Please read "The Rockinghorse Winner" by D.H. Lawrence on p. 295 of the Perrine's "Literature" text (it's the yellow one on the cart) and answer questions 1,2,5,and 6 on a separate sheet of paper. Please answer questions below in the comments section below.
1. What is the theme of the story?
2. How would you have ended the story? Why?
1. The story has many themes, but the most important are obsession with material things and the neglect of other important things that comes with it. Hester's obsession with material things turned her marriage into dust and brought up their children to an unhealthy state of mind. The only care provided by Hester was one that was artificial and shallow, this of course was no secret to the children which ultimately caused he downfall of Paul.
ReplyDelete2. I would have ended the story with Paul telling her mother that all his efforts for her, something on the lines of "this was all for you mother! I wanted to be lucky for you!" It would've been a nice touch to the overall message of the story.
I really do appreciate the way you examine a text.
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Gabriela Ruiz:
ReplyDelete1. The theme of the story is that for some people, love cannot make up for the lack of material goods
2. I would have ended the story by letting the boy live to grow successful and rich, while the mother dies soon after the seizure, alone and poor
Do you think she ever loved Paul? What did you make of the green glow in the room?
DeleteWhat do you think of the adults in the story? 100
Delete1. The theme of this story is that money isnt the solution to all problems and that it onl1. The theme of this story is that money isnt the solution to all problems and that it only leads to more problems.the desire for it ruins everything and rottens the soul.
ReplyDelete2. I would of kept the ending the same to show the readers what the desire for money will do to you and how it ends up controling you and it even kills youyleads to more problems.
2. I would of kept the ending the same to show the readers what the desire for money will do to you and how it ends up controling you and it even leads you to death.
Do you think someone should have intervened for Paul and told him it was time to stop? What do you the ink of the various adults in the story?
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Jennifer morales
ReplyDelete1- I think the theme of the story was greed and how greed can blind us from what is really happening in front of us such as Paul's death and his mother not realizing that all he wanted was her approval and the whispering house of judgment and torment to end .
2- I would have ended the story by opening his mothers eyes letting her see and realize her many mistakes therefore making Paul's dying "wish " come true.
Would it matter to her even then?
DeleteThe theme of the story is the love of money is dangerous and destructive of all other love and even of life itself
ReplyDeleteI would have ended the story by his mom crying because it was her fault he died because he tried to pleasure her
PS listen to my mixtape JayE rick dropping August 31 2015
It's not out yet!
Delete1.The themes of this story is obsession, greed, and the concept of money. This is shown by Paul's mother feelings toward family and how Paul follows the same path. Obsession of money drives Paul crazy and there is no solution for this curse. The greed that is presented piles up in their hearts leading to a rotten heart. At the end, both of them had to pay a price and that was loosing a love one.
ReplyDelete2. I would have ended the story with Paul telling his parents why he always has money in his mind. Also the communication with each other is broken, and Paul blames it on his mother. This adds effect to message that the obsession of money is bad and it is supported by real-life effects,
Why didn't Paul just speak up in the story?
Delete1. I think that the theme of the story was greed. Because as the boy kept on making more money the whispers got louder and louder wanting more money.
ReplyDelete2.I would have ended the story by having the mother die instead of Paul because he only tried to make his mother happy. If she died she would have learned her lesson and Paul would learn to be unlike his mother.
How would you make her learn the lesson?
DeleteThe theme of the story is the one true fulfillment everyone wants out of life is to give and recieve love you can't force knowledge and predict the future because you won't be satisfied. Even money can't buy happiness.
ReplyDeleteI would have ended the story by letting the boy live to be old and rich and kill the mother off so he could realize that no matter what he did his mother would always be the same. All he wanted was to make his mother happy and if she died he could live to make himself happy instead of her. -yezenia
Ps:I did it during class but I didn't have signal and it wouldn't send I tried to submit my answer multiple time but it wasn't able.
Thanks!
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ReplyDelete1. The theme of the story is that greed and materialism can never be satisfied and destroy true happiness and peace.
ReplyDelete2. I would've not changed the ending. The ending clearly shows that the mother has gained a big sum of money but has lost her son in the process. This clearly shows the dangers and consequences of uncontrollable greed.
What do you think the text says about relationships and family?
Delete1. The themes of this story are obsession, greed and love. They come together to build up the story; Paul loves his greedy mother that cannot love anyone else due to her mindset of having money so much that he caused his own death. His mother caused him to be obsessive over gambling with the horse races to get money in order to satisfy her. He was also obsessed with the fact that he was "lucky" and tried to prove it to his mother. At the end we are again once shown how Hester can be so greedy. Her greed blinded her and she did not realize how her son was trying to make her happy by getting all this money for her.
