Paul Throughout The Story example essay topic

D.H. Lawrence's 'The Rocking-Horse Winner' is a classic modernistic story about a family filled with inner conflicts all portrayed through the innocence of a young child. Tortured by a house that whispers to him, Paul tries to gain his mothers missing affection by presenting that he posses luck which gives him money. He presents this luck by picking the name of a winning horse while riding his rocking horse. The whispers which state 'there must be more money" disturbs Paul and he believes it exists because his family does not have enough money. Paul drives himself to a state of insanity and perishes because of this.

This story is written in a radiant way which displays several ironic situations and statements. Here are four examples of different ways irony is present in the emblematic short story, 'The Rocking-Horse Winner'. One example of irony present in the story is at the end of the story on pg. 90, when Paul is suffering and is in his last phase before death. Paul says to his mother "I never told you, mother, that if I can ride my horse, and get there, then I'm absolutely sure-oh, absolutely! Mother, did I ever tell you? I am lucky".

And his mother replies "No, you never did". This is ironic because Paul had mentioned to his mother that he was lucky on more than one occasion and it goes to show that his mother did not show affection for her son and listen to the things he had to say. Paul mentioned being lucky to his mother on pg. 78 stating "I'm a lucky person" and the story states that his mother paid no attention to his assertion. Evident throughout the story, Paul confuses luck with money. He believes in order to obtain money, one must posses luck.

This brings forth the next example of irony present which is shown on pg. 77. In a dialogue with his mother, Paul asks "Is luck money, mother?" , and his mother replies "No, Paul. Not quite. It's what causes you to have money". Paul then responds "Oh! I thought when Uncle Oscar said filthy luck er it meant money".

This is ironic because Paul interprets filthy lucre as filthy luck er which he believes means luck but really meant money. It shows that Paul does not understand that luck is not money and that statement further shows his misunderstanding between the two concepts. Religious words and phrases are constantly being declared throughout the story. On pages 82 and 83 Basset refers to Paul's insight on winning horses in a religious voice stating "It's as if he had it from heaven". On pg. 78 after stating he was lucky, Paul said God told him he was lucky.

On pg 80 Basset was as serious as a "church". All these religious examples show that the rocking-horse is symbolized as a pagan idol. The rocking-horse is worshipped by Peter, Basset and later by Uncle Oscar who depend on the horse for their demands. The fourth and final example of irony is the phrase repeated by Paul throughout the story, "Honour bright". Paul uses this phrase when he is referring to the club or alliance that Basset and Uncle Oscar have formed with him in regards to his rocking-horse secret. Paul is a loner whose life is much different than the average child.

Psychological drama throughout Paul's life made him unique in comparison to other children. The fact that Paul formed a club with Basset and Uncle Oscar shows that he is in need of group of friends that he is missing in his life. The "Honour Bright" slogan shows secrecy, trust and loyalty much like group's children form.