Miser
Miser is the term for a person who is reluctant to spend money, usually for the point where he or she forgoes even basic comforts. It derives from the Latin, "miser", meaning "poor" or "wretched."
In fiction, a miser is a stock character: a wealthy, greedy man who lives miserably in order to save and increase his treasure. Dickens' Ebenezer Scrooge is an obvious example.
A related stereotype is the capitalist as portrayed in, for example, Soviet propaganda. Both are usually moneylenders or industrialists, in any case businessmen, who possess great personal wealth but aren't bothered by the fate of the poor. The difference is that, unlike the miser, the capitalist does spend his money, leading a decadent life.
Anti-Semites have portrayed Jews in both ways.
There is a Molière play called The Miser (original title: "L'Avare"). It tells the story of an old miser, Harpagon, who loves his trunk of coins more than anything, even his family. The latter, frustrated by his attitude, decides to hide his trunk. Harpagon would then be ready for anything to get it back, even ready to get reasonable...
The play was adapted into a movie with popular French comedian Louis de Funès as Harpagon.
Famous misers in fiction
- Scrooge McDuck - American, Disney character
- Ebenezer Scrooge - British, Dickens character
- C. Montgomery Burns - American, Simpsons series
- Harpagon - French, Molière play
- The Lady of Stavoren- Dutch, local legend
- Shylock - British, Shakespeare character
Famous misers in history
- Hetty Green
- Collyer brothers
- Charles Huffman
- Norbert Colon
