The Rocking-horse Winner
UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT
1. What was the reason for young Paul’s restlessness at the
beginning of the story? How did it find expression?
Answer:
2. Why do you think Paul’s mother was not satisfied with the yearly
birthday gift of 1,000 pounds for five years?
Answer:
3. What was the reason for the anxiety of Paul’s mother as he
grew older?
Answer:
4. Paul’s final bet made the family rich but cost him his life.
Explain.
Answer:
TALKING ABOUT THE TEXT
Discuss the following in pairs or in small groups
1. ‘Luck is necessary for success in life’.
Answer:
2. Although Paul’s mother liked to be rich she did not approve of
betting on horses.
Answer:
3. What were the voices that Paul heard? Did they lead him to
success in the real sense?
Answer:
APPRECIATION
1. Examine the communication channels in the story between
a. Paul and his mother
b. Paul and Bassett
c. Paul and his uncle
d. Bassett and Paul’s uncle
e. Paul’s mother and his uncle.
2. How has the author linked the symbol of the rocking-horse to
Paul’s triumphs at the races?
3. The ending of the story is an instance of irony. Suppose Paul
had not died at the end, how would you have reacted to the story?
LANGUAGE WORK
1. ‘A bird in hand is worth two in the bush’.
a. Explain the above statement in the literal sense.
b. Explain it in the context in which it is mentioned in the story.
c. Is there a corresponding proverb in your own language?
2. Explain the following phrases
u Sure as eggs
u Spinning yarns
u Turned to dust
Use them in sentences of your own.
3. Given below is the dictionary meaning of
Smirk : to smile in a silly or unpleasant way that shows that you
are pleased with yourself.
Look up the dictionary for the following words which are also
related to facial expressions and write down the meaning of each
smile grin grimace sneer
SUGGESTED READING
1. ‘Sun and Moon’ by Katherine Mansfield.
DABP006747
