the Water-rat, who serves as a skeptical audience to the Linnet's narration.

How does Hugh the Miller rationalize his exploitation of Hans?

Hugh rationalizes his actions by claiming that true friendship means never inconveniencing a friend, and that it would spoil Hans to have too much money. He believes he is doing Hans a favor by accepting all his produce and services, reinforcing Hans's 'devotion' to him.

What is the ultimate fate of Little Hans?

Little Hans tragically drowns in a ditch while running an urgent errand for the Miller. He was asked to fetch a doctor for the Miller's son on a stormy night, a task that was dangerous and ultimately fatal due to the Miller's broken lantern promise.

What role does the Water-rat play in the narrative framework?

The Water-rat acts as an incredulous and cynical listener to the Linnet's story. He constantly interrupts with practical, self-interested questions and dismisses the moral of the tale, highlighting a different perspective on friendship and self-preservation.

What specific promises does Hugh the Miller make to Hans that he never keeps?

Hugh promises Hans an old wheelbarrow, a broken lantern, and a plank of wood, none of which he ever delivers. Instead, he constantly demands favors from Hans, such as carrying sacks of flour, tending his garden, and even fetching a doctor, without ever reciprocating.

How does the changing of seasons reflect Hans's situation?

The story emphasizes Hans's hard work throughout all seasons, from planting in spring to harvesting in summer. The harsh winter, during which Hans is alone and struggling, contrasts sharply with the Miller's prosperity and his subsequent demands on Hans when spring returns, highlighting Hans's perpetual disadvantage.

Is there any subtle hint that Hans might have been aware, at some level, of the Miller's true nature?

While Hans is presented as naive, his occasional 'sighs' and 'sad' expressions when the Miller makes another demand suggest a subconscious discomfort or burden, even if he doesn't consciously acknowledge the Miller's selfishness. He never openly challenges the Miller.

What is the significance of the Miller's comment about 'spoiling' Hans with money?

This comment reveals the Miller's manipulative psychology, where he frames his stinginess as an act of kindness. He uses this excuse to avoid helping Hans financially, while simultaneously benefiting immensely from Hans's unpaid labor and produce.

How does Hans's selflessness contribute to his own downfall?

Hans's unwavering selflessness and inability to refuse a friend's request make him vulnerable to exploitation. His devotion, though admirable in itself, is tragically misdirected towards a person who lacks any reciprocal empathy, leading him to overexert himself and ultimately die.

Analyze the Miller's reaction to Hans's death at the funeral.

At Hans's funeral, the Miller displays performative grief, complaining about the inconvenience of Hans's death and the loss of his 'best friend.' He is more concerned with his own reputation and the burden of the funeral than with genuine sorrow for Hans, showing his superficiality.

How does the Linnet's storytelling style influence the reader's perception of the moral?

The Linnet tells the story with sincere earnestness and believes deeply in the moral lesson it conveys. This direct, simple narration aims to evoke sympathy for Hans and condemnation for the Miller, clearly guiding the reader towards a moral interpretation of true friendship.

Is 'The Devoted Friend' merely a children's story, or does it carry deeper allegorical meanings?

While presented as a children's tale, it carries profound allegorical meanings about social class, exploitation, and the nature of true vs. false friendship. It critiques societal structures where the powerful take advantage of the less fortunate, and examines the dangers of naive generosity.

What is the primary moral lesson Wilde intends to convey through this story?

Wilde primarily intends to critique false friendship and expose the dangers of one-sided relationships built on exploitation. He highlights that true friendship requires reciprocity, genuine care, and not just taking advantage of another's kindness.

How does the Water-rat's reaction challenge or complicate the story's moral?

The Water-rat's cynical and self-interested reaction directly challenges the Linnet's moral. By dismissing the story as having 'no moral' and prioritizing practicality, the Water-rat represents a more jaded, realistic, or even selfish perspective that exists in the world, complicating the idealism of the Linnet.

Could Hans have acted differently to avoid his fate, or was he inherently doomed by his nature?

While Hans's trusting nature made him vulnerable, he could potentially have set boundaries or refused some of the Miller's demands. However, given the social dynamics and Hans's deeply ingrained kindness, it's debatable whether he *could* have acted differently without fundamentally changing his character, suggesting a tragic inevitability within the story's framework.

What is Wilde's broader commentary on society or human nature in 'The Devoted Friend'?

Wilde critiques the hypocrisy and self-interest often masked by polite society and sentimental language. He exposes how wealth and power can corrupt relationships, leading to the exploitation of the innocent and generous, and highlights the prevalent lack of genuine empathy in human interactions.

Why does Wilde choose a bird (Linnet) and a rodent (Water-rat) to frame this human story?

