Tuesday, May 26, 2009
The Rocking Horse Winner - What the heck?
Isn't that what you were just thinking? What the heck was that all about? The kid rides on the horse and what? Huh? I know - But think about it. What is Lawrence's point here? It gets a little freaky with the boy - who is obviously too old to be riding a rocking horse, riding it - trance-like- until he somehow divines the name of the winner. Weird - yes - Cool - I think so. I mean - here's this kid, never felt loved, told his family is unlucky - want to change it - so he does. Well kind of. It is a sad commentary on society at the time - early 1900's - but how true is it now? So true - Explain and discuss this idea in a well-thought-out response - and you'll get an A!!!!
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I believe that the Rocking Horse Winner relates to our daily lives in a very real way. The mother had told her son that the only way to be happy and successful is to be lucky, and to be lucky one must have money. The boy had connected happiness with money, and had done an illegal act, gambling, just to have happiness. When he had won all of this money, he set some aside, but gave the majority of it to his mother, who valued money above all else. This is exactly the case in todays' society. In modern times, people are so materialistic and rely on money for happiness. Without money, one could simply not have happiness, and that is the idea that is conveyed in this story.
ReplyDeleteIn this story they portray the fact that money is happyniess and without money you can not be happy. In this story the mother had told her son that if he didnt have money he would be happy. In order to get this money the son strated to gamble just to make himslef happy. To make his mother happy he gave her some of the money he had won and put the rest aside. This story resembles our society today because everything seams to be about money, thats all people care about. Some even think that money makes happyiness but i know for a fact that you do not need money to make you happy in life.
ReplyDeleteThis story is an over exageration on the ever present idea of materialism in society. For one, this boy was raised unconsciously by his parents that money is everything. Growing up with this idea, the boy strives to reach wealth by any possible means necessary. He resorts to gambling just to get what he wants. Its funny because even when the mother is presented with the first thousand, it is not enough for her and demands the whole five thousand upfront. These shows just how ugly greed can get. So even though this story is quite fictional, it does give us some insight as to how society is quite materialistic and is in dire need for a change.
ReplyDeleteRachel Palmisciano
ReplyDeleteThis story relates to our society because it is about striving for something, anything, even if we are not sure what exactly it is. Paul wants to be loved, he wants his mom to be happy, he wants a happy house, and he thinks that luck will change things. His mom thinks money will finally make her happy, she does not want to come to terms with her unhappy family life. The characters in this story are all trying to grasp what they think will make them happy. They look for it, and even when it is obtained they are still unsettled and dissatisfied. People look to material posessions to make them happy, when the problems lie within themselves. We see this today in our own society, in our own lives.
This story definitely relates to today's society and how everyone focuses their lives around money and striving for happiness. For many, this goal is tumbled all into one; one can not exist without the other, or at least happiness can not exist without the presence of money. In the story, the mother becomes fascinated with the idea of having a lot of money, and this interfered with her life and her family. Her mindset caused her son to also become fascinated with luck, to get money for his mother to make her happy. In the end, however, after the mother finally did receive his gambling winnings, she lost something that should have be first priority on her list: her son. Greed and obsession led the mother down a path that many people today are on; a path that is only focused on obtaining money, and 'happiness' (which isn't true happiness if it is only brought on by money). A path that, for many, is impossible to back track on a re-gain sights that are more realistic.
ReplyDeleteThe Rocking Horse Winner definitely relates to todays society, demonstrates how back then they were materialistic and makes you think that it has just gotten worse. Now, we just use our money to gain us happiness instead of doing things to make us happy. Going to the mall wasting probably the only twenty dollars we have in our pockets to make ourselves happy. We should really be ashamed of ourselves but yet that doesn't stop us. His mom tells him that the only way to be happy is to be wealthy, which makes him turn to gambling, and still its not enough for his mother she just keeps asking for more.
ReplyDeleteThis story relates to today’s society in many ways. In the recession one can’t help but feel unlucky and can’t help but strive for a way to make money and be less affected. In the story Paul is told by his mother that luck brings in money and you are very lucky to have money in this time. Barack Obama has brought a new hope to many people in the United States who are now simply looking for some way to become lucky no matter how crazy it is. I believe that this story has a more concealed message that relates to today’s materialistic problems. Every time Paul’s family comes into any type of money they immediately go out and get new furniture, flowers, decorations, tutors, and other excess things. And every time they buy new things the house starts to whisper again and Paul feels strained to come up with more money.
