Setting

Physical setting

The events described in the short story “The Rocking-Horse Winner” by D. H. Lawrence take place in England as we can see from the mention of the “Grand National”, the “Lincolnshire” and the “Derby ”, which are horse races held in England. At one point, Uncle Oscar takes Paul and Bassett to Richmond Park, which is a park in London. 

The story’s focus is mainly on the house where Paul and his family live: “They lived in a pleasant house, with a garden, and they had discreet servants, and felt themselves superior to anyone in the neighbourhood”. Although the family house is comfortable, Hester and her husband have expensive tastes and the desire to keep up to their social position. Consequently, children receive “expensive and splendid toys” and the house is filled with luxuries like “flowers in the winter” and “new furnishings”. 

Throughout the story, th...