44 pages 1 hour read

Jean-Baptiste Moliere

The Miser

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1668

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Before You Read

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

The Miser, a comedy by Jean-Baptiste Molière, centers on Harpagon, a penny-pinching old man in Paris who seeks to increase his wealth by arranging advantageous marriages for himself and his two grown children, Elise and Cleante, causing intergenerational conflict and romantic entanglements as each struggles to marry their chosen partners amidst misunderstandings and schemes. One character mimics the action of hanging themselves.

Reviews & Readership

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Reviews for Jean-Baptiste Molière’s The Miser highlight its enduring humor and keen social commentary. Audiences appreciate the clever satire of greed and human folly. While some find the plot predictable, the play's lively characters and witty dialogue consistently entertain. Overall, it remains a classic in comedic theater.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Miser?

A reader who enjoys sharp social commentary, witty dialogue, and classic satire would find pleasure in The Miser by Jean-Baptiste Molière. Similar to those who appreciate Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice or the humor in William Shakespeare's comedies, this audience enjoys exploring human follies through timeless, clever narratives.

RecommendedReading Age

15-18years

Book Details

Genre

Play: Comedy / Satire

Classic Fiction

French Literature

Themes

Values/Ideas: Power & Greed

Relationships: Daughters & Sons

Relationships: Marriage