the rocking horse winner essay conclusion

A Summary and Analysis of D. H. Lawrence’s ‘The Rocking-Horse Winner’

By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)

‘The Rocking-Horse Winner’ is a short story by D. H. Lawrence , which was first published in 1926. It’s a story about luck, money, and success, and the dangers of chasing after these and investing too much in them. But how we should analyse and interpret the story remains unclear. In this post we’re going to offer some notes towards an analysis of this classic D. H. Lawrence story. You can read ‘The Rocking-Horse Winner’ here .

‘The Rocking-Horse Winner’: plot summary

In summary, ‘The Rocking-Horse Winner’ focuses on a young boy, Paul, who wishes to win money for his mother and who manages to do so by riding his rocking-horse until he enters a state of near-frenzy and he manages to ‘predict’ the name of the horse that will win the next major race.

He does this several times, winning ever greater sums of money for his mother, egged on by his Uncle Oscar in whom he confides about the rocking-horse trick.

Eventually, however, he rides his rocking-horse into such a frenzy that he collapses and, upon hearing news that he has won a large fortune from his latest bet, he dies.

‘The Rocking-Horse Winner’: analysis

Given this short summary of the story’s plot, what is the moral of the story? It’s difficult to say for certain, but one likely interpretation of ‘The Rocking-Horse Winner’ is that if you expend all your energy trying to accrue wealth, it will end up destroying you. This is, indeed, what it does to Paul: riding his rocking-horse proves very bad for his health.

But this is not the only way in which we might analyse Lawrence’s short story. Is ‘The Rocking-Horse Winner’ meant to be read as symbolic? Some critics (such as Ben Stoltzfus in his book Lacan and Literature: Purloined Pretexts ) have noted that Paul, a preadolescent boy, spends a lot of time shut away in his room riding the horse, and that he rides it so frenziedly that he ends up going into a trance.

We might add that, tellingly, Paul has moved the rocking-horse from the nursery into his bedroom, suggesting a desire to upgrade from childhood into adolescence, which would include a desire for sexual knowledge and exploration.

In summary, is the riding of the rocking-horse supposed to be Freudian sexual code? D. H. Lawrence was very interested in Sigmund Freud’s theories of the unconscious, and he also wrote an essay, ‘Pornography and Obscenity’, against masturbation.

To interpret ‘The Rocking-Horse Winner’ as a cautionary tale about the dangers of ‘self-pollution’ seems too reductive, but it may be that this analysis might be linked with the interpretation offered above, and that Lawrence is seeking to draw a parallel between sexual drives and the pursuit of wealth.

Here we might mention Freud’s own idea of ‘sublimation’, whereby the male’s Oedipal desire for the mother is repressed and this drive has to find an alternative outlet: chasing financial success might be one such ‘alternative drive’.

‘The Rocking-Horse Winner’: how should we analyse that title in light of the story that follows? On the one hand it seems to describe the story, and the character of Paul, accurately: he uses the rocking-horse to ‘predict’ the winner of the next big horse race, and ends up winning huge sums of money by only betting when he’s completely ‘sure’ that he’s got the right winner.

But on the other hand, he ends up being overcome by his own success and the excitement it generates, and dies. In summary, ultimately he is as much a ‘loser’ as a winner – or rather, more a loser than a winner, since the money, and his talent for ‘guessing’ the correct winner, are no good to him when he’s dead.

What significance should we give to the names of the winning horses in Lawrence’s story? The first such named horse is Sansovino, who really did win the Epsom Derby in 1924. Does Lawrence introduce this name into his story to blend a degree of realism into his fantastical story?

In the last analysis, ‘The Rocking-Horse Winner’ is a curious blend of realism with folk-tale elements, given its suggestion of Paul’s supernatural abilities (or those of the rocking-horse) and the narrative patterning of the short story. It’s one of D. H. Lawrence’s finest achievements in short fiction.

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“The Rocking Horse Winner” by D.H. Lawrence: Analysis

Published in 1926, “The Rocking Horse Winner” by D.H. Lawrence has become one of the author’s most popular and enduring short stories, exploring the themes of greed, materialism, and the corrupting influence of money.

Introduction: “The Rocking Horse Winner” by D.H. Lawrence

Table of Contents

Published in 1926, “The Rocking Horse Winner” by D.H. Lawrence has become one of the author’s most popular and enduring short stories, exploring the themes of greed, materialism, and the corrupting influence of money. Set in England during the early 20th century, the story follows the tragic downfall of a young boy named Paul, who becomes obsessed with winning money to fulfill the unspoken desires of his mother and prove his own worth. With its vivid characterization, haunting imagery, and piercing critique of the social and economic systems of the time, “The Rocking Horse Winner” has become a staple of literary anthologies and a beloved classic of the modern short story.

