Avarice and Moral Decay

Andrew Fisher's miserly and cruel nature, hardened over ninety years, illustrates how greed and a lack of compassion lead to isolation and moral corruption, while his eventual financial loss and death serve as a cautionary tale.

Andrew's hoarding of wealth, his violent past (blinding a carter, laming a ploughboy), and his harsh treatment of family and workers illustrate moral decay driven by greed.

Old Fisher's avarice over a small financial loss leads to his downfall, contrasting with the generosity of the wedding feast.