Insanity In D. Lawerence's The Rocking Horse

This story is one of Lawerence’s most popular, as it resonates with so many, due to their struggle for wealth, and the insanity that that struggle can bring. Written by English author D.H Lawerence, “The Rocking Horse Winner” is a short story originally published in 1926. Through this story, Lawerence focuses on the theme and idea that obsession can lead to insanity. Lawrence develops the theme of obsession through formalism, particularly through the use of imagery and metonymy. The imagery that Lawerence uses throughout the story works to emphasize the insanity that Paul spirals into as he becomes obsessed with being luck and winning bets for horse races. The description used for Paul when he is riding his rocking horse depicts it as extremely

The larger issue being shown through the story is stated in the beginning, with the Pauls mother, Hester, being bitter and stresses by their lack of money, as opposed to altering their lifestyle to mirror the wealth that the family actually has, as opposed to the wealth that they want. “There was always the grinding sense of the shortage of money, though the style was always kept up” (Lawrence 1). This shows the struggle of many, on a much larger scale than just Lawerence’s story, bringing attention to the plight for wealth shared by thousands, and their denial of their actual economic status, which often leads to the anxiety that Hester experiences, which is the beginning of a downward spiral into insanity for many. Paul’s insanity comes to a head with his death, and the larger point of the story becomes evident with the final lines of the story, spoken by Oscar. “My God, Hester, you’re eighty-odd thousand to the good, and a poor devil of a son to the bad” (Lawrence 18). This emphasized the larger point of the story: that obsession with money and wealth will only lead to tragedy, and yet, many people will still prioritize money over others. This is shown through the sole fact that Oscar mentions the money that his sister now has, as opposed to comforting her