Main Events in “The Rocking Horse Winner” by D.H. Lawrence

• Paul, a young boy, becomes obsessed with winning money after hearing his mother complain about their financial situation.
• Paul discovers that he has a unique ability to predict the winners of horse races through riding his rocking horse.
• Using his winnings, Paul secretly gifts his mother with thousands of pounds, hoping to finally earn her love and affection.
• Despite his efforts, Paul’s mother remains distant and ungrateful for his gifts, leading him to become increasingly desperate.
• Paul continues to ride his rocking horse in a frenzied state, determined to earn more money.
• His obsession with winning becomes all-consuming, causing him to neglect his own health and well-being.
• Paul’s uncle, Oscar, begins to worry about his nephew’s behavior and attempts to intervene.
• Despite Oscar’s efforts, Paul refuses to stop his frantic horse riding, leading to a tragic accident.
• In the aftermath of Paul’s death, his mother finally realizes the true cost of her greed and materialism.
• The story ends with the chilling words of the house whispering “There must be more money!” as the cycle of greed and obsession continues.

Literary Devices in “The Rocking Horse Winner” by D.H. Lawrence

• Allusion – A reference to a well-known person, place, or event. In the story, Paul is described as “riding his rocking-horse until he gets a ‘winner,’ which is an allusion to horse racing.
• Characterization – The process by which an author reveals the personality of a character. The story’s characters, such as Paul’s mother, are revealed through their actions and dialogue.
• Foreshadowing – Hints or clues given by the author that suggest future events. In the story, the repeated mention of the phrase “There must be more money” foreshadows the tragedy that will occur.
• Imagery – Descriptive language that creates a vivid sensory experience for the reader. For example, when Paul is riding his rocking-horse, the author uses imagery to describe his “flaming eyes” and “clenched little fists.”
• Irony – A contrast between what is expected and what actually happens. In the story, Paul’s mother desires money and wealth, but her son’s quest for money leads to tragedy.
• Metaphor – A figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable. For example, the story’s title refers to the rocking horse, which is a metaphor for Paul’s quest for wealth.
• Motif – A recurring theme or image in a work of literature. The phrase “There must be more money” is a motif in the story.
• Narration – The act of telling a story. The story is narrated in the third person point of view.
• Personification – Giving human qualities to non-human objects. In the story, the house is personified as “whispering” the phrase “There must be more money.”
• Point of view – The perspective from which a story is told. The story is told from an omniscient third-person point of view.
• Protagonist – The main character in a story. In the story, Paul is the protagonist.
• Satire – A literary technique that uses humor and irony to criticize society or human behavior. The story is a satire on the culture of materialism and greed in early 20th century England.
• Setting – The time and place in which a story takes place. The story is set in England in the early 20th century.
• Symbolism – The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities. The rocking-horse is a symbol of Paul’s desire for wealth and his mother’s obsession with money.
• Theme – The central idea or message of a story. The themes of the story include the corrupting influence of money, the dangers of greed and materialism, and the consequences of neglecting one’s loved ones.

Characterization in “The Rocking Horse Winner” by D.H. Lawrence

Major characters.

• Paul: A sensitive young boy consumed by a desire to end his mother’s constant whispers of “There must be more money!” He exhibits an uncanny ability to intuit winning racehorses, riding his rocking horse into a frenzy to discover them. Paul’s motivation stems from a childlike desire to please and protect his mother, yet it also carries a tragic undercurrent of self-sacrifice.
• Paul’s Mother (Hester): More a symbol of greed and dissatisfaction than a fully fleshed character. She’s described as beautiful yet having “lost all her luck,” which drives her insatiable desire for wealth. While the narrative hints at genuine love for her children, her emotional distance is evident (“the children could not hear anything”). This neglect fuels Paul’s desperate attempts to fill the void with money.
• Paul’s Father: A shadowy figure, described as “handsome” yet ineffective as a provider of emotional support. His inability to understand his wife’s anxiety leaves the family feeling financially and emotionally vulnerable.

Minor Characters

• Paul’s Sisters: Their presence highlights the lack of a nurturing female presence in Paul’s life. They are largely oblivious to his struggles, further emphasizing his isolation.
• Uncle Oscar (Creswell): A worldly figure, Uncle Oscar is more attuned to Paul’s sensitivity and anxieties than his own parents. He plays along with Paul’s “luck,” unknowingly encouraging the boy’s dangerous obsession. Oscar’s ultimate financial success, in contrast to Paul’s fate, accentuates the story’s themes of chance, obsession, and the destructive allure of wealth.
• Bassett: The practical, working-class gardener forms a unique bond with Paul. He recognizes and facilitates Paul’s gift, becoming a co-conspirator in the quest for money. While Bassett benefits materially, his connection to Paul seems to possess a genuine element of care.

