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The Rocking-horse Winner

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The Rocking-horse Winner

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Summary

Summary of 'The Rocking-Horse Winner'

  • Author: D.H. Lawrence (1895-1930)
  • Main Themes:
    • The pursuit of wealth and its consequences.
    • The relationship between luck and success.
    • The impact of parental expectations on children.
  • Characters:
    • Paul: A boy who believes he can predict horse race winners.
    • Paul's Mother: A dissatisfied woman who equates love with money.
    • Uncle Oscar: Paul's supportive yet anxious uncle.
    • Bassett: The family gardener who becomes Paul's betting partner.
  • Plot Summary:
    • Paul feels the pressure of his mother's dissatisfaction with their financial situation.
    • He discovers he has a talent for predicting horse race winners while riding his rocking horse.
    • Paul begins betting with the help of Bassett and Uncle Oscar, leading to significant winnings.
    • Despite his success, Paul's obsession with winning and his mother's greed lead to tragic consequences.
    • The story ends with Paul's death after a final successful bet, highlighting the irony of wealth and love.
  • Key Symbols:
    • The Rocking-Horse: Represents Paul's desperate need for approval and love.
    • Money: Symbolizes both security and the source of anxiety in the family.
  • Irony: Paul's final bet brings wealth but costs him his life, illustrating the destructive nature of greed.

Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

  • Examine the communication channels in the story between key characters:
    • Paul and his mother
    • Paul and Bassett
    • Paul and his uncle
    • Bassett and Paul's uncle
    • Paul's mother and his uncle
  • Analyze how the author links the symbol of the rocking-horse to Paul's triumphs at the races.
  • Discuss the irony in the ending of the story and explore alternative outcomes if Paul had not died.
  • Explain the literal and contextual meanings of the proverb 'A bird in hand is worth two in the bush'.
  • Interpret various phrases from the text, such as 'Sure as eggs', 'Spinning yarns', and 'Turned to dust'.
  • Investigate the meanings of facial expression-related words like 'smirk', 'smile', 'grin', 'grimace', and 'sneer'.
  • Discuss the themes of luck and success in life as presented in the story.

Detailed Notes

The Rocking-Horse Winner Notes

Overview

  • Author: D.H. Lawrence (1895-1930)
  • Setting: A family struggling with financial issues and the concept of luck.

Key Themes

  • Luck vs. Money: The story explores the relationship between luck and financial success, particularly through the character of Paul.
  • Parental Expectations: Paul's mother’s dissatisfaction with her life and her expectations for wealth impact her relationship with Paul.

Character Relationships

  1. Paul and His Mother
  2. Paul and Bassett
  3. Paul and His Uncle
  4. Bassett and Paul's Uncle
  5. Paul's Mother and His Uncle

Symbolism

  • Rocking-Horse: Represents Paul's desperate attempts to gain control over his family's financial situation through gambling.

Important Quotes

  • **

Exam Tips & Common Mistakes

Common Mistakes and Exam Tips

Common Pitfalls

  • Misunderstanding Characters' Relationships: Be clear about the dynamics between Paul, his mother, Bassett, and his uncle. Misinterpretations can lead to incorrect answers about motivations and actions.
  • Ignoring Symbolism: The rocking-horse symbolizes more than just a toy; it represents Paul's desperate quest for luck and approval. Failing to recognize this can weaken your analysis.
  • Overlooking Irony: The story's ending is ironic. Many students miss the significance of this irony in their discussions or essays.

Tips for Success

  • Analyze Communication: Pay attention to how characters communicate. For example, examine the conversations between Paul and his mother, and how they reflect their relationship and themes of luck and dissatisfaction.
  • Contextual Understanding: When discussing proverbs or phrases like 'A bird in hand is worth two in the bush', ensure you understand both the literal and contextual meanings as they relate to the story.
  • Vocabulary Mastery: Familiarize yourself with key phrases and their meanings, such as 'turned to dust' and 'overwrought', as these can be crucial for comprehension questions.
  • Focus on Themes: Be prepared to discuss major themes such as luck, wealth, and familial relationships. Understanding these will help you answer thematic questions effectively.

Practice & Assessment

Multiple Choice Questions

A.

He is a partner who helps Paul place bets

B.

He discourages Paul from betting

C.

He is unaware of Paul's betting

D.

He reports Paul's activities to his mother
Correct Answer: A

Solution:

Bassett is a partner with Paul, helping him place bets and keeping their activities secret.

A.

To stop the house from whispering

B.

To impress his uncle

C.

To buy a real horse

D.

To make his mother happy
Correct Answer: A

Solution:

Paul started betting on horses because he believed that being lucky would stop the house from whispering about the lack of money.

A.

He agreed immediately

B.

He refused to go before the Derby

C.

He was indifferent

D.

He was excited about the idea
Correct Answer: B

Solution:

Paul refused to go to the seaside before the Derby as he was determined to know the winner.

A.

She calls the doctor

B.

