Compare "The Rocking-Horse Winner" And "The Necklace" In Ter

Compare "The Rocking-Horse Winner" and "The Necklace" in terms of Themes and Characters

Although these two stories seem quite different, I would argue they are actually similar in important ways. Both "The Rocking-Horse Winner" by D.H. Lawrence and "The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant explore the destructive nature of materialism and the illusions of wealth. By analyzing their themes, characters, and symbols, we can better understand how these stories reveal the perils associated with obsession with money and superficial social status, despite their differing settings and plotlines.

"The Rocking-Horse Winner" is a story about a young boy named Paul who endeavors to bring financial stability to his family through an almost supernatural gift—his ability to predict racehorses by riding his rocking horse. His intense desire to please his mother and secure her love leads him to risk his health and ultimately his life. On the other hand, "The Necklace" tells the tale of Madame Loisel, a woman who yearns for wealth and social status far beyond her modest means. She borrows a necklace to appear affluent at a fancy ball, only to lose it and spend years paying off her debts to replace it, discovering too late that the necklace was fake. Both stories expose how material obsession blinds characters to true happiness and leads to tragic consequences.

Thematic Similarities

A central commonality in both stories is their exploration of materialism's destructive power. In "The Rocking-Horse Winner," Paul’s desire to win his mother’s affection and prove her worth is intertwined with the family's obsession with money. Despite their outward appearances of financial stability, they are haunted by a whispering voice within the house that demands more wealth—symbolizing the insatiable greed that drives them. Similarly, in "The Necklace," Madame Loisel's longing for social grandeur blinds her to her real life’s happiness. Her obsession with outward appearances and wealth leads her to borrow the necklace, which symbolizes wealth and status, only to find it was a worthless imitation. Both stories demonstrate how the obsession with riches can distort values and result in personal tragedy.

Characters as Symbols of Materialism

The characters in both stories serve as embodiments of societal obsession with wealth. Paul’s mother in "The Rocking-Horse Winner" symbolizes superficiality and greed, valuing material success over genuine love and contentment. Her obsession is so intense that she dismisses her child's love and sacrifices her own happiness for wealth, which ultimately leads to Paul's demise. Madame Loisel from "The Necklace" is similarly portrayed as vain and dissatisfied, believing she was meant for a luxurious life she cannot afford. Her envy and fixation on appearances drive her to borrow the necklace, and her subsequent suffering illustrates the dangers of valuing superficial riches over authentic fulfillment.

Symbolism and its Role in Conveying Themes

Both stories utilize powerful symbols to emphasize their messages about materialism. In "The Rocking-Horse Winner," the riding of the rocking horse symbolizes Paul’s desperate quest for luck and approval, as well as the madness of greed. His frantic riding indicates his obsession and the destructive nature of chasing wealth through superstition. The house’s whispering "there must be more money" underscores the insidious power of greed that corrupts even innocent children. In "The Necklace," the necklace itself symbolizes superficial wealth and social status. Its value, at first believed to be great, turns out to be insignificant—highlighting that appearances can be deceiving. Both symbols serve to critique societal values that associate worth with material possessions.

Differences in Approach and Outcome

While both stories focus on the dangers of materialism, their approaches and resolutions differ. "The Rocking-Horse Winner" presents a tragic inevitability—Paul’s relentless pursuit of luck and wealth culminates in his death, illustrating how obsession can ultimately destroy the individual. Conversely, "The Necklace" ends with a bitter realization that the character's sacrifices were for naught, as Madame Loisel discovers the necklace was fake after years of hardship. Nevertheless, both stories serve as cautionary tales warning readers about the false promises of wealth. Their differing outcomes also reflect contrasting societal views: Lawrence depicts a doomed innocence driven by familial expectations, whereas Maupassant critiques social pretensions and superficiality.

Conclusion

In conclusion, despite their differences in setting and plot, "The Rocking-Horse Winner" and "The Necklace" share core themes that critique society's materialistic values. Both stories reveal how obsession with wealth and superficial appearances distort genuine human relationships and lead to tragedy. The characters serve as allegorical figures who embody societal flaws—greed, envy, and superficiality—that threaten personal happiness and moral integrity. Through symbolic elements and narrative warnings, both authors articulate the destructive influence of materialism, making these stories enduring lessons on the perils of valuing riches over authentic human experience.

References

• Lawrence, D. H. (1932). The Rocking-Horse Winner. In Collected Short Stories. London: Martin Secker & Warburg.
• Maupassant, G. de. (1884). The Necklace. In Short Stories of Guy de Maupassant. Paris: R. Laffont.
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