The Rocking-Horse Winner

The short story "The Rocking Horse Winner" is about a young man, Paul, trying to satisfy his mother and himself through attaining money but only succeeding in his death.
1. What was the name of the horse that won in Paul's final bet?
2. What did Paul's rocking on the horse symbolize?
3. Do you think you are like any character in this story?

D.H. Lawrence kept me completly enthralled throught out the entire story. The theme of this story is many people are careening down a path seeking higher status!, more wealth!, more!, more!, more! to a point where it literally kills them (Heath Ledger, Elvis Presley, Gatsby, etc.). The author illustrates Paul to be young and naive. I think he does this because many people don't realize they are seeking only material objects which will not give them happiness. Paul is definately a complex charecter with much of his prsonality left to the reader to decide. Does Paul 'succeed' in the end or fail? I think the mother is actually not all that complex. I think she's pretty one dimensional and the auther chose to basically make her the protagonist.

I Stand Here Ironing

The story "I stand here ironing" is about a woman recollecting raising her first born child and her inability to properly care for her.
1. What is the daughter's name?
2. Why does the author end the story with the main character ironing?
3. Do you think you could forgive the mother in this story?
What would you do if you were the mother?

I really enjoyed this story. I thought it had depth and the author did a nice job of of creating a complex main character. I think the reader only knew as much as the narrator told you. i liked that the author used the ironing board to begin the story, kept it throughout, and used it for a conclusion. I think the theme of this story is complicated and has numerous aspects. The relationship between parents and children is actually quite fragile and difficult to nurture into a lasting healthy bond. Sometimes instances in childhood cannot be overcome affect the rest of our lives. i feel badly for the narrator because she did the best she could and it was far from enough for her child. I think the ending was somewhat ambiguous and its is left to the reader to discern the outcome of the mother and child's relationship.

"The Lesson"

Toni Cade Bambara's "The Lesson" illustrates for the reader a young girl's revelation about a country that cheats her yet publicizes its equality.
1. To what toy store did Miss Moore take the children?
2. Explain the internal conflict the narrator feels right before she enters the toy shop.
3. Do you think the author did a successful job in making an implicit argument within this story?
I did not like this story. I think it was cliche and much to transparent of a plotline. I think the author relied heavily on the narrator's dirty mouth to give the story credibility. I think the author tries to make a political argument within this story. I agree with the author's perspective but think she made a terrible job crafting this piece. Her emotional appeal in the story is good but too fake, too made for TV movie. When I read this I didn't think that i wanted to meet the main character. I thought that she sounded like a fictional character. The opening of the story is quite good and caught my attention. I did not enjoy he rest all that much.

Joe realizes what he wants

At the end of the novel Joe realizes that we must turn our guns on the people (government) that tells us to shoot to kill. This is a surprising ending because the entire book seems to implicitly make the argument that war must end. I personally think the book should be about peace. However if the book were about peace it would be futile. We could never achieve peace because we are a corrupt people. I also don’t think American people will ever revolt against the government for telling them to go to war. Although Joe is pointing the gun at the end of the book for peace, I don’t think this is a good strategy for it. I do think Trumbo’s impassioned book was beautifully written and probably and eye opener to many. His resolution to the book was amazing even if I don’t agree with his concept.

Joe's Desires

Joe desires human connection throughout most of the second half of the novel. By the end he wants to communicate to the world the horrors and realities of war. I agree with Joe’s desire for human connection. Even if I were not in Joe’s condition I would want human connection. Loneliness is such a simple feeling and yet I believe few have truly felt it. To feel alone in this world, to feel as though no one love you completely or wholly is depressing and scary. All I would want is human connection if I were in Joe’s situation. But at the end of the novel Joe want a voice in America. This is valiant but unrealistic. Joe wants to be brave and become the hero. But if I were in his situation (realistically thinking) I would want to be killed. I would no longer want to live and I wouldn’t care about the rest humanity. I also would probably blame them for my situation.

Against Regulations

Joe wants the human race to understand war in all its realities and consequences. Joe’s been dead. He’s seen war. And Its. Not. Worth. It. Joe has seen rats eating human faces. Joe has seen mothers crying for their little boys. Joe has heard the screams of soldiers dying. Joe has been blown to nothing. Joe knows war. People that promote and support war don’t understand it completely because they’ve never been to war. Joe wants people to understand the horror and damage war causes so that they think before they advocate going to war. Joe wants the government to be truthful and not put war in a respectful light for people. This is against regulations because if people knew the truth no one would be duped into going to war. The government wants people to be ignorant. It is much easier to sway an ignorant society than one that knows all the facts.

Joe's Injury

Joe Bonham has lost his legs, his arms, and his entire face. Essentially Joe has lost all senses besides touch. Somehow, Joe has for the most part remained sane and eventually Joe makes a goal for himself: to know the time. The fact that Joe makes a goal for himself is essential in understanding the book. Joe has only himself and his mind. To make a goal for himself and attempt to live means Joe hasn’t given up or gone insane. Joe’s ‘injury’ also deduces him to dead another important theme in the book. Because Joe is the closest to death a person can come Trumbo creates Joe’s credibility. Joe has been dead and going to war isn’t worth it.