Thursday, February 5, 2009

Today you will do your first journal and then answer questions relating to “The Rocking Horse Winner”. The questions are posted below, as are the instructions. This should be completed today (or Monday if you are not here) as we will mark it on Monday.

Short Story: The Rocking-Horse Winner
By D.H. Lawrence

INSTRUCTIONS: Answer each of these questions FULLY (this means complete sentences with the question flipped into a statement). You may work on this with a partner BUT you must maintain a volume of about 3 out of 10 (in other words, a volume that doesn’t extend beyond you two and into other groups). If the volume level is too high, I will give you ONE reminder… and then your group will cease to exist.

1. Describe the mother in this story (character sketch, background information,
relationship to children) (3)

2. What is always known but never spoken when it comes to this family? (1)

3. What does Paul's mom associated with the accumulation of money? (1)

4. What is Paul's explicit goal? (1)

5. What is Paul’s ultimate goal? (1)

6. What is Paul really hoping to get by achieving these goals? Why did he feel the need
to achieve this? (2)

7. What problems does Paul face in this story? (3)

8. Who does Paul form a "relationship" with? (2) Why? (1)

9 What evidence is there that Paul's mother is irresponsible with money? (two things).
What does the uncle say that foreshadows this? (3)

10. One of the central themes in this story is "ethical and moral questions". Prove this is
so. (3)

11. What connotations are associated with money? (4)

12. What is the irony that is presented in this story? (2)

13. What two major issues that are present today are present in this story? Explain. (5)