The Miserly Knight concerns the parricidal wishes of a young nobleman toward his father who hoards gold. In the course of an argument which has reached the point of violence between the two, the old baron dies of a heart attack. Data from Pushkin's life indicates the play reflected his feelings toward his own father, a miserly man, who withheld funds Pushkin badly needed; on one occasion at least, the father accused Pushkin of physical violence.