The Miser Isolation Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Act.Scene.Paragraph)

Quote #1

"It's a terrible worry having such a large sum of money in the house." (1.4.1)

Harpagon is so anxious about losing his money that he almost regrets having it at all. But that's a really big 'almost'. At the end of the day, he'd rather never let anyone else set foot in his house than give up his money.

Quote #2

"I was so anxious, I let myself be carried away. I do believe I was talking to myself." (1.4.1)

Harpagon's habit of talking to himself shows us that the guy spends a little too much time alone. This is the kind of thing you start doing when you're isolated on a desert island. Too bad Harpagon doesn't have a volleyball to start talking to, Wilson-style.

Quote #3

"I can tell you clearly heard something." (1.4.13)

Harpagon is so isolated by his paranoia that he doesn't even trust his own children. Even when he's simply thinking about his money, he doesn't like having them nearby. That's because the old man is so isolated that he loses track of when he's talking out loud to himself.