Table of Contents
Explanation and Analysis of 'The Rocking Horse Winner' by D.H. Lawrence
Introduction
The Rocking Horse Winner is a short story written by D.H.
Lawrence. It talks about a young boy named Paul who tries to bring luck
and money to his family. The story is sad and mysterious. It shows how the
desire for money can ruin peace and love in a home.
The House That Whispered
In the beginning, we learn about a house that seems to whisper, “There must be more money.” This strange whisper never stops. It is not loud, but it feels strong. The house seems alive. It shows how unhappy and greedy the family is. The mother feels unlucky. She thinks her husband cannot earn enough. Though they have money, they always want more.
Paul’s Secret Mission
Paul, the boy, wants to help. He sees his mother’s worry. He believes that if he becomes “lucky”, he can bring her happiness. But how does he do it? He rides a rocking horse. Not a real one. A toy. He rides it so fast that he goes into a kind of trance. And then he knows the name of the horse that will win the race. Strange, right?
He tells the name to a man named Bassett, who works for the family. They place bets. They win money. A lot of it. But the mother is still not happy. The house still whispers.
The More He Wins, the More She Wants
Paul becomes more and more tired. He rides harder and harder. He thinks he can finally become lucky. He wants to prove to his mother that he is worth something. He gives her a huge amount of money. But instead of peace, the whisper in the house grows louder.
The Shocking End
At the Derby race, Paul rides his horse harder than ever. He finds the winning name — “Malabar.” He wins. But the ride costs him his life. Paul becomes very sick. Before he dies, he tells his mother the winning name. He says, “I am lucky!” And then he dies. He gives his life to bring money and love to his mother.
Analysis – What the Story Teaches Us
1. Money is not everything
Paul wins a lot of money. But no one is happy. His mother is still cold.
The house is still not calm. The whispering never stops. Money cannot buy
peace or love.
2. Love must be shown
Paul loved his mother. But she never showed true love in return. Paul
tried so hard. He gave all he had. But what he needed was simple care, not
money.
3. Be careful with wishes
The story shows what happens when people chase luck too much. Paul wanted
to be lucky. But in the end, it took away his life.
Final Thought
The Rocking Horse Winner is a powerful tale. It uses a child’s
eyes to show how families can fall apart when love is replaced by greed.
It warns us — never let money become more important than people.
SUMMARY OF THE STORY 'THE ROCKING HORSE WINNER'
With the help of the family gardener, Bassett, and his Uncle Oscar, Paul starts betting on races and wins large sums of money. He secretly gives this money to his mother in hopes of making her happy, but her desire for more wealth only grows stronger.
As Paul becomes more obsessed with finding the winning horse for the big Derby race, he pushes himself to exhaustion. In a final attempt, Paul rides his rocking-horse furiously to determine the winner—Malabar. Although he wins a huge sum of money, the effort takes a toll on him, and he falls seriously ill. Paul dies shortly after, leaving his family wealthy but at a great personal cost.
Understanding the Expressions in the Story The Rocking-Horse Winner
In The Rocking-Horse Winner by D.H. Lawrence, several expressions and phrases carry deeper meanings. Understanding them helps readers grasp the characters’ thoughts and the story’s message more clearly. Below is a list of key expressions from the story, along with simple explanations suitable for class 7 students.
1. "There must be more money!"
Meaning: This sentence repeats throughout the story. It shows how strongly the house—and the people in it—seem to be crying out for more money. It represents the family's constant worry about not having enough.
2. "The house came to be haunted by the unspoken phrase."
Meaning: The house feels full of pressure and tension. Even though no one says it aloud, the desire for more money is always present.
3. "She married for love, and the love turned to dust."
Meaning: The mother married her husband expecting a happy life, but her feelings faded. She became unhappy and disappointed.
4. "He went off by himself, vaguely, in a childish way, seeking for luck."
Meaning: Paul tries to find luck, but he doesn’t fully understand what it means. He is still a child and acts based on feelings rather than clear thinking.
5. "He’s sure to know."
Meaning: Paul believes his rocking horse can magically tell him which horse will win the race. He thinks the horse helps him become “lucky.”
6. "I am lucky!"