ReplyDelete2. I would of ended the story by making Hester die instead of Paul. Hester never did love Paul and never did realize or appreciate how much he did for her. In my opinion, Paul was such a noble son that loved his mother and did everything in order to satisfy her greediness. Paul did not deserve to die, the mom didn't even open her eyes after his death.
Darn near flawless answer to #1. Can you spot the tiny flaw in #2?
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ReplyDeleteLydia Alejo
ReplyDelete1. The theme of the story is that even though one may be lucky or unlucky, poor or rich, money will always be a necessity; the obsession and wanting of it will increase as one takes more into one's hands, blinding us from the reality and one's surroundings. In the story the boy Paul works hard to obtain money from horse racing games for his mother in order to silence the whispering sounds he hears at his house. However, when the mother receives the money the noises start to get louder than they were before, demanding more money. The mother only worries about the money and how she will use it that she is blinded enough to not see that one of her children is not well in state.This supports the idea that the obsession for money can take one away from reality and blinds one enough to kill one, such as Paul who became obsessed with money to obtain large amounts of it in order to help his "unlucky" mother but ended up dying in front of her.
2. I would have ended the story by not letting Paul die since he did work hard enough for a kid to obtain large amounts of money. Also, I would have the mother realize her mistakes and tell Paul to stop and that he has done much for her already, to show a sympathetic scene where the mother and son portray their feelings to each other, in order to convey that in life even though money can blind us with obsession, one's feelings and humanity towards others can rescue us from its blindness.
I really like the way you think Lydia.
DeleteAdriana Puente
ReplyDelete#1.I think the theme of this story is obsession with money. This is especially seen through Hester, Paul's mother,who never thinks she has enough money or material wealth.Hester ignores her children and focuses on the material wealth that she thinks she should have or deserve. This results in Paul trying time make up for the lack of material success that would make his mother happy. This results in the tragic death of Paul, who is able to provide his mom with wealth, which costs his life and his mother is still not happy or satisfied.
#2. I think the ending shouldn't change because it shows the consequences of what greed can cause in it's extreme matters.
The theme of the story was greed and the love for money. Money was the primary necessity for Paul's mother and since they had a lack of it the house started "whispering," the need of money. This problem soon became Pauls which he made his full goal to reach, but how can he make a goal when he doesn't know what he wants to accomplish. He was torn between the love for his mother and being the provider for her. Love can not be bought with luxuries or bliss. The mother should have cherished the son as who he was; a dependable and allegiant son.
ReplyDelete2. I didn't finish reading since I went to take the HOSA test..
1. The theme of this story is obsession and money. As the story progresses you read and hear about money, money, and more money. The lack of economic wealth is so ridiculous it even makes the house whisper for more money.
ReplyDelete2. I would have ended the story by giving Paul a second chance to live because he doesn't deserve to die at an early age. And the mother should of realize what she was actually doing for Paul. Most of these adults are somewhat oblivious because they allow Paul to transpire such things. Making this story a little bit controversial due to having the story end with many alternatives.
1. The theme of the story is that an obsession with money can destroy a person and or family. In this story Paul was a victim of his parents greed. It got to the point were the child provided for the parents without them knowing and when he couldn't provide anymore he stressed himself to his own death bed.
ReplyDelete2. Truthfully I like the ending but if I'd had to change anything it would be the fact that the mom never thanked her son. I feel like he deserved at least a thanks and the mom should have been able to say thank you since he did it for her.
Lovely.
Delete1. The theme of the story is that money is the root of all evil. WE see this in how the characters constantly want for money. This desire leads the characters into either debt or a slow dissent into madness that ends in death.
ReplyDelete2. I would have changed the fact that Paul died. I would have had him reach the brink of death and then experience an epiphany in which he learns his lesson. I would then have him jolted back into reality to go on living his life as a new man. I would also have made it to where his mother knew where the money came from. I feel like it's only fair since Paul was previously mocked in the story for being "lucky". I think he should have a chance to show his mother that he was in fact that.
1.The theme of the story was obsession with money and greedy .Money was and obsession for Paul's mother that all you heard in the house was that there was lack of money that they needed more money that the walls started to whisper .This resulted in Paul trying to get money for his mom so that she would be happy and satisfied .Paul would stress himself out trying to find ways to win his mom more money but he died of the stress.