She leaves the party to check on him

C.

She sends a message to his uncle

D.

She ignores the feeling
Correct Answer: B

Solution:

Paul's mother leaves the party to call home and check on him due to her anxiety.

A.

She wants more money to pay off debts

B.

She desires recognition for her artistic skills

C.

She feels the amount is too small

D.

She is unaware of the gift
Correct Answer: A

Solution:

Paul's mother remains dissatisfied because she wants more money to pay off her debts, despite the substantial yearly gift.

A.

Paul wins the Derby but loses his life.

B.

Paul's mother finally believes in luck.

C.

The rocking-horse breaks down.

D.

Paul's uncle loses all his money.
Correct Answer: A

Solution:

The irony is that Paul wins a large sum of money for his family but dies as a result.

A.

It is a symbol of childhood innocence

B.

It is a tool for Paul to predict race winners

C.

It is a gift from his father

D.

It represents his escape from reality
Correct Answer: B

Solution:

Paul uses the rocking-horse as a tool to predict race winners, believing it can take him to where there is luck.

A.

Winning a large sum of money

B.

Moving to a new house

C.

His mother finding a new job

D.

His father getting a promotion
Correct Answer: A

Solution:

Paul believes that being lucky and winning money will stop the house from whispering.

A.

Paul wins a fortune but loses his life

B.

Paul's uncle loses all his money

C.

Paul's mother finally appreciates him

D.

The house stops whispering after Paul leaves
Correct Answer: A

Solution:

The irony is that while Paul's final bet makes the family rich, it costs him his life.

A.

He lost all his money.

B.

He won a large sum but fell ill.

C.

He decided not to bet.

D.

He shared the winnings with his friends.
Correct Answer: B

Solution:

Paul won a large sum by betting on Malabar, but the stress led to his illness.

A.

He saved it all.

B.

He gave it to his uncle.

C.

He arranged for it to be given to his mother as a birthday gift.

D.

He spent it on toys.
Correct Answer: C

Solution:

Paul arranged for the money to be given to his mother as a birthday gift, a thousand pounds each year.

A.

His mother

B.

His uncle

C.

Bassett

D.

His father
Correct Answer: C

Solution:

Paul considers Bassett his partner because Bassett lent him his first five shillings and they have been partners from the start.

A.

She is overjoyed and grateful.

B.

She is indifferent and hides the letter.

C.

She immediately tells Paul about it.

D.

She tears the letter in anger.
Correct Answer: B

Solution:

Paul's mother reads the lawyer's letter, hides it, and does not mention it to anyone.

A.

It motivates him to seek luck through betting.

B.

It causes him to fear his mother.

C.

It makes him want to leave the house.

D.

It leads him to stop riding the rocking-horse.
Correct Answer: A

Solution:

The whispering of the house about needing more money drives Paul to seek luck through betting, as he believes this will stop the whispering.

A.

To stop the whispering of the house

B.

To gain his mother's approval

C.

To prove his uncle wrong

D.

To win a real horse
Correct Answer: A

Solution:

Paul seeks luck primarily to stop the whispering of the house, which symbolizes the family's constant need for money.

A.

She was worried about her financial situation.

B.

She had a sudden unease about Paul.

C.

She was concerned about her husband's health.

D.

She was nervous about hosting the party.
Correct Answer: B

Solution:

Paul's mother experienced sudden anxiety about him, which was almost anguish.

A.

It symbolizes Paul's quest for luck and success

B.

It is a gift from Paul's uncle

C.

It represents Paul's childhood innocence

D.

It is an heirloom passed down through generations
Correct Answer: A

Solution:

The rocking-horse symbolizes Paul's desperate quest for luck and success, as he believes it guides him to the winners.

A.

He discourages Paul from betting

B.

He becomes a partner in Paul's betting activities

C.

He is unaware of Paul's betting

D.

He provides financial advice to Paul
Correct Answer: B

Solution:

Uncle Oscar becomes a partner in Paul's betting activities, supporting him and keeping his secret.

A.

She wanted more money to pay off debts.

B.

She disliked the source of the money.

C.

She wanted to invest in a new business.

D.

She was unaware of the gift.
Correct Answer: A

Solution:

Paul's mother was in debt and wanted the entire amount at once to pay it off.

A.

To find luck

B.

To impress his uncle

C.

To entertain his sisters

D.

To practice horse riding
Correct Answer: A

Solution:

Paul rode his rocking-horse in a frenzy, believing it could take him to where there was luck.

A.

She is dissatisfied and asks for the full amount immediately

B.

She is overjoyed and grateful

C.

She decides to invest it wisely

D.

She shares it with her family
Correct Answer: A

Solution:

Paul's mother is not satisfied with the yearly gift and asks for the entire amount at once due to her debts.

A.

His poor health

B.

His obsession with horse racing

C.

His lack of friends

D.

His academic performance
Correct Answer: B

Solution:

Paul's mother feels anxiety due to his growing obsession with horse racing, which affects his health and behavior.