Major Themes in “The Rocking Horse Winner” by D.H. Lawrence

• The destructive nature of materialism: One of the major themes in “The Rocking Horse Winner” is the destructive power of materialism. The story highlights how the pursuit of wealth and status can lead to emotional neglect and ultimately, tragedy.
• The search for identity and purpose: Another important theme in the story is the search for identity and purpose. Paul’s desire to win money is driven by a need to prove himself to his mother and find a sense of purpose in his life.
• The impact of societal expectations: The story also explores the impact of societal expectations on individuals and families. Paul’s mother is driven by a desire to maintain her social status, and this puts immense pressure on her family to live up to those expectations.
• The power of imagination: Finally, “The Rocking Horse Winner” highlights the power of imagination and the human desire to transcend reality. Paul’s ability to communicate with the rocking horse and his belief in its ability to predict winners is a testament to the power of the human imagination. However, it also underscores the danger of becoming lost in one’s own fantasies and losing touch with reality.

Writing Style in “The Rocking Horse Winner” by D.H. Lawrence

• Blending of Realism and Symbolism : Lawrence juxtaposes realistic details (“The children… were having such battles”) with symbolic elements like the rocking horse, representing both a childhood toy and a desperate vehicle for acquiring wealth.
• Psychological Focus: The omniscient narrator delves into the characters’ inner thoughts, revealing Hester’s obsession (“There must be more money!”) and Paul’s frantic determination to uncover the “luck.”
• Sensory Descriptions: Lawrence uses vivid imagery to create a tangible world (“the house came to feel hollow”) and convey emotional states (Paul’s riding reaching a “strange state, swinging, thrilling”).
• Metaphorical Language – The whispers of the house (“There must be more money!”) embody a materialistic force consuming the family, while the frenzied riding foreshadows Paul’s self-destructive path.
• Repetition and Foreshadowing : The repeated phrase “There must be more money!” highlights the relentless drive for wealth and foreshadows the story’s tragic conclusion.
• Attention to Detail: Lawrence’s focus on small details, like the children’s eyes “blue with fear” or the “blazing fire,” heightens the emotional tension and paints a vivid picture of this dysfunctional family.

Literary Theories and Interpretation of “The Rocking Horse Winner” by D.H. Lawrence

• Psychoanalytic Theory : One interpretation of “The Rocking Horse Winner” is through the lens of psychoanalytic theory. The story can be seen as a manifestation of the Oedipus complex, with Paul’s desire to win money representing his need to replace his absent father and prove himself to his mother. This interpretation is supported by the fact that Paul’s mother refers to him as her “little man” and that his desire to please her is linked to his sexual and emotional development (Freud, 1900).
• Marxist Theory : Another interpretation of the story is through the lens of Marxist theory. The story can be seen as a critique of the capitalist system and the obsession with material wealth that it breeds. This interpretation is supported by the fact that the characters are all driven by a desire for money and social status, which ultimately leads to their downfall. The story can also be seen as a commentary on the inequality and exploitation inherent in the capitalist system (Marx, 1867).
• Formalist Theory : A formalist interpretation of “The Rocking Horse Winner” would focus on the language and structure of the story. This approach emphasizes the way that the story is constructed, the use of literary devices such as foreshadowing and repetition, and the ways in which the language and imagery contribute to the overall effect of the story (Shklovsky, 1917).
• Feminist Theory : A feminist interpretation of the story would focus on the portrayal of Paul’s mother and the gender roles that are enforced in the story. This approach emphasizes the way that the story reinforces traditional gender roles, with the mother being portrayed as a passive and dependent figure, while the male characters are seen as active and capable. The story can also be seen as a critique of the patriarchal society in which it is set, and the way that women are expected to sacrifice their own desires and ambitions for the sake of their families (de Beauvoir, 1949).
• Reader-Response Theory : Finally, a reader-response interpretation of the story would focus on the way that individual readers respond to the story and the meanings that they derive from it. This approach emphasizes the subjective nature of interpretation and the way that readers bring their own experiences and perspectives to the text (Iser, 1978).

Questions and Thesis Statements about “The Rocking Horse Winner” by D.H. Lawrence

Short Question-Answer “The Rocking Horse Winner” by D.H. Lawrence

• What is the significance of the title “The Rocking Horse Winner” in the story?

The title “The Rocking Horse Winner” is significant in the story because it introduces the central metaphor of the narrative. The rocking horse represents the characters’ desire for wealth and success, and the term “winner” suggests the theme of competition that pervades the story. The title also hints at the tragic consequences of the characters’ obsession with money, as the pursuit of wealth ultimately leads to Paul’s downfall. Overall, the title sets the tone for the story and prepares the reader for the haunting, surreal quality of the narrative.

• How does D.H. Lawrence use symbolism in “The Rocking Horse Winner” to convey the story’s themes?

D.H. Lawrence uses symbolism extensively in “The Rocking Horse Winner” to convey the story’s themes of greed, materialism, and the destructive power of obsession. The rocking horse, for example, serves as a metaphor for the characters’ desire for wealth and success, while the whispers that Paul hears in his home represent the voices of consumerism and societal pressure. The character of Paul himself can be seen as a symbol of the dangers of valuing material possessions over human relationships, while his mother represents the negative effects of consumerism on interpersonal dynamics. By using symbolism, Lawrence creates a rich, complex narrative that encourages the reader to think deeply about the story’s central themes.