Meaning: Paul says this near the end, believing he has finally earned his mother’s love through winning money. But the words are sad, because it costs him his life.
7. "The voices in the house suddenly went mad."
Meaning: This means the pressure and greed in the home became too much. The need for money grows louder and more dangerous.
8. "She felt the centre of her heart go hard."
Meaning: The mother becomes emotionally cold. She does not feel love easily anymore.
9. "It’s Malabar!"
Meaning: This is the name of the horse Paul bets on at the end. It becomes a symbol of both his final success and his tragic end.
10. "He’s best gone out of a life where he rides his rocking-horse to find a winner."
Meaning: Uncle Oscar says this at the end, meaning Paul was too young to carry such a heavy burden. His death is seen as a sad escape from pressure.
UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT (Q&A)
-
What was the reason for young Paul’s restlessness at the beginning of
the story? How did it find expression?
ANSWER:
Young Paul is restless at the beginning of the story because he was told by his mother that they were not lucky therefore don't have enough money to have a car and other luxuries of life. Besides young Paul had a feeling that deep down his mother was not as happy as she appeared to be. She blamed young Paul's father for not being lucky and making her unlucky as well because she was married to him.This restlessness found an expression in the form of young Paul riding his rocking horse and mentally intensified thinking that he was lucky. While riding the horse young Paul appeared to posses some kind supernatural power and his eyes shone bright.
-
Why do you think Paul’s mother was not satisfied with the yearly
birthday gift of 1,000 pounds for five years?
ANSWER:
Paul's mother was not satisfied with the yearly birthday gift of 1000 pounds for five years because she was an unsatisfied lot. She always had the feeling that she deserved a better treatment from life and this resulted in not showing any enthusiasm for the handsome birthday gift from Paul. Instead Paul started to hear more whispers from the house for more money.
-
What was the reason for the anxiety of Paul’s mother as he grew
older?
ANSWER:
The anxiety of Paul's mother grew as Paul grew older because now his tense behaviour, and too much indulgence in horse races and betting was taking a toll on his health. She was very concerned so she inquired to her house maid Miss Wilmot about him in the middle of the party. She also tried to send away Paul to a boarding school so that he could focus more on his studies and less on horse races. Little did she realise that the Paul is the victim of her own making. His efforts to prove himself lucky and bring more money in the house took him to the border of autism and finally he paid for his schizophrenic with his life.
-
Paul’s final bet made the family rich but cost him his life.
Explain.
ANSWER:
Paul is a child who desperately seeks her mother's love and attention. He want to hear that unlike his father he is lucky. But the mother over burdened with the extra baggage of civility and modern lifestyle doesn't realise her child's intentions. Instead there was a feeling in the household that they need more money and even more money. Paul takes it upon himself to prove that he is lucky. He schizophrenically rides his rocking horse and imagines himself lucky. This he did frequently. Meanwhile he started betting on horse races with the help of Basset, their gardener. He bet only on the horses which he happened to know to be lucky during his frantic rocking horse ridings.As the events proceeded and he gifted his mother a handsome amount of 5000 pounds, the voices in the house for money grew louder. The pressure on him compelled to bet on races which he shouldn't have put his money in because he received no hint for the lucky horse from the rocking horse ridings. But he did bet and lost. This made him more morose. Before the Derby he was extremely schizophrenic to get a winner. He stopped eating and thought all the time about the race and winning. He spent much time on his rocking horse to get a clue. In the process he became autistic and seriously ill, but got his hint. He indicated Basset to bet on the horse Malabar and he won 80,000 pounds. But it all was a little too much for the young child and he died.
TALKING ABOUT THE TEXT (Q&A)
-
'Luck is necessary for success in life'.
ANSWER:
There are many who believe luck is important and one may find many such who believe in hard work. It is not though that those who believe in luck do not work hard. It is just that they believe in “do your best and God will do the rest However, there are those who completely blame their fate for everything and do not do anything to change or improve it. Still there are people that believe that hard work is greater than luck and that it has the power to change the destiny. One may find various beliefs around them and it depends on what they chose to believe in.
-
Although Paul's mother liked to be rich she did not approve of betting
on horses.
