Fourteen to One (The Rocking-Horse Winner)

Questions:

Level 1: What was the primary concern of Paul's parents?

Level 2: Why was Paul's mother so cold in respect to love?

Level 3: What does it really mean to be lucky?  Does one really need luck in order to lead a happy life?

The theme of this short story is how one cannot judge one's own life in terms of love lest it become emotionless and empty of all of the redeeming qualities that truly define quality of living.

 

D.H. Lawrence's short story, "The Rocking-Horse Winner" is an interesting view on what it truly means to be "lucky."  It would seem that the characters in this story are possessed with becoming lucky.  The only problem lies in the fact that what the characters define as luck is really an empty existence that would not be called a fulfilling lifestyle by most standards.  The family is accustomed to living in absolute luxury, despite the fact that they simply do not have the financial backing for it.  Because of the constant stress that being in debt incessantly exerts on people, the family looses sight of the true qualities of what the family unit is all about.  The mother obviously has no inner feelings for her children as deep down she does not feel connected to them.  Rather, she merely sees it as her obligation to provide for her children, and therefore puts on a facade that would prevent the outside world from knowing the truth.  Their life was all shine and no substance.  Everything would ultimately fall apart.