5.1 - "The Rocking-Horse Winner" by D.H. Lawrence
Enroll to start learning
You’ve not yet enrolled in this course. Please enroll for free to listen to audio lessons, classroom podcasts and take practice test.
Interactive Audio Lesson
Listen to a student-teacher conversation explaining the topic in a relatable way.
Narrative Techniques in "The Rocking-Horse Winner"
🔒 Unlock Audio Lesson
Sign up and enroll to listen to this audio lesson
In "The Rocking-Horse Winner," D.H. Lawrence uses a third-person omniscient narrator. This means that we can see into the thoughts and feelings of multiple characters. Can anyone give me an example of how this perspective affects our understanding of Paul?
It shows us how desperate Paul is to make his mother happy and how he thinks being 'lucky' will help.
Exactly! His desire to be lucky is a central part of the story. Who can explain what the term 'omniscient' means in this context?
It means the narrator knows everything about the characters, even things they might not realize themselves.
Great insight! This allows readers to understand not just Paul's struggles but also how his mother's expectations and anxiety impact him. Let's remember the acronym OVA for Omniscient, Various, and Access—this captures the essence of what omniscient narration does!
Character Development and Motivation
🔒 Unlock Audio Lesson
Sign up and enroll to listen to this audio lesson
Now, let’s talk about character development. How does Paul change throughout the story?
He starts as a happy child but becomes burdened by the pressure to earn money.
That's right! Paul evolves from an innocent child to someone who feels that he must fulfill adult responsibilities. What motivates him to act this way?
His mom's constant whisper about needing money drives him to win races.
Perfect! His mother's obsession with wealth directly influences his actions. Can anyone relate this motivation to a theme in the story?
It connects to the theme of materialism and parental approval.
Exactly! Great job connecting these concepts. Remember, for character motivations, we can use the mnemonic 'DIME'—Drive, Influence, Motivation, Evolution.
Themes and Moral Dilemmas
🔒 Unlock Audio Lesson
Sign up and enroll to listen to this audio lesson
Let's dive into the themes of the story. What do you think are the main themes in "The Rocking-Horse Winner?"
Materialism seems to be the biggest theme, especially with how it affects Paul and his mother.
Exactly, materialism is central! How does it create a moral dilemma for Paul?
He struggles between wanting to be a child and needing to achieve wealth for his mom.
You've captured it well! This internal conflict showcases the loss of innocence. Let's summarize this with the acronym 'MIM'—Materialism, Innocence, Moral conflict. Keep that in mind as we move forward!
Introduction & Overview
Read summaries of the section's main ideas at different levels of detail.
Quick Overview
Standard
The section explores narrative techniques, character motivations, and thematic elements present in "The Rocking-Horse Winner." It highlights how Lawrence's use of third-person omniscient narration enhances the understanding of the characters' inner struggles and the moral dilemmas they face, particularly focusing on the devastating impacts of materialism and the quest for parental approval.
Detailed
In "The Rocking-Horse Winner," D.H. Lawrence employs a third-person omniscient narrator that allows readers insight into various characters' thoughts and feelings, with a strong focus on young Paul. The story follows Paul's transformation from an innocent child to one burdened by his mother's insatiable desire for wealth, emphasizing themes of materialism, parental approval, and lost innocence. The narrative explores Paul's internal conflict between maintaining his childhood innocence and taking on adult responsibilities to please his mother. Key elements such as symbolism, irony, and tone further enhance the narrative's complexity. Symbolically, Paul's rocking horse represents his desperate quest for luck and approval, while the irony that his efforts do not alleviate his family's financial stress underscores the futility of equating love with material success. Through detailed character motivations and thematic explorations, Lawrence critiques societal values surrounding wealth and maternal relationships.
Key Concepts
-
Third-Person Omniscient: Narration that provides insights into multiple characters' thoughts.
-
Character Development: The evolution of a character throughout the story.
-
Materialism: The theme highlighting the dangers of valuing money over relationships.
-
Moral Dilemma: The conflict Paul faces between innocence and the burden of adult responsibilities.
Examples & Applications
Paul's obsession with horse racing illustrates the destructive nature of materialistic desires.
The rocking horse symbolizes Paul's desperate need for luck and love, reflecting his internal struggles.
Memory Aids
Interactive tools to help you remember key concepts
Rhymes
In a race for luck, Paul rides with glee, but wealth can't buy love, wait and see.
Stories
Imagine a boy who believes that by riding his wooden horse and winning races, he could finally fulfill his mother's love and approval, only to realize that their bond was never about money.
Memory Tools
Remember MIM: Materialism, Innocence, Moral conflict - the key themes confronting Paul.
Acronyms
DIME for character motivations
Drive
Influence
Motivation
Evolution.
Flash Cards
Glossary
- Narrative Technique
The method used by an author to tell a story, including the perspective from which the story is narrated.
- ThirdPerson Omniscient
A narrative perspective where the narrator knows all thoughts and feelings of the characters.
- Character Development
The process of creating a believable character that evolves throughout the story.
- Materialism
A tendency to consider material possessions and physical comfort as more important than spiritual or intellectual values.
- Moral Dilemma
A situation in which a person faces a choice between two conflicting moral principles.
Reference links
Supplementary resources to enhance your learning experience.