ANSWER:
Paul's mother foolishly wished to be rich and yet was not able to achieve or materialise her desire. She blamed it on her husband for being unlucky. However, she was one of those humans who do not tread as per their cloth. She was used to a lavish lifestyle and blamed her husband and misfortune for low income. Yet there was one thing appreciable about her that she was against gambling. She did remark in her conversation with her brother that she had seen her family members pursuing it and how it led to their fall. She advised her son to not indulge in it and made him promise that he will not think about racing horses any more.
-
What were the voices that Paul heard? Did they lead him to success in
the real sense?
ANSWER:
Although the house Paul and his family lived in was a pleasant one, the money they had was not enough to maintain the social position they had to keep up. The mother realised that father had no luck to make enough money so she decided to do something on her own. It was then that the house started whispering from every corner that “there must be more money The sounds started haunting the place and made Paul very uncomfortable and distressed and disturbed him. Though there were expensive gifts coming on Christmas, Paul could hear behind the shining rocking horse that “there must be more money It is plausible that Paul was schizophrenic and imagined the voices on being stressed due to their misery. As it is written in the text that no body said it aloud and there is no mention of anyone else hearing such voices, it is clear that Paul imagined his fears giving them voice. Paul's fear transferred into him through his mother constantly haunted him and became his driving force. The boy was oedipal and unknowingly wished to replace his father from his mother's life. So, the autistic boy drove his shinning horse ferociously until he “got there and would be sure of the horse that would win the next race. There were times when he was not sure, so he would be careful. The gardener Bassett was his partner throughout. Later even uncle Oscar joined as such was the conviction with which Paul used to declare the winning horse's name, and the horse used to win in actual. Call it clairvoyance or sheer luck, which he aspired to have to prove to be worthy of his mother's luck, Paul made money by betting on horses and finally left 80,000 pounds for his family by losing himself.
APPRECIATION
-
Examine the communication channels in the story between
a. Paul and his mother
b. Paul and Bassett
c. Paul and his uncle
d. Basset and Paul's uncle
e. Paul's mother and his uncle
ANSWER:
a. Paul and his mother shared the most intimate conversation through eyes. Though they were not actually love bound to each other as in the first paragraph, the author says that it was the children and the mother alone who knew that there was no love in their relation, they knew it because they read in each other's eyes.
b. The friendship of Paul and Bassett or to say more clearly their partnership was an affectionate relation between them. Bassett knew and understood what the rest failed to even notice. He brought all the news of racing horses to Paul and then the clairvoyant Paul will decide in his trance who was to be the winner.
c. Paul and uncle Oscar became partners soon after uncle discovers that Paul has an uncanny knowledge that makes him predict the winning horse. However, there is more to it, he realises that the whole betting thing was making Paul nervous and was hampering his health. However, Oscar Creswell asks Paul on how to win by betting, to which the child innocently replies that he just knows who is going to win once he “gets there".
d. Bassett and uncle Creswell shared a bond since long back. However, as Bassett had promised to Paul he never told about his betting to uncle Oscar as well. But later he found himself explaining things to Creswell and the three of them became partners.
e. It would be totally unfair to call Hester that harsh a lady for she did care about her children after all, however, she gave importance to materialistic gains. When she realised her sons obsession with the racing horses, she asked Bassett the gardener to keep Paul away from Oscar so it did not affect her son's health. She realised that the obsession was proving to be neurotic for her son and she wanted her son to be healthy and for that she risked her relation with her dear brother.
-
How has the author linked the symbol of the rocking-horse to Paul's triumphs at the races?
ANSWER:
The rocking-horse is one of the three symbols present in the story that Lawrence has dealt with throughout the story. The horse is symbolic of the victory that Paul achieves at last. The materialistic gain and the importance of money over love. The whispering that haunts Paul that “there must be more money and the rocking-horse are interrelated. The want of money to achieve the love of mother that he never had, he goes on betting and earning more and more, thus, proving his luck. The boy when asked his mother for what is luck, she explained him that luck is what brings one money. The boy is disheartened to know that his father has no luck and so will not make money. He is sad at the implication that he will never have his mother's love who is all consumed by indebtedness. The boy, autistic as he is, with some clairvoyance rides his horse harder and ferociously till he “gets there It shows his desperation to physically win his mother's love by winning the race and thus earning more money, as “there must be more money Post the ride, Paul will stand facing the horse with his legs apart and he would look at the bent head of the horse and its shining eyes. These interpret just one thing, the determination, the wanting, the longing for money. It is about success, money, love and most importantly, winning. And Paul gets it all, he wins and gets her mother the money through his triumphs in races. And he even found her love as she grew too concerned about her son's obsession with the races that eventually killed him.
