Characters

The main characters of the short story “The Rocking-Horse Winner” by D. H. Lawrence are Paul and his mother, Hester. Paul is a boy who is deeply affected by his family’s poor financial situation, while Hester is a woman dissatisfied with her life, who cannot even love her children. 

Other characters worth mentioning are Bassett – the gardener, and Uncle Oscar. Bassett is Paul’s confidant and the one who helps him place bets in horse races. Paul’s Uncle Oscar listens to his nephew’s predictions and follows his instructions, but, at times, he seems to care more about money than about Paul. 

You can read a full characterization of Paul and Hester in the following pages.