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The Rocking-Horse WinnerCOPY MASTER

Reading Check

Directions:Recall the events from D. H. Lawrence’s short story. Then answer the questions in phrases or sentences.

1.What idea fills the people in Paul’s house with anxiety?

2.What does Paul do to try to find luck?

3.What does Uncle Oscar find out from talking to Paul?

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4.What happens when Paul gives his mother her birthday present?

5.What causes Paul’s death?

6. Complete each of the following sentences.

Paul’s mother sees herself and her family as unlucky because

_____

Paul wants luck because

7. Underline one phrase in parentheses and then complete the sentence.

I think riding the rocking-horse symbolizes (the desire to excel, the mad pursuit of money, the search for meaning in life) because

8. Draw ConclusionsMatch each character with the role that luck plays in his or her life. Write the letter for the character on the line next to the correct description.

____1.A negative force that deprives the character of a son / a. Paul
____2.A neutral force, since good luck seems to make no real difference in this character’s life / b. Paul’s mother
____3.A positive force that quickly turns negative, bringing unhappiness and death / c. Oscar

9.Examine ImageryA controlling image is a single image that extends throughout a literary work. Lawrence describes Paul’s eyes as “unsure,” “uncanny,” and “wild-eyed”

to draw attention to

10.Interpret Theme Circle the theme that Lawrence is communicating about materialism.

a. It is only natural to aspire to a high standard of living.

b. The desire for money and social status can be a destructive force.

c. Social status determines how happy a person may be.

d. Children need to be taught not to be envious of the possessions of others.

Reading Skill

Draw Conclusions

In this story, luck plays a significant role in the characters’ lives, though Lawrence does not always explicitly state that role. To draw conclusions about the role of luck, you must combine information stated in the text with your inferences, or logical guesses, and your own prior knowledge.

Directions: In the chart, record stated information and your inferences about each character’s experiences with luck.

Character / Stated Information / Inferences
Paul
Paul’s mother
Oscar

Literary Analysis

Theme

The theme of a story is the underlying message about life or human nature that the writer wants readers to understand. In fiction, writers almost never directly state the theme. Instead, they develop it using literary elements.

Directions:Answer the questions in the graphic. Then use your answers to infer the message Lawrence is communicating about materialism.

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