DH Lawrence’s The Rocking Horse Winner Essay

Tormented family relationships stem from a number of occurrences. Jealousy, death, abuse, and many other factors can stress relationships to the betoken of demise. They can often originate from an individuals character and personality, or further affect it. Much of Lawrences writing contains the common theme of hurt family relationships. This theme can be seen in the short apologue The Rocking-Horse Winner through the terrible mother Hester, the anti-wise man Oscar Cresswell, and the sacrificial scapegoat Paul.Hester is portrayed as cold and shallow, accurately demonstrating the terrible mother archetype. Thus, she is a perfect example of the theme of tormented family relationships, present in the short story The Rocking-Horse Winner. When the authour describes what, E very(prenominal)one else said of her She is such(prenominal) a good mother. She adores her children. Only she knew herself and her children themselves this was not so (Lawrence 19). Hesters character is simply more concerned with wealth and her social image than her own children. She is very corrupted by society, and what society thinks of her. As a result of this, she neglects her children, and pays little attention to their needs. Hester proves to fit the terrible mother archetype, and this shows the present theme of tormented family relationships.Also, Hesters brother, Oscar Cresswell, advances the theme of tormented relationships by portraying the anti-old man archetype. It is evident that jealousy and family issues are present based on Oscars relationships with both his nephew Paul, and his sister Hester. The authour explains, The Uncle was bright to find that his small nephew was posted with all the racing news (Lawrence 22). Oscar inherited the family fortune, as Hester was left with her husband to depend on. Oscar does make an effort to help Hesters financial situation, although he is also very concerned with wealth and social status, neglecting to realize the near trouble Paul is fac ed with. Oscar uses his nephew, by exploiting Pauls gift for his own personal wealth, while Hester is struggling to meet her own desires. Oscar is portrayed as the opposite of a saviour, and more as a self-seeking man. This character archetype further proves the theme of tormented family relationships in the story.As well, Paul, Hesters son and Oscars nephew, is the young protagonist, who is searching for luck, but proves to be the sacrificial scapegoat, further proving the present theme. Neglected by his own mother, Paul is desperately trying to get her approval and her love. This is shown in the short story when Paul asks, Do you think Im lucky mother? I knew Malabar, didnt I? Over eighty thousand pounds I recall that lucky, dont you mother (Lawrence 33)? Even on Pauls deathbed, he is desperately scrambling to finally get his mothers approval. His luck ran out, and his pursuit as a hero was not fulfilled. Paul simply wanted to be enough for his mother. To finally prove himself, and win her love. His character can be classified as the sacrificial scapegoat archetype. Pauls desperate attempt for his mothers love proves the theme of tormented family relationships present in this story.Through the character archetypes of Hester, Paul, and Oscar Cresswell, the theme of tormented family relationships is proved to be shown in many aspects of the short story The Rocking-Horse Winner. Hesters lack of care and compassion towards her children, Oscars greed, and Pauls desperate attempt to prove himself to his mother, are only a few examples of this clear theme. This theme is not only present in the story, but in the lives of many. These tormented family relationships are often looked over, rather than interpreted as a part of an individuals personality.