The Rocking Horse Winner: Irony and Symbolism
...e cause of his death. Paul’s mother allowed herself to be resigned to the fact that fate had dealt her an unlucky hand. In reality, Paul’s mother was incredibly lucky she just couldn’t see it. In a time when women rarely had the luxury of marrying for love, she did. In a time when many children died in childbirth “she had three healthy children.” She had a house to live in, but she wasn’t happy with it. The only thing that would make her happy was more money. “There must be more money.” Was it really money that she wanted though, or was it love? In the story money is a symbolic substitute for love and affection. If her husband could get her money then she was loved by him and she would love him. If society would pay her for her artistic skills, then she was loved by society. It is no wonder her son thought that if he could be lucky and get money,...