ReplyDelete2.I would have ended the story with his mother realizing that money was not the most important thing ,that money should not been the cause of her sons death .and realizing that she should of been more caring and loving to her children
1.The theme of this story is greed/materialism. Paul was only trying to help his mom be happy but even after he helped her he grew an obsession towards winning money. On the other side, his mom had always been selfish and her obsession with money only became stronger as well.
ReplyDelete2. I wouldn't change the ending because it portrays exactly what could be the outcome of materialism/greed, in this case the death of Paul.
The theme of the story is the obsession with money and social statuses. The whole more of the story is to realize that love and family is more important than money and social status.
ReplyDeleteI would end the story so that the mother could suffer and realize that money and social status is not as important as family and love. I wouldn't let the kid die because he gave all his life to satisfy and keep his mother happy. He doesn't need to get his mother's approval to be happy.
1. The them is don't let your original intentions to be covered with greed or it will kill you. Paul only wanted to make his mother happy by getting money that he thought she deserved, but towards the end it was no longer about the money. He had a hunger and urge to repeatedly go back to the rocking horse so he could win the bets and the approval of his mother.
ReplyDelete2. I would've ended the story the same as Lawrence did. I don't think it would've been likely for him to just " snap out of it" and go back to his normal self. His death was the only way to end it all. At least his death provided an example to his family and those around him.
1.The THEMES of the story is neglect,obsession,quest, and deceit.For me, the moral of the story is that people are more important than material things. This is something the boy's mother loses sight of in her hunger for more money.
ReplyDelete2.I wouldn't change the ending of the story because it demonstrates the cause and effect of money and greed. Plus it's a good plot twist.
Alexis Gomez with no middle name. :-)
ReplyDelete1. One of the themes of "The Rocking-Horse Winner" is greed. Paul's mother cared more about money than she did anything else. In fact, her definition of luck was having money. She had beautiful children and a loving husband but that meant nothing compared to her love for money. Her irrepressible greed led to the death of her son.
2. I would have ended the story with Paul dying and his mother realizing that money and social status isn't as important as her family.
The theme of the story is neglect and obsession. the mother had an horrible obsession with money. she was never satisfied. also she was very neglectful towards her children. the overall moral of the story is to love your family and be grateful.
ReplyDeleteI would not change the ending because if the mother had died instead of Paul then he would be depressed and grieving. That would not be fair at all to the child.
1. The theme of this story is to show the disappointment, money could bring to a unstable family. In this story you have a mother, who thinks of non the less nut money and how to spend it. Yet, having a nice-house with service doesn't bring her fulfillment of inner joy. Her desires are only her defects, she has to not meet with what she can afford. As said in the story they both had jobs, but very low incomes to provide for the house or riches they have. She foolishly blamed herself and her husband for having no luck. We also see how "too much desire" could lead to a unpleasant death.
ReplyDelete2. As much as it is sad for Paul to die, I wouldn't change his death. Sometimes a loss for something that brought you a "alternative" happiness, hurts more than a second chance to live for someone who doesn't love you. Recognition, is all the mother has to witness now, how she gained all her money but was still cold hearted and ignorant. It would be nice to see what would've come off her in the future. I wonder if she could've kept living with herself or see her flaws as a mother and reconsider her past.
(This is Edgar Garcia P.2 Work)
1. The theme of the story is tragedy, and the irony of greed and determination.
ReplyDelete2. I would've kept the ending the same because the boy needed peace and he could only achieve that peace if he died. There was no peace at his home or at the track or even within himself. The ending was sort of a dramatic ending but a good one for the boy because he won the money but it is also tragic because I believe that the mother will spend the money on keeping up an image.
(Kamryn Crowder 1st pd)
Elsie Kindall
ReplyDelete1. The theme is greed. Everybody in the story expected something from life. The young boy wanted to be love and everyone else wanted to be lucky. In other words, they wanted to be rich. The ending shows us how desires can lead to death.
2. I would leave the ending the same because it shows the effect of greed. Everyone wanted material items and did not care about showing affection toward eachother. Because of this, the young boy felt neglected. He tried and tried his best with the luck he believed he had to please everyone, specifically his mother and died.He failed to get the love he wanted. This teaches a life lesson; greed kills mankind.
The theme of the story is greed. The mother's greed led to the downfall of her marriage, and it was the reason for her unhappiness. She always wanted more and more, and her children, especially Paul, saw straight through this. Her greed eventually led to Paul's death, and the continuous of her state of being unlucky.
