The Rocking Horse Winner By D. H. Lawrence

Coupling fairytale-like elements with the harsh reality of gambling addictions, The Rocking Horse Winner by D.H Lawrence tells the tragic tale of a young boy’s struggle with his mother’s love of material possessions over the love of her son. The story describes how a boy longing for his mother’s love attempts to make her happy by attending horse races to earn money for her. Using his rocking horse to foretell the winnings he becomes extremely wealthy but at the cost of his sanity. His obsession leads to his inevitable downfall as the need for money overtakes his mind while his mother loses interest in it. Showing it’s impossible for them to love each other as their priorities are never able to line up. The cautionary tale develops how gambling
The gruesome way the author portrayed Paul made the reader feel haunted. The contrast between the loving boy he once was with the lost and mad he is at the end sheds light on the dangers of child neglect influencing addiction. Where other stories covered certain classic morals, “The Rocking Horse Winner” took the liberty in discussing something a little more controversial. Gambling is something that is still perceived as a fun, painless activity that reaps reward. Lawrence shows how anyone could easily fall victim to this dangerous addiction just as Paul had, pointing out that those from broken homes are especially vulnerable to this. He makes his point all the more powerful coming from a child, something so unexpected and touching as you watch Paul loose his innocence. In “The Shinning Houses” by Alice Munro she failed to produce a powerful moral. Where she speaks about the failures of advocating for what you believe in, discouraging the reader, Lawrence Hill educates the reader and gives his story a productive purpose. He pushes unbelievers to the harms of gambling out of their naive point of view, making his story the perfect cautionary tale for those who have not seen the dark side of