April 24, 2012   D. H. Lawrence - "The Rocking-Horse Winner" (8 quiz)

Quiz: Lawrences "The Rocking-Horse Winner"

questions about The Rocking Horse Winner (Travelman Classics) -2題

Oedipus complex: D. H. Lawrences "The Piano," Sons and Lovers (facebook)

A list of seven discussion questions over the story that focus on characters, irony, and theme. 

1. The family of this story is living above its financial means. What evidence in the story supports this fact? Give several examples.

2. What does the mother feel toward her children and her husband?

3. Paul has an extended conversation with his mother about luck. Review what she tells him on the subject. What kind of effect did this on Paul, and why?

4. What are the roles of Oscar Crenshaw and Bassett in the story?

5. How do the mothers feelings about Paul and her behavior toward him seem to conflict with her character as it is presented and developed in the story? Why is the change in her irony?

6. What is the major theme of the story?

7. What is the irony about the title?  

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Kirszner & Mandell. Portable Literature:Reading, Reacting, Writing. 5th ed. Boston, MA: Thomson, 2008, p. 269-270.

Reading and Reacting:

1. From what point of view is "The Rocking-Horse Winner" told? Hold does this point of view help to communicate the storys theme?

2. In what respects is "The Rocking-Horse Winner" like a fary tale? How is it different?

3. Many fairy tales involve a hero who goes on a journey to search for something of great value. What journey does Paul go on? What does he search for? Is he successful?

4. In paragraph 5, the narrator says that the house is "haunted by the unspoken phrase:"There must be more money!" In what way does the phrase "haunt" the house?

5. How would you characterize Pauls parents? His uncle? Bassett? Are they weak? Evil? What motivates them?

6. Beginning in paragraph 11, Pauls mother attempts to define the word "luck". According to her definition, does she consider Paul lucky? Do you agree?

7. In wghat ways does Paul behave like other children? In what ways is he different? How do you account for these differences? How old do you think Paul is? Why is his age significant?

8. The rocking horse is an important literary symbol in the story. What possible meanings might the rocking horse suggest? In what ways does this symbol reinforce the storys theme?

9. What secrets do the various characters keep from one another? Why do they keep them? How do these secrets relate to the storys theme?

10. How does Paul know who the winners will be? Does the rocking horse really tell him? Does he get his information "from heaven" as Bassett suggests? Or does he sut guess?

11. In your opinion, who or what is responsible for Pauls death?