ReplyDeleteI would not have ended the story with Paul dying. I would have liked for him to realize that he didn't need to prove that he was lucky to his mother. I would have made Paul leave to live with his uncle, and for his mother live a life of honest property and die an old hag while Paul.
1. The theme of this story is greed and obsession. The family had a big obsession over money the only person that didn't care about it was Paul all he ever wanted was his mother to love him. The mother was greedy all she wanted was more and more money.
ReplyDelete2. i would have ended the story the same way because it teaches the reader a life lesson, it shows how you cant buy happiness. Family is always more important than anything else, Paul died without getting the love from his mother
The theme is neglect and greed. The mother never really paid attention to Paul and all he wanted was to be loved and seen by her. The mother just wanted money so she could show society that she could afford what others could. Once Paul shows that he has and can get a lot of money he thinks that it will get his mother's attention, but it doesn't really get her attention. His mother just starts using his money and by trying to get her attention Paul doesn't really see what his mother is doing. In the end Paul ends up dying while trying to make his mother happy.
ReplyDeleteI like the ending just the way it is, but if I had to change it then I wouldn't have killed Paul. I would've killed his mother instead because his mother never really cared for him and only wanted money to spend. Paul tried to get his mother's attention but even after everything he did his mother still only cared for money. His mother should've died and Paul should have realized that his mother wouldn't care for him. He should've just let the hope for his mother go and just go on with his life.
I believe the theme of this story is that the knight couldn't save the damsel in distress. Those are elements of a fairytale, the midnight being Paul and the damsel his mom. Paul would be the knight because, well he ride his horse and tried to help his mom with the payments. While the mom was the damsel in distress because she needed more money, and she racked her brains trying to find something new.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't change anything. The ending was shockingly tragic, that it doesn't make you want to hate the mom or wish Paul was alive. The guilt of driving her son mad and lastly to the grave should be enough torture for the mom. But if I could do anything to the ending, it'd be an epilogue. I'd like to see how both the mom and the uncle dealt with the guilt.
1. The theme of the story is greed and obsession. The family has a big obsession over money. All Paul wanted was to be loved and everyone else in his family wanted luck. The mother was greedy and all she wanted was more money.
ReplyDelete2.I wouldn't change anything in the story. Even though the ending was very tragic, it taught the reader a very important life lesson. It taught the reader that money can not buy happiness. Also it showed us that family is more important than money.
1) I think the themes greed, because the mother ingrained in the kid's head, "if you don't have money then you're unlucky." and the kid wanted to prove to his mother that he was lucky which is why he continued to gamble.
ReplyDelete2) i wouldn't change anything in the story because it gives a message basically saying you don't know what you have until its gone.
SKYELAR CULBERSON
ReplyDelete1) "Obsession of money"; Hester, Paul's mother, has thought that she will never have enough money.
2) Instead of Paul dying to please his mom, I would change it to where Paul would make it where he had given up from pleasing her and let her suffer to finally realize how her greed of more money has an exceedingly negative impact on her family.
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ReplyDeleteSORRY MR. JESSUP THE COMMENT DID NOT GO THREW THE FIRST TIME!
ReplyDeletethe theme of the story is selfishness and impurity in the way you think. causing you to lose sight of what is right in front you, good or bad.causing you to not be able to live in the moment, and always regretting your past never really living on form that point of your life.
I would have ended the story with: the mother and her son. The son begging her for her approval towards his life trying to convince her that he is not like his father and I like his her,that he is lucky. The mother crying over him as he's dying on his deathbed. screaming don't go as he fades away. As he dies the word slipped out of the mother's mouth "goodbye money".
Avana Molden
ReplyDelete1. The theme of the story is money can't buy you happiness or more money more problems. Now, these two themes are pretty cliché, but they work for right here. Paul wanted to get more and more so the house would stop whispering, yet the more money that came in the louder the house became. Also, when Paul started giving his mother 1,000 dollars she wanted all of it at one time and completely wasted it.
2. I would have ended the story with allowing Paul to hear he won all of that money. I think this may have sufficed for a fairy tale, a very sad one, but a fairy tale. I feel that of Paul knew he had won all that money he wouldn't have stress on him any more, he would be able to die in peace.
1.Theres many themes in this story but the most important one is neglet, selfishness and greed. The mother loves money and the opinion of oter more than his son.
ReplyDelete2. I wouldve left the ending the same so that the mother could feel remorseful and understand how wrong she was.