• How does “The Rocking Horse Winner” reflect the societal pressures of its time?

“The Rocking Horse Winner” reflects the societal pressures of its time by highlighting the emphasis placed on wealth and status during the early 20th century. The characters in the story are driven by a desire for material possessions and social status, and their obsession with money leads to their downfall. The story can be seen as a critique of the consumerism and materialism that characterized the period, as well as a commentary on the destructive effects of societal pressure and conformity. By depicting the negative consequences of valuing wealth over human relationships, Lawrence encourages the reader to consider the priorities that truly matter in life.

• What is the significance of the ending of “The Rocking Horse Winner”?

The ending of “The Rocking Horse Winner” is significant because it highlights the tragic consequences of the characters’ obsession with money. Paul’s death and his mother’s eventual realization of the harm that her consumerist desires have caused create a haunting, surreal atmosphere that lingers long after the story has ended. The ending also underscores the theme of the destructive power of greed and materialism, as Paul’s attempts to win money and his mother’s desire for wealth ultimately lead to their downfall. The ambiguous, dream-like quality of the ending further emphasizes the story’s central metaphor of the rocking horse and encourages the reader to consider the deeper meanings and themes of the narrative.

Literary Works Similar to “The Rocking Horse Winner” by D.H. Lawrence

• The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka: Gregor Samsa’s shocking transformation into a giant insect explores alienation, family burden, and the dehumanizing nature of modern society. Both stories center around a protagonist desperately trying to fulfill unobtainable expectations.
• “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson: This short story’s chilling portrayal of a seemingly ordinary town harboring a dark ritual of sacrifice highlights how adherence to tradition and conformity can perpetuate cruelty. Its focus on chance and the power of societal forces resonate with themes in “The Rocking Horse Winner.”
• Great Expectations by Charles Dickens: While more expansive in scope, this classic novel similarly explores the corrupting influence of wealth and social ambition. Pip’s journey from humble origins to a life of luxury mirrors Paul’s desperate desire to elevate his family’s status.
• The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger: Holden Caulfield’s disillusionment with the adult world and his cynicism about societal norms resonate with the underlying critique of materialism in Lawrence’s story. Both protagonists are sensitive souls navigating hostile environments.
• A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry: This play explores a family’s dreams and struggles for economic stability, offering a complex look at conflicting desires within a loving yet strained family dynamic. The Younger family’s aspirations for a better life echo the destructive desire for wealth in “The Rocking Horse Winner.”

Suggested Readings: “The Rocking Horse Winner” by D.H. Lawrence

Scholarly articles.

• Pinsker, Sanford. “Lawrence’s ‘The Rocking-Horse Winner’: A Reinterpretation.” D.H. Lawrence Review 30.2 (1999): 101-12. (Offers a more nuanced perspective on the motivations of Paul’s mother)
• Childs, Peter. Theories and Histories of Modernism . Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2008. (Provides context for understanding Lawrence’s writing within the wider Modernist literary movement)
• Balbert, Peter. D.H. Lawrence and the Phallic Imagination . Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 2001 (Includes in-depth analysis of “The Rocking Horse Winner” with a focus on psychoanalytic theory)

Websites and Resources

• The D.H. Lawrence Society of North America: Offers scholarly resources, articles, and information about upcoming conferences related to Lawrence’s work. ([invalid URL removed])
• The Literature Network: Features the full text of the story and a forum for discussion. ( https://www.online-literature.com/ )

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The Rocking-Horse Winner

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The Rocking-Horse Winner

Introduction.

The short story, “The Rocking-Horse Winner” by D.H. Lawrence is one of his most appreciated works. It first appeared in July 1926 in the magazine, Harper’s Bazaar . For the second time, the short story was published in a collection gathered by Lawrence’s friend, Lady Cynthia Asquith. 

Similarly, in The Rocking-Horse Winner , Lawrence argues about the risks involved in the lust for money and the worth of love in an ironic tone. He heightens the effect of his warning through the use of gothic elements and mocking expressions.

Historical Context

The rocking-horse winner summary.

The story “The Rocking-Horse Winner” begins with the introduction of a fatalist woman, Hester. She is not named in the beginning which predicts her passive nature. Without doing anything for the family, she thinks that Hester and her husband are unlucky. In the early part of their marriage, she loves her husband. However, she ceases to love him later on because she thinks that her unluckiness is due to her marriage and not professional failure.

Oscar then questions Paul about the horse he should bet on in the upcoming horse racing event. Paul tells him to bet on Daffodil which is an unknown horse. However, he requests him to keep this luck game hidden from his mother and everyone. Oscar assures to keep his secret. Furthermore, Paul says that he is betting three hundred pounds on the horse and two hundred pounds are reserved with him. This news shocks Oscar. Paul ensures that he has made a huge amount of money in this game and it is safe with Bassett.

