The Rocking-Horse Winner by D. H. Lawrence, and the Lottery by Shirley Jackson

Abstract

In Shirley Jackson’s short story, “The Lottery”, the townspeople engage in a yearly ritual of drawing a name from a mysterious black box.  It is a tradition that no one questions the reasons for the event.  The drawing relies merely on luck or unluckiness of the draw.  In D.H. Lawrence’s short story, “The Rocking-Horse Winner”, the family lives above their means, and the mother blames their misfortune on bad luck. There never seems to be enough money to fulfill their wants and needs.  However, the young son Paul, finds luck in betting on horse races to accommodate his family for a short while.  

        Keywords: luck, tradition, ritual, misfortune

Introduction

In “The Rocking-Horse Winner,” by D. H. Lawrence, and “The Lottery,” by Shirley Jackson, both short stories illustrate that the pursuit of luck and winning can have detrimental effects.  There is suspense in both stories that draws the reader into sympathizing with both characters, Paul and Tessie”.  The plot in "The Rocking-Horse Winner" by D. H. Lawrence reveals the reason  Paul is pursuing luck is really to win his mother’s love.  Lawrence uses the mother, Hester, as an example to convey to the readers that materialism damages love and ultimately leads to devastation.  The plot in Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” shows the irony that not all traditions are practiced with good intentions.  Jackson reveals that the townspeople have become blind to morals because of tradition, and this reckless following leads to terrible ethical consequences.  

Compare

The theme in both “The Rocking-Horse winner” and “The Lottery” is the tragic irony that winning can have terrible consequences.  A lottery typically provides a sense of hope, and winning is a positive outcome.  A lottery is usually fair and you win prizes or money. However, the reader soon discovers this is not a lottery that you want to win. In Jackson’s short story, it is not about what is won, but rather what is lost.  The people have lost their reasoning and principles.  The townspeople have become so accustomed to their tradition that they no longer question morals or humanity.  They believe the lottery brings good fortune for their crops, and they do not have reservations about stoning the lucky winner.  “The Lottery” illustrates a dark side of people, and the potential for rituals to deteriorate morals.  

In “The Rocking-Horse winner”, Paul is in pursuit of luck and hoping to win his mother’s love in return.  His mother Hester, is so concerned with the expectations of society and keeping an image of wealth that she lacks concern and love for her children.  She is so consumed with money that she cannot possibly find room in her heart for love.  Hester blindy follows society’s rules that wealth determines happiness that she is constantly in search of luck to obtain more money.  Paul, unfortunately, welcomes the same idea of luck and wants to make his mother happy.  Lawrence uses this pursuit of money to illustrate how materialism can lead to tragedy not winning.  Although Paul is winning horse races and giving his mother money, it is never enough and only leads to Hester wanting more money.  Even though the family has more money, Paul still doesn’t win his mother’s love and he ultimately loses his life.