English Literature-g. Greene & DH Essay

Meanwhile, T. was a different kind of leader. He wants his ideas to be followed and he led the gang to a dangerous and cruel mischief. The story also touches on the choice between good and bad as presented by Blackie's decision of whether or not join the destruction of Old Misery's house. Eventually, Blackie chose a purely egoistic choice basing his decision on the need for distinction.

Ironies are also presented in the story are numerous like how T. And Blackie burned the Old Misery's savings instead of dividing it among themselves during hard times when money is essential. Another example of an irony is how Old Misery takes care of his house not wanting to soil it and yet, in spite of his care, the gang destructed it. And towards the end of the story, it was ironic how the truck driver could laugh at Old Misery's misfortune.

Meanwhile, DH Lawrence's the Rocking-Horse Winner realistically portrays problems in life and communicates a moralistic message. The story is about a mother who feels inadequate and couldn't fully love her children. Contrast to Greene's story, it focuses on the middle class who lives beyond their means. While the young boys in the Destructors have already lost their innocence and have turned rebellious and cynical, the young boy, Paul, in the Rocking-Horse Winner shows innocence and exhibits understanding and generosity. As their family lives beyond their means, Paul feels the weight of their growing need for more money. It is his kindness that pushes him to ride his rocking-horse where he finds the winner of the horse races. Paul is exceedingly generous, giving all his winnings to his mother.It was his innate generosity that brought him his death. Parallel to his generosity was his mother's greed. When she received the first money from Paul, she ended up wanting more. Instead of being satisfied, she ended up wanting more.

Another theme central to the story is that of parental responsibility. Though Paul's parents were able to buy them expensive things, it was the general desperate feeling of need for more money that bothered Paul. It is the parents' responsibility to provide for the family and yet it was the child that provided for the family in the story. This theme on responsibility is also one of power. Though it was Paul who was able to provide the family with money, he still didn't have enough power to control his mother. While in the Destructors, the young were able to control the old, in the Rocking-Horse Winner, it was still the old who controlled the young though it was the young who seemed to know what's right. The two stories are though are similar in their view of money though this was portrayed different. The gang in the Destructors burned money and therefore wasted it though they needed. The same is true of Paul's mother who instead of relieving the family money problems, ended up upgrading their lifestyle, thereby wasting the money that could've changed their lives.

References

Greene, G. "The Destructors." Borderline. 26 January 2009. http://www.geocities.com/borderline_ps2/00000098c8132df01.html.

Lawrence, DH. "The rocking-horse winner." Classic Short Stories. B&L Associates. 26 January 2009 http://www.classicshorts.com/stories/rockwinr.html......