Paul thinks that their unstable life is due to money issues. However, they suffer because of the lack of love and attention of their mother, and their greed for material wealth. To please Hester, he decides to send her some payment indirectly. Therefore, he gives five thousand pounds to Oscar who takes the money to a bank. The bank will send her one thousand pounds every year on her birthday. Paul thinks that it is going to be the best gift for her. After receiving it, she will be happier than ever. Also, the house may stop whispering because it is still conveying the gloomy concern for wealth although Hester has begun a job.

When Hester looks at the wildness in Paul’s eyes, she suggests him to go to the seaside for some refreshment. She is worried because he has intensely involved himself in horse racing. However, he turns down her concern saying that he is normal. He reassures Hester that she does not need to worry about him. Furthermore, Paul explains that he cannot leave the house before his next grand horsing race. His denial of leaving the house also depicts Paul’s attachment with his rocking-horse. As he grows, his mother shifts him from nursery to his bedroom. Paul protests to have his rocking horse shifted with him. Though, Hester is resistant upon the decision because Paul is too old for a toy horse now. However, he says that he wants to keep it as his companion unless he gets himself a real horse.

After some time, Paul’s physical condition is unstable. Hester is really worried about him. At this critical stage, we see in Hester a caring mother but it is too late for her love. She also thinks that her heart has turned into a stone. Furthermore, Bassett brings the news that Paul has won the bet. He informs him that Malabar won the race and earned them about eighty thousand pounds. Then Paul questions about his being lucky and seeks for his mother’s approval. He also reveals to Hester that by riding the rocking-horse violently he becomes fortunate. As an answer, she feels quite sorry that she was unaware of his condition and struggles. However, it is too late and Paul passes away at night.

Themes in The Rocking-Horse Winner

Class conflict, hard work and luck relationship.

Although his efforts are also a waste of energy and hard work, he does not sit and complain. Paul is paid for his extreme physical torture and his madness for work to find luck. Through this, he gains an enormous amount of wealth but no mental and emotional satisfaction. In the end, he turns out to be quite unlucky because in his useless struggle for the material wealth he breathes his last. Suppose, if he were fortunate, he would have bet any horse without thinking once and he would have won it. On the contrary, he passes through extreme physical torture to come to know about the winning horse. Otherwise, his luck simply fades away and he badly loses. His gains are not due to his luck but because of his sacrifice and hard work. Eventually, he pays for all of those riches.

Greed for Material World

Family relationship, gender roles, the rocking-horse winner characters analysis.

Likewise, Hester is not a devoted and caring mother. She is only concerned about appearances. Her children recognize her as a “lack”. It means that she only thinks about how others perceive her rather than true feelings. Hester and the children know that she is not a good mother and a devoted wife. However, she does not want the people to perceive her as a failed mom. She is cold and indifferent towards her children while Paul yearns for her love. For her love, he goes to such extremes that lead to his destruction. We can say that a materialistic mother becomes death for her child.

Oscar Cresswell

Oscar is  somewhat a confusing figure. It is because he sometimes seems to care about his nephew while other times his greed overcomes him. For example, in the beginning, he humors Paul’s betting game and appears to be a liberal person. On the other hand, he is also anxious that gambling may ruin his life and it is not a better thought. Despite the knowledge, he does not forbid Paul and lets him tread towards death.

Moreover, he is a greedy person who values material wealth over relationships. For instance, he even takes his tip share while Paul has his last time. He also advises Paul to send some money from the games to his mother. He only uses Paul’s luck and abilities to his advantage. However, when he is dead, instead of being depressed he tells Hester that she is better off having such huge money than having an evil souled son.

Bassett is the family’s gardener. He is a humble man with religious views. He is a young boy who wounded his leg in World War I. After the war, he began working for Paul’s family through Uncle Oscar’s reference. Bassett served under Oscar’s command in the battle. He works with Paul and Oscar and arranges gambling bets for him because Paul asks Bassett to work for him. He values Paul and keeps his money safe with him. He also keeps his betting hidden upon Paul’s order. Bassett’s character presents a simple and subservient person who is easily led by everyone according to their demands.

Hester’s Husband

The rocking-horse winner literary analysis, plot analysis, rising action.

Paul internalizes his mother’s philosophy in his mind who says that his parents are not lucky people. Hester realizes to him their miserable financial status. She tells him that those who have money are lucky people. He also hallucinates that the house whispers about the lack of wealth. Therefore, he decides to prove himself lucky in his mother’s eyes.

Complication

Oscar learns about Paul’s gambling on horse racing along with the gardener Bassett. He is confused about the whole situation. For instance, on the one hand, he feels that gambling is not good for his family’s health because evil never thrives. On the other hand, his greed overcomes him and he becomes a partner with Paul to gain some wealth.

Falling Action

In the end, he identifies the name of the winning horse that is Malabar. After this, he falls from his rocking horse and has a severe fit of brain fever. Within a few days, he dies but wins the bet and leaves 80,000 pounds for his mother.

