Question

Money, property, and possessions play an enormous role in the play, Little Clay Cart. How does the material wealth (or lack thereof) affect the relationship between the two main characters caught in the strict Indian "Caste" system? Do you agree even in the 21st Century, the virtue of character and integrity supersede monetary wealth?

Answer 1

Little Clay Cart is a Sanskrit play. It has romantic theme. It depicts relation between a high born man and courtesan. It explains the concept of dynastic overturn. There is a character known as Charudatta. He belongs to upper cast of Hindu religion i.e. Brahman.

Vasantsena is rich courtesan. She is another important character. Charudatta falls in love with Vasantsena. He is poor but Vasantsena is rich. He is married and also has a son. Events changes and Charudatta becomes accused of her murder.

Later on he becomes free after Vasantsena appears before king and explains that Charudatta is innocent. This story depicts that wealth play main role in deciding the behaviour of people. If a person is of lower cast but has enough money then his/her caste system does not matter.

A poor person from upper caste can be treated in deceptive manner. Money brings influence. It is main source of power. It is true in present time also. We see that people can kill someone just for the sake on money. Money is being seen with a magical power which can solve all the miseries of life.

It has captured our mind. It decides our actions and our values of morality. People think that money can provide them security from harsh conditions while the truth is that it is our skill and mental strength which can help us during period of dejection.