The Rocking Horse WinnerLevels of Symbolism

D.H Lawrence and “The Rocking Horse Winner”:

Levels of Symbolism


Symbolic themes are commonplace in literary art. Whether used directly or indirectly by the author, these themes have been analyzed by several prominent critics, all having many different ideas about what lies beneath the literal wording of the story. In D.H Lawrence’s “The Rocking Horse Winner”, many symbolic ideas are conveyed throughout the story. Every character has unique characteristics which portray different symbolic themes and ideas. Now, many different symbolic layers can be seen in “The Rocking Horse Winner”.
The first of many themes in the story is money. For example, we read about the husband in “The Rocking Horse Winner:”
“… as for her husband , we cannot even guess what he is; he gives too few clues. Failing to supply the luxuries he and his wife demand, he has withdrawn, ceased to exist. The one thing he could always give- himself, the person he is-seems...