Setting of the Story

The short story “The Rocking-Horse Winner” is in the structure of classic gothic fiction. The gothic elements include whispering house, Paul’s strange glowing eyes, his supernatural way of predicting horses’ names, and Paul’s tragic death.

Point of View

Writing form.

Lawrence weaves his “The Rocking-Horse Winner” in an allegorical framework in which various mysteries remain unfolded. For example, the rocking horse can be taken as an evil force. Also, we can consider it a simple toy turned wild by its owner or it can be anything else.

Symbolism and Devices

Oedipal complex, the rocking horse.

Likewise, Paul’s toil on the rocking horse symbolizes his futile efforts to gain wealth. For example, his violent rocking on the horse does not yield any true movement. He is just blindly following what others say and it has no prospect. The horse also symbolizes the dangers of yearning for materialism, money, status, and love. Just like Hester, Paul thinks that with the material wealth he will find love and affection. For this, he relies on a useless object that brings his early death.

Money and Materialism

Lawrence, through the course of the novel, shows that money does not bring love or luck. As Paul gifts his mother lots of money, she still desires more instead of being happy. Consequently, Paul does not gain what he longs for but finds a tragic end. Similarly, Hester’s quest for materialism deprives her of the only son. With the captivating tale of the interwoven money-luck relationship, the writer warns the people about the risks and dangers of greed. It increases distances among intimate family members and shifts their attention to useless things.

Religious Taste

“The Rocking-Horse Winner” has a slight Christian tinge. For instance, the gardener Bassett is represented as a modest religious figure. He considers Paul as a chosen person of God because He has given him extraordinary abilities. He can guess future bets and wins them also.

More From D. H. Lawrence

Short stories.

Love and Luck in “The Rocking-Horse Winner” by David Herbert Lawrence Essay

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Book Summary

Works cited.

The Rocking-Horse Winner describes a young boy’s search for luck and love in a world with no love. Paul has a gift of picking the winning horse in horse races. His mother, Hester, in contrary, has no luck and even though she is outwardly successful, she is troubled by a feeling of failure.

The family’s expenditure exceeds its income and creates unspoken tension and this affects the relationships in the family. Paul and his two sisters recognize this tension and Paul even alleges that he can hear the house whispering, “ There must be more money ” (Lawrence, 1926).

Paul informs his uncle (Oscar) and Bassett, the gardener, about his luck on betting in horses: he has been betting using his pocket money and has won and accumulated some money. Both men place huge bets on the horse Paul identifies to be a potential winner. After their win, Paul and Bassett give Paul’s mother a very expensive gift, but this makes her spend more money, this upsets Paul and he works harder to be lucky.

As a Derby race nears, Paul strives to know the name of the winning horse. He does this by riding his rocking horse so that he can get to a state in which he can be sure about the winning horse. He remains sick on the day of the Derby but Bassett places bets on the horse that was identified by Paul, and even places a bet for Paul. The horse wins and Paul wins eighty thousand pounds, however, he dies at night.

The Rocking-Horse Winner presents a society in search of love and luck and this is evident from a number of characters. The main characters in the short story, Paul and Hester, are in search of love. Paul’s mother, Hester, entered marriage with a handsome man because of love, but the love died. Even though she has three children out of the marriage, she could not love them, and does not even love herself for she is troubled by a feeling of failure.

The closest she ever comes to finding love is through her son, Paul, but she rejects him too. Indeed, her lack of love for her children is shown when the author writes, “only she herself knew that at the centre of her heart was a hard little place that could not feel love, no, not for anybody” (Lawrence, 1926). While everyone thinks of her as a great parent, only she knows that her heart is hard and cannot love, not even her children who need it very much. To her, success and happiness means getting more money.

Hester’s desire for material wealth surpasses that of other important things such as love and self-knowledge. Her desire for money is insatiable, instead, they lead to disastrous results when she confuses money with love. In her pursuit of more money, Hester loses some basic family values.

Her main aim is to bring up her children in a flamboyant lifestyle, as a result, her relationship with her children and husband dies. Whenever she gets money, she overspends it. Although the family lives in a “pleasant house” complete with servants and a nurse, they take them as show off objects. Hester’s uncontrollable spending creates tensions inside the household and this is personified by the whispering sounds that seem to come out the house and say “there must be more money” (Lawrence, 1926).

Paul’s talk with his mother about luck makes him believe that her mother’s love can only be won with money and luck. She makes a strong connection with luck and money. When Paul asks her whether luck was money, she replies, “It’s what causes you to have money” (Lawrence, 1926). From this talk, Paul concludes that his luck would make her happy, and this would translate to love. In contrary, she becomes greedier and is more concerned about money than loving her son (Snodgrass, pp. 196).

Paul’s ability to identify the winning horse pulls Oscar and Bassett into the betting business. Paul would get onto a rocking boat and rock continuously, like he was part of the race, until he got into a state in which he was sure of the winning horse. At the final race, Paul drives himself harder and harder to identify the winning horse.

