The Rocking-Horse Winner Analysis
48 Questions
1 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What main feeling permeates the atmosphere of the house described in the content?

  • Joy and contentment
  • Satisfaction with modest living
  • Indifference to material things
  • Desperation for wealth (correct)

    • What does Paul inquire about that indicates his concern for the family's financial status?

  • His mother's job prospects
  • The reasons for expensive toys
  • The need for a family car (correct)
  • Why they don't visit relatives more often

    • What does the mother suggest is the reason for their financial struggles?

  • The father's bad luck (correct)
  • The children's extravagant demands
  • Uncle Oscar's lack of support
  • Their expensive tastes

    • How do the children react when they hear the whispering phrase about money?

    <p>They acknowledge it silently among themselves</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Paul mistakenly believe 'filthy lucre' refers to in his conversation with his mother?

    <p>Wealth</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the mother imply about 'luck' when she discusses it with Paul?

    <p>Luck does not guarantee money</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which character represents the voice of material desire in the household?

    <p>The doll</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is often implied by the children's reaction to the phrase about money?

    <p>They sense a deep tension regarding finances</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What amount did Uncle Oscar decide to put on Mirza at the races?

    <p>Twenty pounds</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which horse did the child choose to place a bet on?

    <p>Daffodil</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How much money did the child end up with after Daffodil won?

    <p>Four five-pound notes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the child's impression of Bassett's financial acumen?

    <p>He assumed Bassett kept a larger reserve.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did Uncle Oscar request regarding his discussion with Bassett?

    <p>To keep the betting private.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the child's demeanor while watching the race?

    <p>He looked calm and focused.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why did Uncle Oscar take Paul and Bassett to Richmond Park?

    <p>To discuss racing events and betting.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the reaction of the child when he was asked if he was serious about his supposed winnings?

    <p>He replied confidently that he was serious.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the amount Paul initially wagered on the horse?

    <p>One thousand</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the house whispering?

    <p>It represents the family's financial struggles.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How much did Oscar Cresswell win from the horse race?

    <p>Two thousand</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why did Paul not want his mother to know about his luck?

    <p>He thought she would stop him from betting.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did Paul plan to provide financial support to his mother?

    <p>By arranging for yearly gifts through his uncle.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does Paul feel about the whispers in the house?

    <p>He hates them, associating them with financial troubles.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the rationale behind Uncle Oscar's deception regarding the money?

    <p>To provide a surprise for Paul's mother’s birthday.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Paul hope to achieve by being lucky in betting?

    <p>To break the cycle of misfortune in the family.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Paul use to encourage the horse during his ride?

    <p>A whip</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does Paul's sister, Joan, feel about his riding habits?

    <p>She wishes he would stop</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is Paul's attitude towards speaking to others while riding?

    <p>He ignores everyone</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Paul demonstrate when he announces, 'Well, I got there'?

    <p>Confidence</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Uncle Oscar think of Paul's interest in horse racing?

    <p>He is delighted</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the name of the horse Paul rode last week?

    <p>Sansovino</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who does Paul frequently ask for information about racing?

    <p>Bassett</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What expression does Paul's mother have while watching him ride?

    <p>Anxious</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Paul's mother express concern about regarding her son?

    <p>His wellbeing and anxiety before the Derby</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is Paul's response to his mother's worries about the Derby?

    <p>He assures her he won't think too much about it.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Paul desire instead of a rocking horse?

    <p>A real horse</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does Paul describe his rocking horse?

    <p>Rather shabby but keeping him company</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What sudden feeling does Paul's mother experience about him before the Derby?

    <p>A rush of anxiety and uneasiness</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did Paul's mother do during a party when she felt anxious about him?

    <p>Telephoned to inquire about his wellbeing</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Paul's mother think about her feelings of anxiety towards him?

    <p>They are irrational and should be ignored</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What emotion does Paul's mother feel when she calls the nursery-governess?

    <p>Anguish and concern about her son</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What significant event did Oscar Cresswell partake in regarding Malabar?

    <p>He placed a bet of a thousand pounds.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did Paul's mother feel about Bassett's visit during her son's illness?

    <p>She initially opposed but later agreed.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was Paul's condition as he lay on the pillow?

    <p>He was tossing and restless.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What amount did Paul's winnings from Malabar amount to?

    <p>Over eighty thousand pounds.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which phrase best encapsulates Paul's belief about luck?

    <p>He thought he could control his luck through actions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to Paul by the end of the excerpt?

    <p>He dies during the night.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does Paul's mother react to the news of his winnings?

    <p>She is saddened by the loss of her son.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Bassett whisper to Paul as he lies in bed?

    <p>Malabar won the race.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    The Rocking-Horse Winner

    • A beautiful woman, despite advantages, felt unlucky. She married for love, but it turned to dust.
    • She had children, but felt they were thrust upon her, unable to fully love them.
    • Her children sensed a lack of genuine love from her.
    • Despite outward appearances of a good mother, she lacked genuine affection for anyone, particularly her children.
    • The family lived in a nice house but felt financially anxious.
    • A boy, Paul, struggled with the family’s financial concerns and felt a strong need for money.
    • He believed luck was the key to wealth and chased it relentlessly on a rocking horse obsessively.
    • Paul’s obsession with winning intensified as wealth and status became increasingly important to him.
    • His mother sensed his obsession but didn't understand the depth of his concerns.
    • Paul’s single-minded pursuit of a win led him to find success with a horse race, and he won dramatically.
    • Even though wealth followed his victory, Paul is ultimately consumed by his obsession.
    • He became ill and died, at a young age.

    Character Analysis

    • Paul: A young boy driven by a desperate need for money. He believed luck was the key.
    • Mother: Beautiful, but lacks genuine affection. She is consumed by social expectations. She represents the idea that material possessions cannot fulfil emotional needs.
    • Uncle Oscar: A figure who represents the pursuit of wealth but seems to lack depth.

    Studying That Suits You

    Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

    Quiz Team

    Related Documents

    The Rocking-horse Winner PDF

    Description

    Explore the themes and characters in 'The Rocking-Horse Winner', a poignant story about luck, obsession, and familial love. The narrative focuses on Paul's desperate quest for financial security and his mother's emotional distance, highlighting the complexities of their relationship. Test your understanding of this influential work and its deeper meanings.

    More Like This

    Use Quizgecko on...
    Browser
    Open
    Browser
    Browser