The Lumber Room and The Rocking Horse Winner Essay Example

gooseberry garden but ultimately returns home. Afterward, he retrieves the key from the library shelf and employs the methods he learned at school to open the schoolroom door. He successfully accomplishes this and finds himself inside the room. The boy mentions, ' "All except twenty pounds. I keep that in reserve" '. Personally, I believe Paul's view on gambling is that it relies on luck and one cannot always be fortunate. This is why he sets aside twenty pounds, so that if he loses, he won't lose all of his money.

Both characters in the story demonstrate their keen observation skills by noticing the importance of the lumber room and the rocking-horse. Their ability to perceive these details showcases their attention to detail. For instance, Nicholas is able to interpret a tapestry in the lumber room, noting that while it may be simple and fascinating, he also notices something remarkable – that four wolves are approaching the huntsman in the picture. This suggests that Nicholas realizes that a huntsman can simultaneously be the hunter and the hunted.

Paul, on the other hand, views the rocking-horse as both luck and a real horse, believing it will lead him to victory in a horse race. This explains his intense focus while riding the rocking-horse, as he imagines himself competing and winning in a real race. While there are some similarities between the two characters, they also have many differences. For example, I perceive Nicholas as a mysterious young boy who prefers to work alone, which is evident in his strategizing to gain access to the lumber room.

He pranks his aunt by using a chair to acquire the key, practices

by using the key to the schoolroom, and successfully enters the lumber room alone. Unlike Nicholas, Paul values collaboration and cooperation, as he states, "We are partners. We've been partners from the first. Uncle, he lent me my first five shillings, which I lost. I promised him, honor bright, it was only between me and him;..." This reinforces his trust in Bassett and their partnership in gambling.

In addition, one character is depicted as rebellious while the other is portrayed as caring and loving. Nicholas' rebellious nature is revealed when he refuses to lend a hand to his aunt after she falls into the rain-water tank. He suspects that it may not be his aunt's voice, but rather the voice of the Evil One trying to tempt him into disobedience. Despite his aunt often mentioning how the Evil One tempts him and he always gives in, this time Nicholas decides not to give in. On the other hand, D. H. Lawrence presents Paul as a character who is loving, caring, and responsible.

Despite his mother's lack of affection, the protagonist is determined to attract her attention. Following his victory in a horse race, he requests his lawyer to secretly give his mother the winnings as a five-year birthday present, without her knowledge, at a rate of one thousand per year. This act demonstrates Paul's responsibility as he seeks financial means to put an end to gossip and earn his mother's love. Upon comparing and contrasting Nicholas and Paul, it becomes evident that Nicholas possesses a rigid personality while Paul is more dynamic.

Nicholas remains mischievous and disobedient throughout the story, from his initial act of informing his aunt

about the frog in his meal to his ultimate rebellion against her. In contrast, Paul undergoes a transformation in his personality, transitioning from a naive and innocent boy to someone mentally and emotionally tormented. This torment ultimately leads to his death due to extreme anxiety and brain fever. I believe these two characters effectively drive the narratives of the two short stories. D. H. Lawrence and H. Munro Saki skillfully use Nicholas and Paul as vehicles for their respective ideas.