Symbols Represent
By: Kelsey Barker
What do you think of when someone says the words “olive branch?” Do you think
of peace or goodwill? What about our flag? When you see it, do you think about
freedom? Everywhere you look, there are symbols. They allow writers to show ideas in
more creative and interesting ways. They apply and extend the theme.
A symbol is something that represents something else. We use symbols in many
different aspects. Religion uses symbols such as the Star of David and the Cross. When
stories are read, their symbols may be revealed to the reader. They give a deeper meaning
to the words on the page. Take for instance The Rocking Horse Winner.” This is a story
about a boy who rides his rocking horse until he gains insight to the next winning horse at
the races. He learns that he and his rocking horse are able to do this because he was so
desperate to have money to give to his mother that he climbs onto his horse and wills it to
take him to where the luck is. This is where we meet our first symbol- luck.
Luck, in the beginning of this story, seems to symbolize money. The boy asks his
mother why they don’t have their own car. She tells him that the reason is that they are
poor. He asks why to which she replies, “Well- I suppose it’s because your father has no
luck.” This is where we say hello to our friend Luck. He is what brings us money. In this
story, we are told that he doesn’t visit everyone, and no one knows why he picks the
individuals that he does. He brings people to money. This is where we meet the second
symbol.
The boy’s rocking horse brings him to money. Therefore it symbolizes luck.
However, it also symbolizes money. He rides his horse in a furious and desperate manner
until it shows him the way to our good friend Luck and all his money. Symbols such as
the rocking horse can be a little confusing at first. The horse represents luck, but later in
the story that because it is his path the money, the horse symbolizes money itself. His last
moments were spent on his lucky and beloved rocking horse. This shows us the theme of
this story: Money and the want for money cause destruction.
Writers such as D. H. Lawrence use symbols to apply and extend the theme they
are trying to portray in their writings. His symbols of luck and the rocking horse (and the
whispering house even though it wasn’t talked about previously) all revolved around
money. They all led to destruction. This is how we come to the conclusion of the theme
he is showing in this story. Luck leads to money and lack of luck leads to lack of money.
When you don’t have money, you want it. When you have money, you want more. This
greed will cause you to do anything to get it. The rocking horse was the boy’s ticket to
money and luck. He wanted this money so badly, that he died trying to get it. Using these
symbols, we see that money does indeed cause destruction. That is the reason for
symbols.