-
The ending of the story is an instance of irony. Suppose Paul had not died at the end, how would you have reacted to the story?
ANSWER:
It is true that a tragedy digs a deeper mark than a happy ending. It causes an emotional catharsis in the audience. Had the story had a happy ending it would have been pleasant, however, the reader would not have felt the emotions and passion that drove Paul to his inevitable climax. Yet some may find it not justified to have killed the boy at the end of the story that went so well with Paul achieving what he wanted all the while, money and love both. He sacrificed his life to bring to his mother what his father couldn't and thus proved to be worthy of her affection, which hungered for. However, one can not have all the happiness in the world. They say that God is cruel when he gives us something, he gives it to us only with one had while taking away with the other our most cherished possession. So, it can not be said that the death of Paul was justified or other way round; however, it is ironical. Had he lived post the Derby win, who knows what shape the story might have taken. Maybe what happens happens for some good yet it would have brought the story to a happy ending had Paul lived.
Important Questions based on "The Rocking-Horse Winner" along with their answers
1. What role does luck play in the story, and how does it affect Paul’s
family?
Luck is central to the story, as Paul's mother believes it determines wealth. This belief drives Paul to seek luck through horse racing. Despite Paul winning money, the family's desire for wealth never diminishes, symbolizing the futility of their pursuit.
2. How does Paul try to gain his mother's love, and is he
successful?
Paul believes that winning money through horse races will make his mother happy and earn her love. However, despite his efforts, his mother remains emotionally distant, showing that material wealth cannot replace genuine affection.
3. What does the whispering of the house symbolize in the
story?
The whispering of the house symbolizes the constant, insatiable desire for money that haunts Paul's family. It reflects their anxiety over their financial situation and how their lives are consumed by materialism and greed.
4. How does Paul’s obsession with the rocking-horse reflect his mental
state?
Paul’s obsession with riding the rocking-horse reflects his growing desperation and anxiety to bring luck and wealth to his family. It symbolizes his loss of childhood innocence as he takes on the burden of adult financial worries.
5. Why does Paul choose not to tell his mother about his ability to
predict race winners?
Paul fears that if his mother knew about his "luck," she would stop him from racing. He also recognizes that her love for him is conditional and believes that giving her money will win her affection, a belief he cannot risk disrupting.
6. How does Paul’s relationship with his Uncle Oscar contrast with his
relationship with his mother?
Paul’s relationship with Uncle Oscar is more open, as Uncle Oscar encourages Paul's betting and even partners with him. In contrast, Paul’s relationship with his mother is distant and strained, as she is emotionally detached despite his efforts to please her.
7. What does the rocking-horse symbolize in the story?
The rocking-horse symbolizes Paul’s desperate attempt to gain control over his family’s fate and bring luck. It also represents his inner turmoil, as he sacrifices his health and childhood innocence to fulfill the family’s financial needs.
8. In what ways does materialism affect Paul’s mother’s character and
decisions?
Paul’s mother is consumed by her desire for wealth, which makes her cold and emotionally distant from her children. Her materialism drives Paul to extreme lengths to please her, yet it only increases her dissatisfaction, showing how it erodes relationships.
9. How does the story illustrate the theme of sacrifice?
Paul sacrifices his childhood, health, and ultimately his life in his quest to provide money for his family. His sacrifice, however, is in vain, as his mother’s insatiable desire for wealth leads to his downfall, illustrating the destructive nature of their materialism.
10. What is the significance of Paul’s final words, “It’s Malabar!” and
how do they reflect the story’s climax?
Paul's final words, “It’s Malabar!” signify his successful prediction of the Derby winner, but they also mark his tragic end. His intense focus on winning leads to his collapse, showing the ultimate futility of his quest for luck and wealth.
