Destructors and The rocking horse winner Essay Example

clear reason or motive. They are also uncertain about what to do after demolishing the house since their task does not require any specific skills. Conversely, in "The Rocking Horse Winner," the young boy named Paul has a distinct goal: to accumulate money as rapidly as he can.

The protagonist's actions required sharp and skilled judgment when choosing which horse to invest money on. The central conflict in 'the destructors' revolves around the younger generation's refusal to accept the authority of the elders. Conversely, the elders also feel that they are unjustly punished by the younger generation and that their energy is wasted on destructive and immoral behavior. This story serves as an example of a widening generation gap. In 'the rocking-horse winner', there is no explicit conflict but there is a significant amount of emotion and care portrayed in the relationship between the mother and son. Paul goes to the derby solely to fulfill his mother's instincts and desires.

The narrator demonstrates his affection for his mother by consistently providing her with a set sum of money on her birthday for five consecutive years. This act is intended to create a sense of good fortune for her, even if it only lasts for one day. It serves as an illustration of how younger generations can provide support and establish connections with their older family members, thus bridging the generation gap.
In "The Destructors," Mr. Thomas inadvertently becomes the victim of vandalism, leading to a complex situation. The climax takes place when the group of boys confines him.

'The rocking-horse winner' delves into the eternal human longing for riches and the consequent suffering

of the blameless. These concepts have endured over time and will persist in the future. Previously, during the time of slavery, innocent Africans were sacrificed to fulfill Europeans' hunger for wealth. Though societal change eradicated this oppression, it reemerged in a new guise with globalization, which exploits individuals in impoverished countries.

The themes of victimization and the endless pursuit of wealth in both stories may not have a resolution. Both stories center around two characters: Mr. Thomas and 'T' in "The Destructors," and Paul and his mother in the other story. 'T' is portrayed as rough, while Mr. Thomas pleads innocently. In contrast, Paul's mother has an insatiable desire for money and a strong ambition. However, Paul remains loyal to his mother and successfully achieves his goal, making him the hero of the story. The themes explored in each story are significantly distinct.

Both ‘The destructors’ and ‘The Rocking-horse winner’ explore the attitudes of the younger generation towards the past and material wealth. In ‘The destructors’, the young characters have a destructive desire to eliminate anything old or valuable, without considering how it may harm innocent people. Conversely, in ‘The Rocking-horse winner’, a boy becomes consumed with earning money to satisfy his mother's insatiable greed. Despite their contrasting plots, both stories convey the notion that any methods employed to achieve an ultimate goal are justified.

The younger generation is not excluded from the question of ethics. The authors have different narrative styles. Graham's style is mainly descriptive with less one-on-one dialogues, while Lawrence's style relies more on dialogues, particularly between Paul and his mother and Paul and his Derby colleagues. Both authors

are subtle in addressing issues, never directly pinpointing them but raising them through event descriptions.

The text suggests that "The Destructors" has a more straightforward plot compared to "The Rocking-horse Winner" which has multiple settings, causing a disruption in attention. Both stories aim to convey moral messages. Graham highlights the pain experienced by innocents who are victimized, as seen in his emphasis on his house. He also emphasizes the importance of younger generations valuing and learning from the rich experiences of their elders. Lawrence, on the other hand, focuses on two moral messages.

The text discusses the idea that an unquenchable thirst for wealth is not a virtuous trait as it can never be satisfied. It also emphasizes the significance of ethical methods in seeking wealth, showcasing how gambling can have destructive consequences when it results in losing more money than gaining. Ultimately, engaging in immoral and unethical behaviors always leads to negative outcomes. In summary, this underscores the importance of short stories in teaching moral values as they have a profound emotional and intellectual influence on readers.