The Rocking Horse Winner - D.H. Lawrence

“If your lucky you have money. That’s why it’s better to be born lucky than rich. If you’re rich, you may lose your money. But if you’re lucky, you will always get more money” (710).

D.H. Lawrence’s “The Rocking Horse Winner” is reminiscent of Mark Twain’s “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” as it explores the canonical “get rich quick” theme. The character of the mother informs her son, Paul, that having luck is the equivalent to always having money. Unfortunately, this statement only proves to have a damaging effect on her son who seems to feel as though he has a duty towards his mother and that is to use his luck to her advantage. Lawrence explores the idea of money and happiness; as the family gains money through Paul they are always left wanting more, proving that money does not equate happiness. Sadly, Paul is a boy that feels no love from his mother and is truly forgotten about by his father and in turn uses his winnings to win her affection. Paul is simply a lost soul – he has no ulterior motives behind winning this money. He does not need to worry about paying bills or living an extravagant lifestyle – Paul only wants to make his family happy. It is the people around Paul, such as his mother and uncle, which use his “luck” for personal gain without realizing the consequences. Lawrence makes a strong statement in “The Rocking Horse Winner” and that is the idea that money can not buy happiness and it most certainly can not buy love and acceptance.