“Money Madness” is a short story by D.H. Lawrence, a celebrated English author. Money Madness is a biting critique of today’s consumerist society, which is centred on material prosperity and money. People nowadays are so consumed by the drive to amass wealth that they are ready to put their morality and even their sanity on the line. Read More 1st PUC English Summaries.
Money Madness Summary
Money Madness Summary in English
‘Money Madness’ by D.H. Lawrence is a powerful argument against the weakness of money. Lawrence begins by saying that madness for money is collective. With this, he establishes the fact that the madness for money is widespread and is rampant. But Lawrence is quick to add that an individual is not absolved of guilt just because this madness is all-pervasive. He has to admit to his own share of insanity because collective madness is possible only after individual madness comes into existence. Thus the poet points out that money is a madness shared by everyone in the world. If the whole world is mad, then every single person carries the madness around him.
The poet is afraid of society. If a man becomes so consumed by money, he forgets what else is important in the world. Financial issues are stressful. Often, society judges a man by his riches. If he is poor, then society expects him to eat dirt or beg for bread. Lawrence emphasizes that the world has become preoccupied with money and the ways in which one can possess wealth. It is madness to place such importance on money which can be lost in the blink of an eye. People do not like to share their money. The larger the amount, the more painful it becomes to give it away. Man cowers before the god of wealth – Money can stress a person. The consumption of riches has power over man. It is the collective or shared wealth that is most frightening. The narrator hopes that if he has no money, mankind will give him bread so that he might live. But he also knows that along with bread, people will make him eat dirt.
This fear of the ‘money-hungry fellow man’ can confuse a person. To summarize his point, Lawrence avows that people should not have to beg for food to eat. Food, shelter, and fire should be free for everyone. Mankind must regain its composure concerning the financial aspect of life before we start killing one another over it.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, D.H. Lawrence’s “Money Madness” serves as a cautionary tale about the destructive nature of an unchecked obsession with wealth. The story underscores the emptiness of a life consumed by materialism and the profound consequences it can have on one’s well-being and relationships.