Unloving Horse Winner

623 Words3 Pages
Unloving Mother, Unhappy Family A mother’s love is unconditional and genuine. However, according to D.H. Lawrence, this statement is invalid. In his short story, “The Rocking Horse Winner”, the protagonist Paul is a young boy who unfortunately has a shallow and superficial relationship with his mother. Because Paul dearly loves his mother, he always tries his best to make her happy. Since she adores money and is extremely materialistic, Paul’s mother does not love her son; his feelings toward her are not reciprocated. D.H Lawrence characterizes Paul’s mother, as a neglectful and unloving person, demonstrating his negative view on family. Although Paul’s mother may seem loving towards her children, she does not love them. Paul’s mother does not care about her children, “She had bonny children, yet…she could not love them”…show more content…
When Paul wins money from a bet, he sends the money to his mother as an anonymous gift and her response is halfhearted, ‘“Quite moderately nice,’ she said, her voice cold and absent” (178). Despite his efforts, Paul is not able to win his mother’s love when he gifts her with money. The cold response from his mother displays Lawrence’s view of family as apathetic as Paul’s mother is indifferent. Attempting a second time, Paul tries to win his mother’s affection. He tells his mother that he is lucky to make her happy, but she pays no attention to him, “The boy saw she did not believe him…she paid no attention to his assertion. This angered him… and made him want to compel her attention” (171). Because she does not love her son, Paul’s mother ignores him; he is left frustrated. D.H Lawrence shows family as frustrating as this is how Paul feels when Paul tries to please his mother. Vexing and indifferent, Lawrence’s view on family is negative and he demonstrates this through the neglected Paul and his relationship with his
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