Ghost In The Rocking Horse Winner

In reading The Rocking-Horse Winner and How to Read Literature Like a Professor, an overarching similarity between these two works can be seen with the presence of a type of ghost in the household (as described by the third chapter in Foster’s work). This ghost deviates from the traditional definition and represents that which is ubiquitous in contemporary, as well as past, life. Foster describes ghosts as ideas or acts that weigh down upon characters and “haunt” them, so to speak. The ghost in The Rocking-Horse Winner is the constant, unspoken reminder of the lack of money in the household. Lawrence uses this haunting spirit to propel the story and develop the characters. Throughout his piece, Lawrence uses the constant reminder of the lack …show more content…
Throughout the story, it is found that the presence of more money did not alleviate the ghost’s effect; rather it seemed to magnify its power. Despite this, Paul continues to tap into his otherworldly power, yet allows an episode of failure to overtake him. In an attempt to regain his winning streak, Paul allows other beings to cross the threshold: vampires.
In the end, Paul becomes a victim of vampires. This of course is playing off of Foster’s definition of a vampire, an area, being, or idea that consumes one emotionally, mentally, or physically. The vampire that annihilated Paul was the obsession with gambling. Paul allows himself to be overtaken by his addiction as well as the aftereffects of a dark deal (that which granted him the power to predict the winning horse). By displaying Paul succumbing to his vampiric vices, Lawrence reiterates the ill-effects of falling prey to and addictions.
Overall, both works contain rich references to unseen atrocities and otherworldly tormentors. The comparison of these two pieces of literature allows one to see the similarities between the references and reiterates the lesson warning about the presence of ghosts and vampires and their damaging