Using animal characters allows Wilde to present a fable-like quality, distancing the specific human characters while universalizing the moral. The Linnet's poetic nature contrasts with the Water-rat's pragmatic one, allowing for a debate on the story's meaning from different 'natural' perspectives, making the commentary on human nature more stark.

The Devoted Friend Summary by Oscar Wilde | BookBrief

Name: The Devoted Friend
Availability: InStock
Rating: 3.86 (1132 reviews)
ISBN: 9780934211109

A manipulative miller takes advantage of his devoted gardener, Hans, leading to Hans's death under the guise of friendship.

Synopsis

Little Hans is a kind gardener with many flowers. His friend is Hugh the Miller, a rich but selfish man. The Miller often talks about friendship but never helps Hans, instead using Hans's generosity. During a harsh winter, the Miller avoids Hans, not wanting to share his own food. When spring comes, the Miller visits Hans, offering his old, broken wheelbarrow in exchange for many demanding favors. Hans, loyal to his friend, agrees to these tasks: carrying heavy sacks of flour, working in the Miller's garden, and running errands, all while neglecting his own garden. One stormy night, the Miller's son gets sick. The Miller sends Hans to get the doctor, despite the dangerous weather, promising the wheelbarrow the next day. Hans, tired and confused by the storm, falls into a ditch and drowns. At Hans's funeral, the Miller pretends to be very sad, complaining about losing his 'devoted friend' and the trouble of finding someone new for his errands. The Water-rat, who doubted the Miller's idea of friendship, sees the whole sad event and condemns the Miller's hypocrisy.

Reading time

15 min

Difficulty

Easy

Pacing

Moderate

Mood

Melancholy, Thought-provoking, Cautionary

✓ Read this if...

You enjoy allegorical tales, fables with clear moral lessons, or classic children's literature that explores themes of friendship, sacrifice, and selfishness.

✗ Skip this if...

You prefer complex narratives, happy endings, or stories without overt moralizing.

Plot Summary

The Water-rat's Skepticism

The story starts with a Linnet telling the tale of Hans and the Miller to a Water-rat, who initially dislikes the idea of friendship, preferring practical matters. The Linnet, however, insists on friendship's beauty and importance, contrasting it with the Water-rat's cynical view. The Linnet's story aims to show true devotion, even if it is later used. The Water-rat remains unconvinced, finding the Linnet's romanticized view impractical, which sets the stage for the sad tale and foreshadows his later criticism of the Miller's actions.

Hugh the Miller and Little Hans

Hugh the Miller is introduced as a seemingly kind and rich man who constantly claims to be a good friend to Little Hans, a poor but hardworking gardener. The Miller often visits Hans's garden, admiring his flowers and taking bouquets. Despite his apparent affection, the Miller never helps Hans, saying that true friendship means not bothering friends with requests. He justifies his constant taking by promising to give Hans his old wheelbarrow, a gift always put off. Hans, simple and loyal, believes the Miller and continues to give freely.

The Hard Winter

When winter comes, Hans's garden has no flowers, and he becomes very poor. The Miller, despite his wealth, does not visit Hans or help him. He claims it would be wrong to bother a friend in trouble and that true friendship means leaving someone alone during hardships. He also fears that helping Hans would make Hans jealous of his own wealth. Hans endures the cold and hunger alone, selling his few remaining things to survive. His loyalty to the Miller, however, stays strong, as he expects the Miller to return in spring.

Spring's Deceptive Promise

As spring arrives and Hans's flowers bloom again, the Miller quickly reappears, praising Hans's garden and reaffirming his 'friendship.' He immediately asks Hans for a large plank of wood, saying he needs it for his barn. Hans, eager to please his 'best friend,' readily agrees, even though he has to carry the heavy plank a long way. The Miller again mentions the old wheelbarrow, promising it to Hans as a reward for his help, which strengthens Hans's belief in his generosity and the eventual repayment of his kindness.

A String of Favors

After the plank incident, the Miller continues to use Hans's good nature with many requests. He asks Hans to run errands, carry sacks of flour to market, and do various chores, always promising the wheelbarrow in return. Hans, being simple and loyal, never refuses, even when these tasks interfere with his own gardening and livelihood. He believes that by helping the Miller, he is making their friendship stronger and will eventually get the promised gift, unaware that he is being used.

The Broken Wheelbarrow

One day, the Miller finally 'gives' Hans the long-promised wheelbarrow. However, it is old, broken, and missing a wheel. He makes Hans promise to repair it himself, claiming he has no time. Hans, though disappointed by its condition, is still grateful, believing the Miller has finally kept his promise. This act shows the Miller's manipulative nature, as he appears generous while giving Hans a burden and getting even more labor from him.

