Although the children's father is mentioned in "The Rocking-Horse Winner," he never actually appears. Why do you think the mother's brother, Uncle Oscar, has a larger role to play in this story? What do you think Lawrence was trying to say about the role of men in the raising of their sons?

How does "The Rocking-Horse Winner" portray the desire for material wealth?

What were women's career options during the 1920s? How might this reality figure into the mother's lack of love for children? Explain your answer.