The Rocking Horse Winner: Examining Relationships

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A relationship between a mother and son should be one that is full of unconditional love. The mother should be able to provide for the son and in return the son should look to the mother for comfort and stability. In D.H. Lawrence's, "The Rocking-Horse Winner," the relationship between the protagonist, Paul and his mother is not ideal at all. The first indication the relationship between Paul and his mother is not one that is ideal is when we are first introduced to the mother. She reveals she feels her children, "had been thrust upon her, and she could not love them," whenever her children were present, "she always felt the center of her heart go hard" (254). She never really gives her children a chance because she is more concerned with herself and she always feels negativity towards them. Her obsession with money and the status it would provide for her completely takes control of her emotions hindering her ability to create a stable and healthy relationship between her and Paul. Her uncontrollable cravings for money create an "anxiety in the house" and a constant whi...

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