The Depiction of the Woman in The Rocking Horse Winner
Summary:
Discusses how Hester is depicted in DH Lawrence's "The Rocking Horse Winner", focusing on what the reader can determine about her personality through her behavior and body language.
The role of women and mothers in today's society is not only immense, but essential to humanity. Similarly, the importance of the woman in "The Rocking Horse Winner" cannot be ignored. Lawrence uses several techniques such as direct exposition, description of her behaviour, and dialogue to describe the woman's chief character traits.
First of all, Lawrence uses direct exposition to portray Hester. When the story starts, Hester's unloving character is observable as she felt that her children "had been thrust upon her, and she could not love them" (365). Her physical appearance, such as the "deep lines...into her face" is used to describe her egocentric personality. As Hester's maternal feelings show up for the first time, she finally "noticed how overwrought he [Paul] was" (376) as a result of the derby championships. Another example where the author shows her caring side when she worries for her son and does "not want her son's privacy intruded upon" (378). Likewise, her loving side is evident when "he [Paul] lay dead; his mother heard her brother's voice" (380). Clearly, the writer uses direct exposition to enhance Hester's character; combining it with her behavioral traits, he definitely adds to the realism of the character.
Subsequently, by illustrating the woman's body language, her character traits are revealed to a greater degree. Lawrence shows how the woman is introvert when she tries "to hide something from him [Paul]" (367). Additionally, Hester's insensitivity can be seen as she pays "no attention to his [Paul's] assertion" (367). Furthermore, Lawrence shows Hester's self-centered personality when she "hid the letter under the pile of others, and said not a word about it" (375). The improvement in her character is clearly shown when she has "sudden strange seizures of easiness about him [Paul]" (378). As a result, Hester's altruistic side is magnified. Certainly, Lawrence makes use of behaviour to add to Hester's character; nonetheless, dialogue is used for further development in the character.
Finally, the use of dialogue depicts the woman's nature. Initially, her negative attitude towards working is shown when she says, "I will see if I can't make something" (365). Although she is willing to look for a job, she possesses a pessimistic attitude. Another example where Lawrence uses dialogue to illustrate the woman's character is when she has a conversation with her son, Paul:
"But why are we [poor], mother""
"Well - I suppose," she said slowly and bitterly, "it's because your father has no luck." (366)
Her negative characteristic is seen as she blames Paul's father for her misfortune. The woman's insensitivity is illustrated through dialogue once again as she sarcastically responds to Paul by saying "Excellent!" (367) when he says that he is "a lucky person" (367).
As the novel progresses, the woman becomes more loving. Lawrence uses dialogue to magnify this as well. For example, when she worries about Paul and says "promise me you won't let your nerves go to pieces...promise you won't think so much about horse racing and events" (377). Moreover, dialogue is used to show the woman's changed personality. This is visible when she is, for the first time, referred to by her name, "Hester" (380) - proving that she is important. Just with the use of dialogues, Lawrence describes the woman's personality to a great extent.
Conclusively, Lawrence uses superb writing tools such as colloquial expressions, behavioral description, and direct exposition to depict the character traits that Hester possesses. Although Hester's persona transforms through the story, Lawrence's writing techniques make it easier for the reader to adjust to the changed personality.
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