Money cannot buy happiness-- almost everyone has heard this old adage. Nevertheless, people still try to supplement the lack of joy in their lives with material goods and money. Many times, this strategy proves more harmful than helpful. Materialism often conflicts with humans innate need for love and acceptance; D.H. Lawrence’s short story, “The Rocking Horse Winner” embodies this conflict between love and materialism. The main character, Paul, lives with his mother, Hester; two unnamed sisters; and his father in “a pleasant house… and [they] felt themselves superior to anyone in the neighbourhood” (1). However, the family constantly feels as though they do not have enough money. Paul notices his mother’s unhappiness with the issue and promises
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By riding on his rocking-horse, Paul can somehow “know” the winner of the race; this ability proves extremely lucrative. Eventually, Paul decides to give some of his winnings to his mother with the help of his uncle and the family lawyer. Hester receives the money, but immediately wants more. As Hester demands more and more money, Paul’s mental and physical health deteriorates, culminating in Paul’s death immediately after the climax of the story: Paul’s huge winnings at the Derby. Hester’s constant need for material satisfaction conflicts with Paul’s need for her love and acceptance. Throughout the story, D. H. Lawrence uses various objects as symbols, as well as the characterization of Hester, to represent the theme of conflict between materialism and the human need for love and …show more content…
The rocking horse symbolizes how materialistic pursuits can completely dominate a person’s life. After Paul dies, his uncle remarks that “he’s best gone out of a life where he rides his rocking-horse to find a winner” (14). Paul’s short and miserable life revolved around riding the rocking-horse in order to satisfy his mother’s material needs and “earn” her love. His need for his mother’s love came into conflict with her need for material satisfaction and monetary gain. Much like his rocking horse, which never moved forwards, only back and forth, Paul never really accomplished anything in his quest to earn his mother’s love. Additionally, the house represents his mother’s constant need for more money. Early in the story, “the house came to be haunted by the unspoken phrase: there must be more money” (1). The house symbolizes the mother’s constant need for money, which Paul both comes to both despise and serve. The house’s constant whispering torments Paul and his sisters, their childhood home more frightening than comforting. Lastly, the color green symbolizes money and the persistent lack of it in the household. Near the end of the story, Hester discovers her son “in his green pyjamas, madly surging on the rocking horse” (13). Additionally, Hester wears a “dress of pale green and crystal” (13).
By riding on his rocking-horse, Paul can somehow “know” the winner of the race; this ability proves extremely lucrative. Eventually, Paul decides to give some of his winnings to his mother with the help of his uncle and the family lawyer. Hester receives the money, but immediately wants more. As Hester demands more and more money, Paul’s mental and physical health deteriorates, culminating in Paul’s death immediately after the climax of the story: Paul’s huge winnings at the Derby. Hester’s constant need for material satisfaction conflicts with Paul’s need for her love and acceptance. Throughout the story, D. H. Lawrence uses various objects as symbols, as well as the characterization of Hester, to represent the theme of conflict between materialism and the human need for love and …show more content…
The rocking horse symbolizes how materialistic pursuits can completely dominate a person’s life. After Paul dies, his uncle remarks that “he’s best gone out of a life where he rides his rocking-horse to find a winner” (14). Paul’s short and miserable life revolved around riding the rocking-horse in order to satisfy his mother’s material needs and “earn” her love. His need for his mother’s love came into conflict with her need for material satisfaction and monetary gain. Much like his rocking horse, which never moved forwards, only back and forth, Paul never really accomplished anything in his quest to earn his mother’s love. Additionally, the house represents his mother’s constant need for more money. Early in the story, “the house came to be haunted by the unspoken phrase: there must be more money” (1). The house symbolizes the mother’s constant need for money, which Paul both comes to both despise and serve. The house’s constant whispering torments Paul and his sisters, their childhood home more frightening than comforting. Lastly, the color green symbolizes money and the persistent lack of it in the household. Near the end of the story, Hester discovers her son “in his green pyjamas, madly surging on the rocking horse” (13). Additionally, Hester wears a “dress of pale green and crystal” (13).