ReplyDeleteSimilarly to the mother, Hester, today most of our society is driven and compelled by money and materialistic objects. Those of us who don’t have money, want it, and yearn for the things it can buy. Those of us who do have money are usually so frivolous and greedy that they end up wanting more. Nothing is ever enough to satisfy our wants and needs of today. Growing up as a teenager, I have to say I’m also guilty of being too materialistic at times, and wanting needless items just to keep up with the newest technologies, or what is “cool”. Its sad to say that when reflecting on this story that was written in the early 1900’s, we have not evolved as a species at all, we’ve become worse. If Paul’s mother could have just taken a step back and assessed her situation and attitude, the story wouldn’t have had such a depressing, horrible ending. Paul and his siblings should not have felt the financial struggle that his family was facing. At that age, that burden and worry should not be made known so obviously to the children, it is the responsibility of the parents to worry for now. This poor boy could not enjoy his childhood, for he was running from the fear of being “unlucky,” that his mother was so deeply instilling in him, and he was trying to overcompensate for his parents’ lack of money. They equate luck with having money, but if they looked on the positive side they’d realize they were lucky in other aspects. Money isn’t everything. When
ReplyDeletePaul finally received big returns from his gambling, he anonymously gave the money to his mother. The money was quickly and hastily spent, however, it did not solve the problems and worries of the household, for the children could still hear the loud whispers of their financial blunders. The story sent a strong message of how people literally kill themselves to get a hold of this filthy petty thing called money. The question we must ask ourselves, especially in today’s society is, is it really worth it ???
Lawrence’s point was to show the effects of greed on people and society through a story that is both sad and ironic on many levels. Lawrence’s commentary of the early 1900’s is more true today then it was of the time he was speaking of. The cycle of greed is shown quite well by showing how the family spends outside their means income wise and begin to fall into debt while wanting more money. The story also shows how the cycle of greed affects families by showing that the mother has no love really for her children including the main character, Paul. Paul just wants his mother’s love and to prove to her that he was right when he said God told Paul that Paul was lucky. Paul’s want of luck and money furthers when he bets all but 20 pounds at the beginning of the story while Bassett “keeps a bigger reserve” than Paul. However, once Paul went on the path of greed it was a path he could not leave. The voices are symbolism for the growing greed as the voices grew more rapid throughout the story, and like greed always wanting more while never being satisfied. The rocking horse is a sad and ironic symbol for two things. The first thing being how something that predicts the winner of horse races would be something that most would kill for yet it brought the boy so much unhappiness and eventually helped drive him to his death when he gains a fortune that would be worth millions of dollars today. The second thing that the rocking horse is a symbol of is Paul’s lost childhood that he tries to gain back partly by riding the horse. It becomes quite obvious that the two things that Paul yearns for is his mother’s love and to get enough money to stop the voices but sadly in the end he gains neither while losing his life.
ReplyDeleteIf Lawrence still had a body in his grave, he’d most likely be rolling in it if he could see what society has become today. He would most likely consider it along the lines of “The Great Decline of Civilization.” In America for example, the “American Dream” has evolved into a “take no prisoners” while getting as much as you can for yourself type of society. The only reason they call it the “American Dream” today is because you really have to be asleep to believe it. It was not always this way yet it has been instilled in our society that to be happy that you have to get as much money and stuff as possible. This can be seen from everywhere in our society such as in our music with rappers talking about money to all the television shows where rich people show off the mansions that have enough expensive junk in it to feed who knows how many families for years. Like in the story, love for family and fellow human beings has been replaced for a love of money. It reminds me that at the end of the day there is only truly one religion in America now with that being the religion of Capitalism with the worshipping of the Almighty Dollar. If we as a society do not want continue down the path and end up like Paul then we must stop acting like we “need” everything new or that was just released. It seems many people have failed to make the distinction that they do not “need” but rather “want.” People in third world countries who are starving for example need food. Finally, I would just like to say how this story was enjoyable and feel that it has stayed quite relevant which helps make it an even better story then when originally written.