The Miller's Son Falls Ill

Late one stormy night, the Miller's son gets sick. The Miller's wife suggests getting the doctor, but the Miller, not wanting to get wet or ruin his boots, immediately thinks of Hans. He sends Hans out into the dark, heavy rain to get the doctor, despite the dangerous conditions. Hans, always loyal and trusting, immediately leaves, believing he is performing an important act of friendship, unaware of the Miller's selfish reasons and the danger he is in.

Hans's Tragic Demise

Hans bravely goes out into the storm, walking many miles to get the doctor. On his way back, because of the darkness and flooded roads, he falls into a ditch and drowns. His body is found the next morning. This sad event results directly from the Miller's selfish refusal to go himself and his exploitation of Hans's loyalty. Hans, the devoted friend, dies while doing a service for someone who never truly cared for him.

The Miller's Hypocritical Grief

At Hans's funeral, the Miller appears prominently, crying loudly and claiming to be Hans's 'best friend.' He pretends to be very sad, but his real concern shows when he complains about the trouble of Hans's death, especially losing his old, broken wheelbarrow that Hans was supposed to fix. He also worries about who will do all the favors Hans used to do. His act clearly shows his hypocrisy, demonstrating his complete lack of real affection for Hans.

The Water-rat's Verdict

After hearing the whole story, the Water-rat calls it a terrible tale with no moral, as he cannot understand why the Miller didn't give Hans something for all his help. He criticizes the Linnet for telling such a sad story. The Linnet tries to explain the moral about true friendship, but the Water-rat remains focused on the transactional aspect, reinforcing his earlier cynicism. He waddles off, convinced that the story only proves his point about how impractical selfless devotion is, completely missing the deeper criticism of exploitation.

Principal Figures

Little Hans

The Protagonist

Hans remains consistently devoted and trusting, never learning from the Miller's exploitation, leading to his tragic death.

Hugh the Miller

The Antagonist

The Miller's selfishness and hypocrisy are consistent throughout the story, culminating in his fake grief at Hans's funeral.

The Linnet

The Supporting

The Linnet consistently advocates for genuine friendship, attempting to educate the Water-rat.

The Water-rat

The Supporting

The Water-rat remains stubbornly cynical, failing to grasp the deeper moral of the story.

The Miller's Wife

The Mentioned

Her character is static, serving to reinforce the Miller's self-serving household.

The Doctor

The Mentioned

Not applicable as the character is not directly involved.

Themes & Insights

The Nature of True Friendship vs. False Friendship

The story sharply contrasts real, selfless loyalty with manipulative, self-serving pretense. Little Hans shows true friendship through his steady loyalty, generosity, and willingness to help, even at personal cost. The Miller, in contrast, represents false friendship, using flattery and empty promises to exploit Hans's good nature for his own gain. His 'friendship' is about what he can get, as seen when he avoids Hans in winter but quickly reappears in spring to demand favors. The tragedy highlights how true devotion can be vulnerable to such exploitation.

“What is the good of having a friend, if one is not to get anything out of him?”

Exploitation and Selfishness

A main theme is the terrible impact of exploitation driven by selfishness. The Miller constantly uses Hans's kindness, labor, and resources, giving nothing substantial in return. His excuses for not helping Hans during winter or for sending Hans into the storm are thin reasons for his own comfort. The story criticizes those who act like benefactors or friends while systematically draining others for personal gain, which leads to Hans's death and the Miller's fake sadness, tinged with annoyance over losing his 'free labor.'

“Really, I don’t think that I should tell you to trouble about it. You had much better mend your own wheelbarrow, and I will mend mine, for I am sure I should not like you to get into any trouble on my account.”

Naive Trust and its Consequences

Hans's steady, almost childlike trust in the Miller's good intentions is a key part of the story. Despite many times the Miller took advantage of him and never kept his promises, Hans continues to believe in their 'friendship' and the eventual reward of the wheelbarrow. This naive trust makes him very open to exploitation. His failure to see the Miller's true character leads to his sad death, showing the dangers of blind faith and devotion when given to someone unworthy.

“He was so devoted to the Miller, that he would do anything that the Miller asked him to do.”

Social Critique of Materialism and Hypocrisy

The story acts as a strong social critique, especially clear in the Miller's character and the Water-rat's reaction. The Miller represents the materialistic person who values possessions and convenience more than human connection. His hypocrisy is exposed at Hans's funeral, where his loud crying is quickly followed by complaints about losing his wheelbarrow and free labor. The Water-rat's inability to see a 'moral' beyond transactional gain further emphasizes this critique, suggesting that society often puts practical, self-serving outcomes before selflessness and real affection.