His mother’s insatiability and whispering house drives him to try more and more as he knew that he would achieve two important things if he identified the winning horse: make his mother happy, and win her love. Paul’s desperate actions are an attempt to win love from his hard-hearted mother.

These efforts leave him sick and weak. After Bassett tells him that he had won eighty thousand pounds from the derby race, he tells his mother, “…did I ever tell you? I am lucky!” to which the mother replies, “No, you never did” (Lawrence, 1926), this proves that Hester never loved her children, especially Paul. Paul dies that night after failing to win his mother’s love.

Lawrence, David Herbert Richards. The Rocking-Horse Winner. In The Norton Introduction to Literature. Alison Booth and Kelly J. Mays, eds. Portable 10th ed. New York: Norton, 2011. Print.

Snodgrass, William de Witt. A Rocking-Horse: The Symbol, the Pattern, the Way to Live. The Hudson Review, Vol. 11, No. 2, 1958, pp. 191-200.

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IvyPanda. (2018, October 10). Love and Luck in "The Rocking-Horse Winner" by David Herbert Lawrence. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-rocking-horse-winner/

"Love and Luck in "The Rocking-Horse Winner" by David Herbert Lawrence." IvyPanda , 10 Oct. 2018, ivypanda.com/essays/the-rocking-horse-winner/.

IvyPanda . (2018) 'Love and Luck in "The Rocking-Horse Winner" by David Herbert Lawrence'. 10 October.

IvyPanda . 2018. "Love and Luck in "The Rocking-Horse Winner" by David Herbert Lawrence." October 10, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-rocking-horse-winner/.

1. IvyPanda . "Love and Luck in "The Rocking-Horse Winner" by David Herbert Lawrence." October 10, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-rocking-horse-winner/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Love and Luck in "The Rocking-Horse Winner" by David Herbert Lawrence." October 10, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-rocking-horse-winner/.

“The Rocking Horse-Winner” Essays

In “the rocking horse-winner,” does the protagonist, paul, receive a sense of love, satisfaction, and security with his single pursuit of money, popular essay topics.

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The Rocking-Horse Winner, Essay Example

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D.H. Lawrence’s famous short story “The Rocking Horse Winner” (1926) is a profoundly moving and successful story. Part of its success can be attributed to the fact that story is told from an omniscient viewpoint. This gives the story a feeling of being objective and lures the reader into a sense of being the “judge” of the characters in the story and the interpreter of the action that is narrated. The story would not have functioned correctly if Lawrence had decided to tell it through a 1st person narrative because part of the theme of the story is that each of the characters are blind to their own inner-nature. This means that if Lawrence had decided to tell the story in first-person using Hester, Basset, or Oscar as the narrator they would have had to have been “unreliable” narrators and the story is so focused on the theme of greed and exploitation that it benefits from using the reliable omniscient narrator. In fact, the sue of this narrative voice is almost like showing the reader an unadulterated vision of the family, as though the reader is viewing everything from a god-like vantage point.

If Lawrence had tot ell the story from a first-person point of view, the best bet might have been to use Bassett as the narrator because he could at least show what the situation looked like from the “common man’s” perspective. Because it is so necessary to show the materialism that is part of the Cresswell household, Bassett would be a good candidate to relate this aspect to the reader. Using Hester would be the worst idea because the story is not only about gambling and materialism, but about the nature of the destructive relationship between Hester and her son, Paul. As Greg Bentley points out in his study “Hester and the Homo-Social Order: An Uncanny Search for Subjectivity in D. H. Lawrence’s “The Rocking-Horse Winner” (2010) the story “centers on the way the young boy’s neurosis directly results from his relationship with his mother.” (Bentley). Therefore, the story would not work if told from Paul’s perspective because it would not allow the reader to fully experience Hester’s hypocrisy.

Works Cited

Bentley, Greg. “Hester and the Homo-Social Order: An Uncanny Search for Subjectivity in D. H. Lawrence’s “The Rocking-Horse Winner”” D.H. Lawrence Review 34-35 (2010): 55+.

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The Rocking-Horse Winner

By d.h. lawrence, the rocking-horse winner summary and analysis of the introduction.

The introduction of the story deals with Paul 's mother, Hester , who is described as a woman constantly dissatisfied with her material possessions and her family. Raised in a well-to-do family, she seems to have achieved all that would be expected of one of her social standing by marrying a husband of similar standing, having children, and owning a respectable house. However, she feels herself unable to love her children, a feeling which seems to her as though the core of her heart had turned to stone.

It would seem to her that this was a secret kept from everyone else, who must think her very happy and loving with all that she has, but her children are actually able sense her lack of love for them along with her anxiety about money, which they hear as a voice whispering in their house, "There must be more money!" They come to realize that each is aware of all these tensions by reading each other's eyes.

