Materialism in “Shining Modern Rocking Horse”
Lawrence skillfully uses symbolism to highlight materialism’s destructive power. The expensive “shining modern rocking horse” (Lawrence, 1) under the Christmas tree belongs to Paul. This gift comes to him from his family maintaining the desperate attempt to feign affluence. Ironically, this very gift fans the flames for Paul both emotionally and physically. This horse drives Paul mad; however, it provides him with an avenue to seize winning horse names. Most significantly though, the rocking horse is the possession that ultimately pushed him to his fateful death. Similarly, to further illustrate the damaging effects of materialism, Lawrence employs the motif of Paul’s blue, “close-set” eyes.
Lawrence creatively describes them as “blue eyes with an uncanny cold fire in them” (Lawrence, 9). The repeated mention of his blue eyes reminds the reader of Paul’s detachment and cold nature and how his unhealthy fixation on winning money brings him to the brink of insanity. Interestingly enough, Lawrence ironically refers to the same eyes as “blazing” (Lawrence, 13) with desperate desire. This symbolic representation of his eyes further demonstrates how desperately focusing on attaining material wealth can lead to a permise ultimate demise. Thus presenting further evidence that money cannot buy happiness.
In conjunction with symbolism, Lawrence masterfully uses characterization to describe the covetous mother, Hester, and the family’s financial hardship to further illustrate the damaging effects of materialism. To anyone outside of the family, Hester seems to be a loving mother who “adores her children” (Lawrence, 1). On the other hand, the dramatic irony reveals to the reader her complete lack of affection for her children. Hester’s only true love is material wealth. Friends and acquaintances hailed Hester as “such a good mother” (Lawrence, 1) who dotes on her children. In stark contrast, she and her children knew this was not true, and they saw it “in each other’s eyes” (Lawrence, 1). Despite outside appearances, there is no happiness or love in this household. Additionally, Lawrence’s use of characterization exemplifies the family’s attempts to live a life outside of their means. Hester would often complain “[t}here [is] never enough money,” to maintain their social status due to their “small income” (Lawrence, 1). Due to Hester’s constant need for money, her actions afflict Paul with an incessant desire for money. Ultimately, Hester’s madness for material possessions pushes her son to the brink of insanity forcing Paul to take desperate measures.
Materialism vs Real Happiness
The present conflict of materialism and the instinctive need for love is exemplified through the use of symbolism and characterization in Lawrence’s short story, The Rocking Horse Winner. Paul’s eyes together with the characterization demonstrates internal and external struggles within the story. Paul is determined to win the money for his mother and sets his eyes on the prize. Though, along with the symbol of the rocking horse, it creates the burning passion in Paul’s eyes and the desperation to win the large prize.
As the story goes on, Paul focuses on attaining wealth too much, which then leads him to his demise. While the symbols in this short story play a significantly large role, one of the main characters, Hester, does as well. Lawrence describes her as cold-hearted and shows no affection to her children. The mother is upset with their living conditions and blames everything on her husband’s disastrous luck. Hester showing no love to her family, especially her kids, helps to illustrate their lack of happiness due to their money shortage. Ultimately, this short story helps one to understand how money cannot buy happiness, even if the money is for someone you love.
Happiness is a choice, even if it takes effort at times. Cheerfulness does not come from attaining money and the family’s lack of money in this story did not lead Paul to pay the ultimate sacrifice. Hester’s desire towards obtaining money for the family and herself was the cause of Paul’s ultimate demise.
