Comparing Jackson's The Lottery And The Rocking-Horse

The short stories “The Lottery,” by Shirley Jackson, and “The Rocking-Horse Winner,” by D.H. Lawrence, do not appear to convey the same theme or purpose. However, a careful effort to compare and contrast these two stories will illustrate a shared trait between key characters of both stories. Mrs. Hutchinson, from “The Lottery,” appears to be selfish. This remains a characteristic shared with Paul’s mother in “The Rocking-Horse Winner.” However, the driving force behind this trait is completely different.

In her short story, Jackson has made clear that Mrs. Hutchinson is selfish for good cause. Characterization of Mrs. Hutchinson would include being a loving spouse and a caring mother to her children. Lawrence, by comparison, has shown that

Paul’s mother has a selfish attitude as well, though the reasoning could not be more different. As the story unfolds, Lawrence builds a depiction of Paul’s mother that portrays a cruel woman who does not love her children, nor her own husband; rather, she blames her husband for the problems in their lives.

Jackson sets a wonderful stage in her writing.

While reading her short story, one can almost imagine being there. She paints a vivid picture of the morning, describing it as “clear and sunny, with the fresh warmth of a full-summer day” (Jackson, 1946). When the character of Mrs. Hutchinson first appears, she seems polite and good-natured. She jokes with Mr. Summers, stating “Wouldn’t have me leave m’dishes in the sink, now would you, Joe?” (Jackson, 1946). She does not seem to necessarily be for, nor against, the lottery that is about to take place. However, this changes when it becomes apparently that her family has the piece of paper with the black mark. She is quick to become selfish, stating that her husband did not have time to take any paper; rather, he was rushed into a quick selection, and it simply was not fair (Jackson,

1946).

In this moment, it becomes apparent that Mrs. Hutchinson is selfish. However, it is not necessarily that she is self-centered. While Jackson does not insinuate that Mrs. Hutchinson is a loving wife, she also does not imply otherwise. Hence, one could think of her as being a loving wife and mother, which would give a more than adequate reasoning for her to be selfish and not wish to participate in the lottery once it, becomes evident her family has been selected. The story ends with Mrs. Hutchinson screaming “it isn’t fair, it isn’t right” (Jackson, 1946).

Lawrence, in his short story “The Rocking-Horse Winner,” begins the story with irony.

The mother, Hester, to the main character, Paul, “had no luck. She married for love, and the love turned to dust” (Lawrence, 1926). Similar to Jackson, Lawrence also provides a detailed backdrop to the story. It is revealed, very early into the story, that Hester does not necessarily love her children; however, she is “troubled … and in her manner she was all the more gentle and anxious for her children…,” (Lawrence, 1926). As the story continues, it becomes apparent Hester is selfish. She wishes for a lifestyle that she could not maintain, nor could her husband. She blames this on not having luck, which pushes Paul to do whatever he must to find luck. Paul begins a habit of furiously riding his rocking horse. Paul “knew the horse could take him to where there was luck, if only he forced it,” (Lawrence, 1926). While this habit initially pays off, allowing Paul to give his mother five thousand pounds on her birthday, it also begins to drive him mad. He became mad, “his big blue eyes blazing with a sort of madness,” (Lawrence, 1926). Despite Paul’s best efforts, his mother, Hester, was still selfish and unhappy. She insisted on all five thousand pounds up front, instead of the gradual yearly payment as Paul originally had put into place. Paul eventually would succumb to a brain fever, of sorts, in his efforts to win his mother’s approval and to prove to her that he had found

luck.

In conclusion, one can find similarities between the two short stories. Both feature a female character, a mother nonetheless, whom is selfish in her actions. However, though the reasoning for the selfish actions may differ, one may agree that the characterization was necessary in both stories to paint a fuller picture to the audience of each story. These details serve to provide detail and set the tone for how one may imagine the character would be in real life.