The family is not poor per se, but nevertheless manages to mire itself in debt and the consequent stress due to the high tastes which Paul's father and mother have. There is the possibility that Paul's father could make up for these expenditures by advancing in his work, what with certain "good prospects" he has, but none of these ever come to anything. Eventually Paul's mother gives up hoping for any advancement from her husband and so decides to try to make some money herself. However, she does not know how to, and the mounting stress of having to finance her children's expensive education at private schools, as would be expected of a family of her standing, makes her more and more bitter and desirous for money.

The voice of the house, which echoes Paul's mother's desires - "There must be more money!" - comes not only from the house itself but also the children's various toys, such as a doll, a stuffed-animal puppy, and of course, the rocking-horse. Everyone in the house can tell that everyone else can hear the voice, since they can see it in each other's eyes. Yet they never make explicit mention of it, because it is so pervasive and apparent, just like the air they breathe.

The opening sentence of the story sets the reader into a fable-like mood of generality and timelessness: "There was a woman who was beautiful, who started with all the advantages, yet she had no luck." It is not until the very last paragraph that we learn the name of this woman, Hester, who is for most of the story referred to as "Paul's mother." This suggests that we the readers may not be able to identify the protagonist of this story as easily as we would in other, more conventionally written stories. That Paul's mother is the first character to be introduced and the one whose life frames the story would seem to mean that she is the protagonist; yet almost all of the action centers on Paul. Looking to the title for help makes the case yet more ambiguous, for the rocking-horse is a gift bought by Paul's mother for Paul, and the money from Paul's winnings go to his mother. Therefore, the safest answer may be that the central figure of the story is not one character or another, but the mother-son relationship and the desire for money itself. We could say that Lawrence is more concerned in this story with relationship dynamics than with particular personalities.

One could ask very simply how the story would be different if Paul's mother were just "Hester," a single woman, rather than, in all cases but one, "Paul's mother," a woman who must care for her family. It is no coincidence that the haunting repeated phrase of the story comes in the context of family: "Her children were growing up, they would have to go to school. There must be more money, there must be more money." Paul's mother is not a woman of exceptional selfishness or materialistic desire; her dissatisfaction and want are always involved in her total social being, the most important part of which is her family life, as symbolized by the house, their family's main material possession and container for all other possessions. The tormenting whispers of the house are the same whispers of society as the yet larger environment in which the characters live and struggle to keep up in style.

Yet it is significant that the whispers do not come only from an unspecific voice of the house, but also from particular objects such as the rocking-horse; for although they can hear the house, Paul and his sisters cannot do anything to interact with the house directly. It is through a specific household object that Paul intuitively attempts to communicate with and placate the house. It would be helpful to consider the four main voices in this story: the house's, the horse's (telling Paul the name of the winning horse), Paul's (yelling the winning horse's name in the climactic scene), and Uncle Oscar 's (telling Paul's mother that she is "a poor devil of a son to the bad"). Obviously the voices of the house and horse do not come from particular personalities, but as they are presented, neither do Paul's and Uncle Oscar's. Paul's is a mad, ecstatic cry which seems to come from somewhere beyond him, and Uncle Oscar's words seem but an echo in Paul's mother's mind.

The Rocking-Horse Winner Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for The Rocking-Horse Winner is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

The word “Winner” in the title of the story, “The Rocking Horse Winner.” Is it verbal, situational, or dramatic irony?

It is both verbal and situational. Both ironies com into focus with the winning horse on the boy's lips as he slips into death.

Review the story, looking for lines in which Lawrence describes Paul's eyes. What does this repeated image draw attention to?

The imagery relates to Paul's unhealthy and perhaps unholy obsession with riding his horse. When Paul first begins to ride his rocking-horse, his eyes are described as being “close-set” and having “a strange glare.” The rocking-horse’s eyes, are...

Story Review Template Name: Group: Title: Author: All questions must be answered in full sentences. 1. What type of story is it? For example, is it comedy, horror, detective, science fiction, romance etc.? 2. Why do p

What type of story is it? For example, is it comedy, horror, detective, science fiction, romance etc.?

The story is a good example of fantasy mixed with reality: a genre called magic realism.

Study Guide for The Rocking-Horse Winner

The Rocking-Horse Winner study guide contains a biography of D. H. Lawrence, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About The Rocking-Horse Winner
• The Rocking-Horse Winner Summary
• Character List

Essays for The Rocking-Horse Winner

The Rocking-Horse Winner essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of The Rocking-Horse Winner by D. H. Lawrence.

• The Ride of His Life
• A Boy and His Horse: The Oedipal Complex at Work
• The Interesting Id: A Freudian Analysis of the Mother Complex in Lawrence’s Works
• Commentary on the Iniquities of Consumerism and Materialism
• Discord Between Love and Avarice

Lesson Plan for The Rocking-Horse Winner

• About the Author
• Study Objectives
• Common Core Standards
• Introduction to The Rocking-Horse Winner
• Relationship to Other Books
• Bringing in Technology
• Notes to the Teacher
• Related Links
• The Rocking-Horse Winner Bibliography

Wikipedia Entries for The Rocking-Horse Winner

• Introduction