Sep 24 2009
Rockin’ Horseeee!
A symbol is a literary device that an author uses to help the readers better understand a story. Symbols can range from material items to even names of characters in the novel. In “The Rocking-Horse Winner” by D.H. Lawrence, there is a variety of symbols used throughout the story. The main symbol is the rocking horse, which resembles never-ending ambition. Paul is too old for toys, so he doesn’t ride on it for joy- he rides on it for luck. The motion of the horse as it goes back and forth quite rapidly, not stopping until Paul fulfils his purpose, represents how desire is never satisfied until someone feels accomplished. The rocking horse never goes anywhere; it acts as a real thing or reality.
Another symbol in the story is money. The money represents greed or self-indulgence; it is most clearly portrayed through Paul’s mother, Hester. Nothing is ever good enough for her, and she raised her son making him believe that money is what brings happiness. And luck brings money. So in order to be happy you must be luck. That theory is what brought Paul to his death.
An allegory is a figurative representation that symbolizes something greater. The central allegory in the story is the whispers in the house. No matter how much money Paul wins in the races, the whispers never stop. They resemble the never satisfied greed of people and how people are so fixated on obtaining what they think will make them happy, but in all actuality makes them ravenous demons with “blazing eyes”. However, family and love is what brings happiness, and that is what Paul is truly seeking in the story from his mother.
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