“I will give you my old wheelbarrow. It is not a very pretty wheelbarrow, but it will be a comfort to you.”

Plot Devices & Literary Techniques

Framing Narrative

A story within a story, used to introduce and comment on the main plot.

The tale of Little Hans and the Miller is embedded within a conversation between a Linnet and a Water-rat. This framing device allows for an external commentary on the events, highlighting different perspectives on friendship and morality. The Linnet tells the story to illustrate the true meaning of devotion, while the Water-rat's cynical reactions provide a foil, emphasizing the story's critique of superficiality and materialism. It also serves to distance the author slightly, allowing the philosophical debate to unfold naturally.

Ironic Contrast

The juxtaposition of stated intentions or appearances with actual actions and outcomes.

The story is rich with ironic contrast. The Miller constantly professes to be Hans's 'best friend' while systematically exploiting him. His claims of fostering true friendship by not burdening Hans with help during winter stand in stark contrast to his immediate demands for favors in spring. The most poignant irony is his performative grief at Hans's funeral, immediately followed by complaints about losing his old wheelbarrow and his free labor, exposing the hollowness of his declared affection.

Symbolism of the Wheelbarrow

A promised gift that represents false hope and the transactional nature of the Miller's 'friendship'.

The wheelbarrow functions as a central symbol. It is the Miller's perpetually promised 'gift' to Hans, a tangible representation of the Miller's manipulative generosity. It offers Hans false hope and serves as a constant justification for his continued labor. When it is finally 'given,' it is old, broken, and requires Hans to fix it himself, symbolizing the Miller's ultimate self-interest and the worthlessness of his 'gifts.' It underscores how the Miller gives only what is convenient and still extracts more from Hans.

Foreshadowing

Hints or clues about future events, particularly Hans's tragic end.

Foreshadowing is subtly used throughout the narrative to hint at Hans's eventual demise and the Miller's unchanging selfishness. The Miller's repeated neglect of Hans during winter, coupled with his constant demands for favors, gradually builds a sense of Hans's vulnerability. The final, dangerous errand in the storm, explicitly initiated by the Miller's refusal to go himself, clearly points towards the tragic outcome, making Hans's death feel inevitable due to the Miller's callousness.

Critical analysis

Notable Quotes

“What is the use of a good intention unless it is carried out?”

— The Water-rat's cynical view on good intentions without action.

“Real friendship, like real poetry, is extremely rare—and even more rare is the real devoted friend.”

— The Linnet's initial reflection on the rarity of true friendship.

“I am quite sure I shall be very happy with him. He is so thoughtful of others, and so fond of flowers.”

— Little Hans's naive perception of the Miller's 'kindness'.

“It is not at all a bad thing that he should work. All good citizens should work.”

— The Miller's justification for letting Hans do all the work.

“I will certainly come and see you, and you will give me a large basket of primroses, and we will talk about what a pleasure it is to be a friend.”

— The Miller's promise to Hans, always tied to a request.

“He was so devoted to him that he never once went to see him, even when he was ill.”

— The narrator's ironic description of the Miller's 'devotion' to Hans.

“Your only object in life should be to give pleasure to others.”

— The Miller's 'philosophy' shared with Hans, which he applies only to Hans.

“It is quite a different thing to be a friend of someone who is poor.”

— The Linnet's observation on the complexities of friendship across social classes.

“I am so glad to hear you are rich, for I am very fond of rich people.”

— The Miller's blatant admission of his preference for wealthy friends.

“I am quite sure that when he is rich he will remember me.”

— Hans's persistent, misplaced hope in the Miller's future gratitude.

“A good example is always worth more than a good lecture.”

— The Linnet's advice to the Water-rat, contrasting with the Miller's actions.

“He was such a devoted friend that he would not let Hans do anything for him.”

— Another ironic statement about the Miller's 'devotion', meaning he took everything.

“I have a great many friends, but I have no devoted friend.”

— The Water-rat's final lament, misunderstanding the story's true meaning.

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The story centers on the exploitative friendship between Hugh the Miller and Hans the gardener. Hugh consistently takes advantage of Hans's generosity and labor under the guise of being a 'devoted friend,' ultimately leading to Hans's tragic demise.

About the author

Oscar Wilde

Oscar Fingal O'Fflahertie Wills Wilde was an Irish poet and playwright. After writing in different forms throughout the 1880s, he became one of the most popular playwrights in London in the early 1890s. He is best remembered for his epigrams and plays, his novel The Picture of Dorian Gray, and the circumstances of his criminal conviction for gross indecency for consensual homosexual acts in "one of the first celebrity trials", imprisonment, and early death from meningitis at the age of 46.

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