A.

He discouraged Paul from betting.

B.

He was a partner and helped place bets.

C.

He provided financial advice.

D.

He kept Paul's activities a secret from everyone.
Correct Answer: B

Solution:

Bassett was a partner with Paul and helped him place bets.

A.

She insists he must go immediately

B.

She agrees to let him stay until after the Derby

C.

She forbids him from attending the Derby

D.

She is indifferent to his decision
Correct Answer: B

Solution:

Paul's mother agrees to let him stay until after the Derby, despite her concerns about his obsession with horse racing.

A.

His uncle

B.

His mother

C.

Bassett

D.

His sister
Correct Answer: C

Solution:

Bassett was Paul's partner in betting from the beginning, as he lent Paul his first five shillings.

A.

To win a scholarship

B.

To stop the house from whispering

C.

To impress his uncle

D.

To buy a real horse
Correct Answer: B

Solution:

Paul hopes that by being lucky, he can stop the house from whispering about the lack of money.

A.

He prays every night

B.

He rides his rocking-horse

C.

He reads books about horse racing

D.

He consults with his uncle
Correct Answer: B

Solution:

Paul rides his rocking-horse with intensity, believing it will take him to where there is luck.

A.

To stop the house from whispering about money

B.

To impress his uncle with his betting skills

C.

To become the richest person in his family

D.

To buy a real horse for himself
Correct Answer: A

Solution:

Paul is driven by a desire to stop the house from whispering about the lack of money, which he believes is tied to luck.

A.

A sanctuary of peace

B.

A source of constant financial pressure

C.

A place of childhood joy

D.

A symbol of familial love
Correct Answer: B

Solution:

The house in 'The Rocking-horse Winner' symbolizes the constant financial pressure and dissatisfaction felt by Paul's family, as it 'whispers' about the need for more money.

A.

A magical book

B.

His rocking-horse

C.

A lucky coin

D.

His uncle's advice
Correct Answer: B

Solution:

Paul uses his rocking-horse to reach a state where he can predict the winning horse.

True or False

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

Paul's uncle, Oscar, was skeptical about Paul's betting success until he saw the money and decided to become a partner.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

The excerpt describes how Paul's mother experienced sudden seizures of uneasiness about him, almost to the point of anguish, two nights before the Derby.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

Paul believed that by riding his rocking-horse, he could find the luck needed to win at horse races.

Correct Answer: False

Solution:

Paul's mother worked secretly in the studio of a friend who was the chief artist for the leading drapers, but she herself was not the chief artist.

Correct Answer: False

Solution:

Although Paul's mother liked to be rich, she did not approve of betting on horses.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

Paul's desire to be lucky was motivated by the whispers of the house, which he associated with financial distress.

Correct Answer: False

Solution:

Although Paul's mother liked to be rich, she did not approve of betting on horses.

Correct Answer: False

Solution:

Paul's rocking-horse was moved to his own bedroom after he was emancipated from the nursery.

Correct Answer: False

Solution:

Paul's mother was dissatisfied with her earnings from sketching because she wanted to be first in something.

Correct Answer: False

Solution:

Paul's uncle, Oscar, was aware of Paul's betting activities and even became a partner in his bets.

Correct Answer: False

Solution:

Paul's uncle, Oscar, was aware of and even participated in Paul's betting activities.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

Paul's final bet on Malabar was successful and made the family rich, but the stress and obsession with winning led to his death.

Correct Answer: False

Solution:

Paul's mother was not satisfied with the yearly birthday gift of 1,000 pounds for five years because she was in debt and wanted the entire amount at once.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

Paul's mother experienced sudden seizures of uneasiness about him, especially as the Derby drew near.

Correct Answer: False

Solution:

Paul's mother was not satisfied with the financial arrangement, as she asked for the entire amount to be advanced due to her debts.

Correct Answer: False

Solution:

Paul's mother was not satisfied with the yearly birthday gift of 1,000 pounds because she was in debt and wanted the entire amount at once.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

Paul's final bet on Malabar was successful, as the horse won the Derby.

Correct Answer: False

Solution:

Paul's mother was told that a relative had put the money in the lawyer's hands, not knowing it was from Paul.

Correct Answer: False

Solution:

Paul's mother was not aware of the partnership, as it was kept a secret from her.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

The excerpt shows that Oscar Cresswell became a partner in the betting activities with Paul and Bassett.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

Paul's mother tried to fight her feelings of anxiety about him using common sense, as mentioned in the excerpt.

Correct Answer: False

Solution:

Paul's rocking-horse did not have a name. 'Malabar' refers to one of the horses running for the Derby, not the rocking-horse.

Correct Answer: False

Solution:

Paul's mother was not aware of the partnership between Paul and Bassett. They kept it a secret from her.

Correct Answer: True

Solution:

Paul believed that by riding his rocking-horse, he could discover the winners of horse races, which he equated with finding luck.