MCQs on The Rocking Horse Winner by D.H. Lawrence
What does the constant whispering of the house mainly represent?
a) The wind passing through the walls
b) The family's deep desire for more money
c) Paul’s imagination
d) The mother’s childhood memories
Answer: b) The family's deep desire for more money
Why does Paul ride the rocking horse so intensely?
a) He wants to beat his siblings
b) He enjoys playing with toys
c) He believes it helps him know the winner of horse races
d) He wants to escape reality
Answer: c) He believes it helps him know the winner of horse races
What is Paul’s understanding of being “lucky”?
a) Being born rich
b) Having a good education
c) Earning money through hard work
d) Winning money in horse races
Answer: d) Winning money in horse races
How is the mother described in the story?
a) Loving and kind
b) Poor but cheerful
c) Beautiful but cold-hearted
d) Honest and helpful
Answer: c) Beautiful but cold-hearted
What is the relationship between Paul and Bassett?
a) Bassett is his school teacher
b) Bassett is a servant who helps Paul place bets
c) Bassett is Paul's uncle
d) Bassett is a horse owner
Answer: b) Bassett is a servant who helps Paul place bets
Why does Paul feel the need to win money for his mother?
a) To help her buy a new house
b) Because he thinks she will love him if he brings luck
c) To support his education
d) To prove he is better than his father
Answer: b) Because he thinks she will love him if he brings luck
What is ironic about Paul’s death?
a) He dies before placing his first bet
b) He wins the biggest race but cannot enjoy the money
c) He dies in a real horse accident
d) His mother becomes poor after his death
Answer: b) He wins the biggest race but cannot enjoy the money
What does the rocking horse symbolise in the story?
a) Childhood and play
b) Wealth and power
c) Paul's desperate search for luck and control
d) A magical escape
Answer: c) Paul's desperate search for luck and control
Which horse race does Paul finally predict correctly before his death?
a) The Royal Cup
b) The Epsom
c) The Derby
d) The Ascot
Answer: c) The Derby
What does Paul say just before his death?
a) “Mother, forgive me.”
b) “Money can’t buy love.”
c) “I am lucky!”
d) “The house is quiet now.”
Answer: c) “I am lucky!”
Why does the whispering in the house become louder?
a) Because the family gets poorer
b) Because Paul wins less money
c) Because the mother spends more and desires more
d) Because Paul tells the secret
Answer: c) Because the mother spends more and desires more
What is one theme of the story?
a) True friendship lasts forever
b) Luck can solve all problems
c) Greed and the lack of love can destroy families
d) Children should not gamble
Answer: c) Greed and the lack of love can destroy families
How does Uncle Oscar respond to Paul’s betting success?
a) He is shocked and disapproves
b) He ignores it completely
c) He becomes involved and supports the betting
d) He tells Paul to stop
Answer: c) He becomes involved and supports the betting
What literary device is used when the house is described as whispering?
a) Simile
b) Alliteration
c) Hyperbole
d) Personification
Answer: d) Personification
What does Paul hope will happen if he becomes lucky?
a) He will live in London
b) His mother will finally love him
c) He will go to a good school
d) His father will come home
Answer: b) His mother will finally love him
Which emotion drives most of Paul’s actions in the story?
a) Anger
b) Jealousy
c) Fear
d) Love
Answer: d) Love
Why is the mother unhappy despite having money?
a) She wants a better husband
b) She has no job
c) She feels unlucky and never satisfied
d) She has too many children
Answer: c) She feels unlucky and never satisfied
What effect does the story's ending have on the reader?
a) It makes the reader laugh
b) It gives a clear happy ending
c) It surprises and saddens the reader
d) It offers a solution to greed
Answer: c) It surprises and saddens the reader
What does the story suggest about materialism?
a) It brings families together
b) It is necessary for success
c) It leads to spiritual emptiness and destruction
d) It makes people generous
Answer: c) It leads to spiritual emptiness and destruction
Why does Paul not stop betting, even when he becomes rich?
a) He is greedy
b) He is afraid of losing his powers
c) He wants to be the richest man in England
d) His mother keeps wanting more
Answer: d) His mother keeps wanting more
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