Chapter the-rocking-horse-winner: The Rocking-horse Winner | Short Questions

Paul's primary motivation is to prove to his mother that he is 'lucky' so he can earn her love and silence the 'whispering' in the house. He believes that if he can provide enough money, the constant atmosphere of anxiety and shortage will disappear. He wants to stop the house from haunting the family with its demands for wealth. His betting is a desperate, selfless attempt to solve his mother's problems and fix his family's broken emotional state.

When she receives the money, her face becomes 'hardened' and 'cold' instead of joyful. Instead of being grateful for the birthday gift, she immediately goes to the lawyer to demand the entire sum at once to pay off her debts. The influx of money does not bring peace; instead, it causes the 'voices' in the house to go 'mad,' trilling and screaming for even more luxury. It proves that her greed is limitless and cannot be satisfied by mere wealth.

As the Derby approaches, Paul becomes physically and mentally 'overwrought.' He grows thin and frail, and his eyes take on an 'uncanny' and 'strange glare.' He is in a state of constant tension, hardly hearing what people say to him as he becomes completely absorbed in his need to 'know' the winner. His obsession manifests as a literal 'brain-fever,' showing how the psychological pressure of his secret life is destroying his young body from the inside out.

Paul refuses to go because he feels an intense, frantic need to be near his rocking-horse to 'know' the winner of the Derby. He believes the horse is the only way he can reach the state of certainty required to make a successful bet. Going to the seaside would mean leaving his source of 'luck' behind. He tells his mother he 'couldn't possibly go,' revealing how deeply the rocking-horse has become his only priority in life.

Bassett, the young gardener, acts as Paul's partner and financial manager. Having been a 'batman' to Uncle Oscar, he is well-versed in the world of horse racing. He takes Paul's interest seriously, almost like a religious conviction, and keeps the boy's winnings locked up safely. He provides the initial information and helps place the bets, but he remains 'obstinately silent' and protective of Paul's secrets, acknowledging the boy as the true 'master' of their racing tips.