Social Issues and the Myth of Luck

Social Issues and the Myth of Luck in "Rocking- Horse Winner" by DH Lawrence

Rocking- Horse Winner" is a short story by DH Lawrence that illustrates the importance of social status and the myth of luck in Paul's family, as well as in the society that their family live in. The short story deals with these two important themes, and each theme is dependent on each other, since it is evident, upon reading the text of the short story, that Paul's family heavily depended on luck to maintain the high social status their family enjoys even though they can barely support themselves financially. The story will focus on Paul's struggles as he strive to become a "lucky" individual, driven by the fact that he has to become lucky so that he will be able to generate enough money to give his mother, and to stop the "whispering" of the voices in their home, wherein it seems that there's always the need for money, and this bothers not only Paul, but the other people of the house hold as well. This paper will discuss the various points wherein these two themes are effectively illustrated thru the characters in the story.

The first part of the short story focuses on the family's, most especially Hester's (Paul's mother), preoccupation and belief in luck, wherein they view that an individual's status in life can be solely determined on the luck a person has. Paul, striving to stop the "unlucky" fate of his family, thought of a way to stop their unfortunate life, and he eventually found solace and "luck" whenever he is on his riding-horse, which, at the course of the story, was the one who brought him luck. Even at the end of his life, as he was dying of brain fever, Paul still sought his mother's approval and confirmation that he indeed, is lucky, despite the unluckiness of his family and the disturbing existence of the "whispering voices" in their house.

The importance of social status is also effectively illustrated in the story thru the character of Paul's mother. In the latter part of the story, it becomes apparent that despite their poverty, and the disturbing financial state their family was in, Paul's mother continues to live extravagantly, most especially when she received the full amount of five thousand dollars ($5,000) that she received when she had her birthday. Paul's parents' extravagant lifestyle is a reflection of how they still want to attain their status in the society, since they are known as high-class people in their neighborhood, even though the family can barely support their basic needs. It is also important to note that the "whispering voices" that are always heard in the family's house symbolizes the people who may be "whispering" or talking behind the family's back about the family's financial problems. The people who continue to criticize Paul's family is what bothers them, and it is symbolized by the unknown, whispering voices that Paul and his family kept on hearing even during times of sudden prosperity (due to Paul's "luck" in winning the horse races).