- Robert Santurri
Lauren Pannone
ReplyDeleteThis story is a display of how money brings happiness. People in today's socitey believe that money is everything;size of your house, and what kind of car you drive, or how expensive your shoes are are more important to people than being happy. With the money they have they think that they are happy but they arn't. In the story the mother tells her son how important it is to have money because luck brings money and he was lucky to have money during the time they were in. The story was similar to today because there was a recession and Paul was lucky that he had the luxury of having money when other people didn't.
Paul was told that to be lucky you must have money, so he came up with the names of the winning horses by riding on his rocking horse for hours in a trance. That was his way of showing his mother that he was a lucky boy. The story relates to today's society because many people feel that having money is being lucky.
ReplyDeleteTo have money was to be happy but where to get money? The concept of money is questioned to the reader, is it all you need? In the begining of the story the story mentions a detached mother who's feelings are money is the end all and to have it is to be happy. This money comes from luck, the story then switches to Paul a young boy who wishes to become lucky. If you could become lucky by riding a horse would you? It is appriant that the young boy who does so faces adult challenges such as addiction. He only becomes lucky to stop his mothers quiet suffering. As the mother gains more money she then becomes concerned with her son's safety and the son's becomes more concerned with money. Theres much more to this story but i must go to my next class - Jerred
ReplyDeleteMichael Canaan
ReplyDeleteI think that this story is a perfect example of how materialistic we really are. Here's a family, that can barely afford to eat, but puts that behind them as long as they look and come off as wealthy. The mother tells Paul, that the only way to be happy is to be lucky, and the only way luck works is if you have money. This is a perfect example upon how today's society feels, because most people only care about money, and that is one of the only things that makes them happy.
Gerrick Van Deusen
ReplyDeleteThis story shows certain truths about the individuals in our society. Paul and his mother both strive to get materialistic items that they think will make them happy. Once they get them the two are still left disappointed and this shows how society should not be materialistic. Happiness is all about being content with whatever circumstances life has given you and to make the most out of them.
This story shows us how materialistic people are. Paul was taught at a young age that money was what made people happy. His mother instilled in him that in order to get money you need to be lucky. When Paul learnd this from his mother, the one person he can depend on, he knows what he must do. He resorts to gambling to get money for his mother and to also stop the house from "talking" to them. He was scared that he would be "unlucky" for the rest of his life if he did not do something about it. In the end, Paul becomes too obsessed with money and kills him.
ReplyDeletePaul's obsession with racing was what lead to his death. The voice that he had heard was most likely only in his head. He was told that his mother and father were unlucky and because of that, were poor. The constant hammering of the this idea into his head caused him to have such an obsession for gambling on races. This could easily be compared to the society of today. We put our greed for money so far up that we would do anything just to get it. Many of us, as did Paul, see that opportunity of gambling as a way to make a profit. If we hit it right, we'd be rolling in the 'dough'. This could lead to the addiction and obsession of gambling. Many eventually lose all their money and belongings because of this unhealthy fixation. Paul was able to earn a large profit, but in return 'rode himself to death'.
ReplyDeleteSharlene Doran
ReplyDeleteThis story shows us how materalistic people are. The main character paul has been taught that having money is everything. Money is what will truly make him happy and the only way to get money is through luck.Therefore paul becomes a gambler for his mother and stop the house from talking to them. He becomes obsessed and at the same time fearful he'll become unlucky. His obsession kills him.
in the time period of the story the people of that time were taught to beleive that they could never change there life, no matter what they did, they could never change their desteny. now, every person, either it be rich or poor, can have thier lives changed in a blink of an eye.
ReplyDeletein the end the auther is telling us that there is a devil in all of use. the devil appears in the form of temptation and obsession. for the boy in the story, unfortunately, died because of his inner devil.
The fact that this boy made himself so physically sick and was still able hide it from everyone around him shows just how much the love of money effected his life. He was hearing things and was obviously very sick to have died at the end. It mirrors the effect that money has on people today. They will make themselves sick and risk everything they have, their health as well as their family and social lives, in order to be wealthy.
ReplyDeleteI thought that this story portrays today's society because everything that the family did revolved around money. In the story you would think that the parents would learn their lesson when they got into debt but they just let themselves get further into trouble. The sad part is that the parents raised the boy to gamble money and risk everything at such a young age, which could possibly lead to an obsession in the future. I kind of thought it was weird how he rode his rocking horse to find out who was going to win at the derbi.
