The Rocking Horse 'And The Lottery'

Everyone wants to be a winner. From athletes, soldiers, politicians, lawyers and businessman: no one likes to lose. Even while we are playing make believe on the playground, we are conditioned to excel and taught the importance of winning. Alfred Hitchcock, “The Master of Suspense and Horror” has a very different interpretation of winning: “There is nothing to winning, really. That is, if you happen to be blessed with a keen eye, an agile mind, and no scruples whatsoever.” (Kirov pg.5) While exploring the literary works “The Rocking Horse “ by D. H. Lawrence and “ The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson the reader can evaluate the dramatic struggle of having a euphoric win with the psychological trauma of a loss. What is love? That question

If the desire is allowed to grow without boundaries it can lead to other sins such as cheating, stealing and even murder. Paul believes if he rides the rocking horse fast enough it will in his delirium state “predict winners” (Lawrence) at the track. It is not long before Mr. Bassett discovers Paul’s gift and starts to exploit the information for his own gain. Uncle Oscar in a twist of fate ask one day the name of the horse Paul rocking. When Paul answers with a rather odd name, his uncle realizes it was a current winner. He soon teams up with Mr. Bassett and they make a “tidy profit.”(Lawrence) During this time, Paul too saves diligently and amasses five thousand pounds. He wants the gift to be anonymous, perhaps giving his mother a steady yearly income of a thousand pounds over five years. When she demands it all at once, Paul gives her his entire fortune as a birthday gift. Paul’s then confesses a dark secret to his mother. He gambles so he can be the lucky, hence replacing his father as the man of the house and gaining once again his mother’s affection. Sadly the money only makes his mother more materialistic. Heartbroken and angry Paul loses his ability to predict and his only way to his mother’s