The Rocking-Horse Winner Symbolism

Authors use a variety of ways to help them portray their message in a story. Some examples are the point of view in which the story is told, imagery, and symbolism. Although most stories may have a little of each to help the author, some are easier to pick out than others. Probably the easiest to pick out is symbolism. What exactly is symbolism though? Symbolism is when the author uses an object or even a person to represent a hidden message or meaning. When an author uses symbolism, he/she gives the reader an opportunity to interpret the story in their own point of view because one reader may see an object from a different point than someone else. “The Rocking-Horse Winner” by D.H. Lawrence uses a variety of symbols, but three important ones
are the rocking horse, luck or lucre, and Christian motifs to portray the story’s theme of greed. The major symbolism that is used throughout the story is the rocking horse.
What most people would view as harmless child’s toy is used to mean so much more. It used to represent determination and motivation. The boy believes the horse will take him where he wants to go. The horse is described as being shiny and as the story progresses, the reader learns that objects described as being shiny bring harm. What harm could a rocking horse bring? Actually a lot… For example, the uncle asks “What’s the horse’s name?” The boy replies with “Well he has different names”(795). The horse’s name would be whatever horse the boy picture was going to win the upcoming horse race. That developed into a habit until the boy actually worried himself and fell off the rocking horse. Also the horse being hid in his room means he does not want to tell his mom about his gambling. So a simple children’s toy means so much more (Baker;
Lawrence). The boy thought Uncle Oscar said “filthy lucker” but he had said “filthy lucre.” “Filthy lucre means to gain money in a dishonorable way (Baker).” Money can make people greedy. The boy wants his mother’s attention but she only wants money so he begins to think if his lucky unlike his father then he will have her attention. He began to gamble which cost his physical and mental well-being. “Paul’s uncle deposited five thousand pounds that Paul had won for his mother to the family lawyer and a thousand was to be given to her each on her birthday (799).” He thought by doing that the house would quit whispering “there has to be more money” but it only got worse. “The Creswells actually had enough money to provide for their needs, but not their lifestyle (Bentley).” Money was gained by lucre but the thought it was luck and it only made things worse which mean money does not buy happiness (Bentley; Lawrence). “The religious symbol is more apparent but less easy to understand (Baker).” Basset views Paul as a messenger of God which could represent St.
Paul. The “magical” rocking horse was received on Christmas Day which is the day that Jesus was born to the virgin Mary, another “magical” experience. Also, Christ rose from the dead after three days and Paul died after being sick for three days. Christ’s resurrection represents a new life for Christians and Paul’s death does not represent anything but leaves money to his family. Another example, is in the Bible, Judas offers Paul up for money and Uncle Oscar would offer his nephew up for money. Christ and Paul are really different but the Lawrence relates the two. Although it may take some time to think about it, Lawrence is slipping his belief in Christ into his story (Baker; Bentley;
Lawrence). Symbolism is when something has a hidden meaning. Authors use it and a variety of other ways to help the reader understand the story. The rocking horse, luck or lucre, and Christian motifs are used as symbols in “The Rocking-Horse Winner.” It is up to the reader on how he/she interprets the meaning of each symbol, but most readers will see close to the same meaning. The rocking horse means with determination, the possibilities are endless. Luck or lucre means money can be received because of luck or lucre which means dishonorable and probably not the best way. Last but not least, Christian motifs are when the Lawrence is secretly comparing Paul to Christ. Each symbol makes the reader realize how much greed is in the boy’s house and always goes back to his house saying more money. A moral of the story is to not let greed take control.