The Rocking Horse Winner

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the bulleted outlines below. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. At the core of Lawrence’s story is the bond between a mother and her son, Paul.

• Which aspects of this parent-child relationship does Lawrence most illuminate? (topic sentence)
• Find 2-3 examples of this relationship in the story and analyze the connection.
• How does Lawrence’s characterization of the parent-child relationship speak to his larger point regarding The Unhealthy Relational Dynamic of Emotional Incest?

2. Paul wants to know the true nature of luck.

• How does the story explain what luck is? Is Paul as lucky as he says he is? (topic sentence)
• Cite 2-3 examples from the text to develop your answer.
• How does Paul’s understanding of luck link to Lawrence’s theme of Luck: Fortune and Providence?

3. Contrast Paul’s generosity with his mother’s greed.

• What does Paul give, and what does his mother take—and how so? (topic sentence)
• Identify 2-3 examples where Lawrence contrasts this duo’s opposing qualities against each other.
• How does this asymmetric relationship speak to the theme of The Malignant Insatiability of Greed?

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by text details, and a conclusion.

1. Consider the role of Uncle Oscar in the story. Why do you think that Lawrence chose Paul’s uncle, as opposed to his father, to support the acquisition of money? How does this character function overall in Paul’s development throughout the story? Ultimately, is Uncle Oscar motivated by familial love in his actions? Why or why not?

2. Bassett says Paul’s intuition seems to be “from heaven,” yet Uncle Oscar calls his nephew a “poor devil.” Consider the way in which religion functions within the context of the story. Is Paul’s prophecy a gift from God or a bargain with the devil? Explain your position, using specific details from the text.