The Rocking Horse Winner Analysis Essay

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The Rocking Horse Winner by D. H. Lawrence, is a short story(?) narrated in omniscience third person, set in an early twentieth-century English society featuring Paul, a boy from a seemingly well-off family, Paul has worthy intentions, and should not be blamed for the choices he makes, only pitied, as his role models make it impossible for him to realize what true love or happiness is. Paul’s fixation with luck originates from the materialistic values displayed to him through his unloving mother and absent father, leading to Paul being taken advantage of by his Uncle Oscar and Bassett, and ultimately resulting in his death.
Hester, Paul’s mother, freely admits to herself that she does not love her children, and demonstrates to Paul her value …show more content…

Oscar treats Paul older than he is, and is not angry when Bassett informs him that Paul has been betting. When Paul asks Uncle Oscar if he oughtn’t to, Uncle Oscar responds, “Not a bit of it! I thought perhaps you might give me a tip for the Lincoln” (92). As Paul’s prominent male role model, Uncle Oscar should have put a stop to the betting, instead, uses Paul by asking for a betting tip. Paul admires Uncle Oscar and invites him to join the partnership between Bassett and himself, reasoning to Oscar “you must be lucky, because it was your ten shillings I started winning with.…” (93). Because Paul used the ten shillings that his Uncle Oscar gave him to win, and his mother’s warped view of material wealth and luck being intertwined, Paul looks up to Uncle Oscar and considers him lucky; however, Uncle Oscar is selfish and motivated by …show more content…

Bassett shows up when Uncle Oscar does not, seemingly showing a closer relationship between the two, as well it was Bassett who Paul went to initially with the betting idea; however, Bassett is actually only bringing news of their winnings. Though Bassett came when Oscar did not (99), he only came to announce Paul’s winnings. It shows that it is ultimately the profit that is truly important to him, as Bassett informs Paul that he personally bet as well: “I went a thousand on it, Master Paul” (100). Bassett’s value of profit is evidenced when he comes to visit, as he brings news of the win and how much money was made, but shows little concern for Paul, who is on his

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