Rocking Horse Winner

            Winner "The Rocking Horse Winner" is a short story written in the 2oth century by D. One of its outstanding elements is the vivid characterization of Paul and his mother. Paul's mother in "The Rocking Horse Winner" is a cold, unloving parent who is extravagant and materialistic. .
             The cold and unloving quality of the mother is demonstrated clearly by Lawrence. "She had bonny children, yet she felt they had been thrust upon her, and she could not love them." This quotation describes the mother's resentment toward her children for merely their presence. Through the story Paul's mother battles her insecurities. "They looked at her coldly as if they were finding fault with her." She is so insecure that her nervous paranoia controlled her, affecting her life and the lives of her children greatly. .
             Also, Paul's mother is extremely extravagant in her way of life. Although neither she nor her husband is successful, her tastes are far beyond her means. "Yet nobody said it aloud. The whisper was everywhere, and therefore no one spoke it." A voice haunted the household, caused by the mother's unaffordable greed. She wanted what she could not have, and it drove her mad.
             Finally, another of her characteristics is her materialistic nature which eventually leads to Paul's destruction. Her nature rubs off onto Paul, causing his life to change. As children do, they beg for their parent's recognition. Paul needed to make money to receive attention from his mother. "And then the house whispers, like awful people laughing at you behind your back. It's awful that is! I thought if I was lucky----." Paul's unhealthy ambition would take his life.
             Lawrence's portrait of a modern day female is frightening to the reader. Paul's mother demonstrated none of the traditional features of a warm, caring mother. Instead, she exhibits the three negative qualities of coldness, extravagance and materialism.