The Rocking-horse Winner
By D.H. Lawrence

Before-reading strategies: This story is a required read based on the course that I am taking. I am familiar with the author as I have read two other pieces that he has published while I was in high school. He is considered a visionary thinker for his time, however criticized for his work while alive. The descriptive wording is challenging due to the era in which it was written. Much of the references in the story will be of the United Kingdom where the author resided. I may have to refer to the internet to understand some of the terminology. The story title refers to a child’s toy which started to become popular around the 19th century.

During-reading strategies:
There are four characters this story and all on a quest for money. A mother that is cold and selfish, a boy that tries to make his mother happy, a gardener that helps the boy with his quest for money and an uncle that keeps a secret. The writing style and story setting is that of the early 1900’s. A young boy had the power to predict the outcome of horse races and is able to bet on the races accordingly, to help his mother with her financially problems. The young boy tries so hard to help his mother that he puts himself in an unconsciousness state.

After-reading strategies:
Very sad to relies that the greed and want, will prevails over the love of a child. The death of the boy was predictable to the outcome of the story. The greed of many to the cost of few. I still question the role and whereabouts of the father. It’s the simple greed of a life style required to a family without the financial backing.
Literary theory of Formalism:
Protagonist: The Protagonist in this story is a young boy by the name of Paul. Paul is on a quest to help his mother financially. He predicts the outcome of horse race and by placing bet with the help of Bassett the