ReplyDeleteDanielle Mahoney
ReplyDeleteThis story relates to families and the community today mostly because of the recession. Now more than ever, money is scarce within households. People will do anything they can to make more money, and stay out of debt. In the story, the boy is taught that money and materialistic things are most important in life, which leads him to do rediculous things for money. This is shown in the rocking horse winner because the son will break the law, go behind his mother's back, and keep secrets frome everyone just to earn more money to help his mother support his family.
Jillian Orabone:
ReplyDeleteThis story supports the drive of money and materialism in society today. Growing up, Paul was taught by his mother that monet is everything, and because of that he grows up doing everything to be wealthy, believing that it will bring him happiness. In today's society this belief is ever-present, especially with the recession we face today. Materialism, (which causes greed) is one of the causes of the recession, because as the standard of living went up, so did the cost of living and people fell into the trap of buying what to them seemed "necessary" but was in fact just excess and materialistic.
jared dibiase
ReplyDeletein this story the boy performs an illegal gambling act. he was to young to gamble, but he needed to gamble because his mother and father were always complaining how they couldnt fit in with their neighborhood and their social class because they didnt have enough money. This boy put himself in danger by doing this to make his mom happy even though see didnt even love him. the feeling I go or the message i got was he was trying to get happiness through money, and that didnt work because in the end money doesnt bring happiness because at the end his mother becomes concerned with her son and started to love him and she lost her son.
pretty crazy story.
ReplyDeleteBut i think it still does and will always relate to society. People are greedy and once they get a taste of money, they always want more. The boy's family was never satisfied, and even when the mother received the news that she would receive money on her birthday every year for five years, she wanted all the money at once. Also, i think the story shows how kids notice things even when parents try to hide things. The boy said he could hear the house whisper "more money" and i think all kids can sense things like that. Like kids can sense their parents getting divorced before it actually happens, even if they try to ignore it, or how kids may know one of their parents is having an affair.
This story proves just how far someone will go to become wealthy. It shows that people care so much about money and appearing wealthy to others that they often lose themselves along the way. In society today, most people could probably relate to this story because it deals with the idea that money rules the world and without money you are nothing. Today's society is growing up based on the same notion that paul was raised with, and that is that without money you can not be happy or lucky.
ReplyDeleteThis story is a perfect example of today's society. Everyone is so focused on the idea of having money makes you popular or likable. In fact money does the complete opposite and makes you greedy and always wanting more, or to just have to top someone else. In the story the son was brought up thinking money is the most important thing and the key to happiness, which led him to do things such as gamble illegally and lie to his family.
ReplyDeleteMany people in today's society can relate to the theme of this story. A boy who is not very wealthy is told that he is not lucky. His mother says that to be lucky, you must be wealthy. Money and wealth is a big issue in today's economy and many are striving to get by financially. The boy in the story believes that obessing over gambeling will make him and his mother happier. If this is how many people feel in today's society, imagine how it will be in years from now.
ReplyDeleteThis story shows how our society will go through anything just to make a simple dollar. Money means everything to this boy and he will go through anything to get it. He had a good life but that was not enough.... he wanted more.He then began gambling at a young age just so he could fit in with his neighborhood. Hel felt that he did not fit in and wanted to make money to prove that he was worthy of being able to fit in. This shows how in today society people will go to any length just to make a little extra money even if it means you might loose it all.
ReplyDeleteThis story relates to today's society. Many people are so focused on being wealthy and doing whatever they can to become wealthy. They sometimes forget about the important parts of life and just want more money if they have it and if they don't have money then they want it. In this story the mother has an unhappy life and she blamed it on not having money. Her son becomes obsessed with getting money and when he gets it he gives it to his mother to try and make her happy. This happens today where people think money is the key to happiness but it is not.
ReplyDeleteThe Rocking Horse Winner relates to modern times because all people are obssessed with money and only money can bring happiness. Today's society is vey materialistic and people do anything to get money; steal, gamble, prostitution, gangs and also cheat.
ReplyDeleteangelica ferra
ReplyDeleteIn this story i think there is a deeper connection between this and the real world then what jumps out. The mother of the boy in the story represents today's greedy economy and the young boy represents the common worker trying to get by for his family. Throughout the story the mother (economy) gets greedier and greedier taking the boys money in large sums not caring about his feelings or anything. Eventually this was the downfall of the boy (worker).
ReplyDelete