There Must Be More Money

“There must be more money! Oh-h-h-h; there

must be more money. Oh, now, now-w! Now-

w-w-there must be more money! вЂ" more

then ever!”

Both stories, Eudora Welty’s, “A Worn Path,” and D.H Lawrence’s, “The Rocking Horse Winner,” are very different stories. Although at the same time, there are many themes which are similar as well.

Both stories contain realistic and non-realistic aspects, some being more believable than others. In D.H. Lawrence’s, “The Rocking Horse Winner,” it contains a few of both realistic and un-realistic traits.

For example, Paul lives in a house where it is “haunted” and the children living there constantly hear the phrase: “There must be more money! There must be more money!” An example of a realistic aspect of the story is the mother’s greed, and what a wonderful parent she was. Society constantly saw the great impact both parents had on their children, “She is such a good mother. She adores her children.” When in reality, “…she felt they had been thrust upon her, and she could not love them….this troubled her, and in her manner she was all the more gentle and anxious for her children, as if she loved them very much.” “As if” is a very realistic trait that sadly occurs in this story and in real life. The harsh reality of it is, things such as non-loving parents, having father’s honestly not being a supporting role in the family, and how people change in society’s view of the world. Again, these sad realistic facts do occur.

Which brings forth Paul’s’ childhood, and how his reaction to his mothers and fathers actions occur. There is an enormous difference on how both Paul and his mother and father feel about each other. “…..a boy and two little girls…lived in a pleasant house, with a garden, and they had discreet servants, and felt themselves superior to anyone in the neighborhood. Although they lived in style, they felt always an anxiety in the house. There was never enough money.” Paul loved his mother so much, yet she didn’t love him back. Paul always found ways to show his love for his mother, again, she doesn’t even acknowledge what he is doing for her.

One day his uncle Oscar arrives to visit and invites Paul to attend the horse races. After a few times Oscar finds out that Paul knows the winner of every race. Paul knew his family wanted money, and he knew he was lucky betting on the horses. Paul’s’ eyes grew into a blazing blue flame and he knew what to do. Paul became partners with the gardener. He picked the horse, and the gardener placed the bet. Paul had started out with five shillings but his winnings kept adding up. When he made 10,000 pounds he decided to give his mother 1,000 pounds a year for five years. He wanted his winnings to be a secret so a lawyer handled the money. Paul saw the envelope from the lawyer and asked his mother if she had received anything good in the mail. She said "Quite moderately nice" in a cold voice. She liked getting the money, but she wasn't happy. She wanted more!

As much as Paul was on his rocking horse “in full tilt” his eyes began to fade. His unconditional love for his mother went from the day of his birth to the day of his death. The cost of Paul’s love is Paul’s life. He dies shortly after he found the horse’s name that would win the last race. This goes to show there are people out there who don’t deserve to be mothers or fathers; people who don’t have unconditional love for their children.

In Eudora Welty’s, “A Worn Path,” unconditional love is the main point of this story, there is always society’s perspective on how things will be. Being an elderly black woman in 1941, she already has three strikes against her in society’s view point. Phoenix doesn’t care what people think of her. Phoenix doesn’t have the pride that we have today, the kind of pride gets in our way.

“’Please, missy, will you lace up my shoe?’ She held

up her foot. �What do you want, Grandma?’ �See my

shoe’ said Phoenix. �Do all right for out in the country,

but wouldn’t look right to go in a big building.’ �Stand

still then, Grandma,’ said the lady. She put her packages

down on the sidewalk beside her and laced and tied both

shoes tightly.”

Another phenomenal trait Phoenix has is determination. She has the determination to continue to walk the “worn path” constantly as long as her grandson needs medicine.

There is movement in front of her from time to time, a quivering, and a shaking of the bushes. She is bold as she addresses the animals in the thicket, telling the foxes and beetles and rabbits to get out of her way. She doesn't care or expect human beings to be listening. She tells the wild hogs to keep away from her because she has a long way to go.

“Out of my way, all you foxes, owls, beetles, jack rabbits,

coons, and wild animals! . . .Keep out from under these feet,

little bobwhites. . . .Keep the big wild hogs out of my path.

Don’t let none of those come running in my direction. I got

a long way.”

She switches at the brush with her cane as she walks as though she is walking with a machete in the jungle. She marches alone the pinewoods, amidst their dark shadows. Sometimes, looking up, she sees the pine needles glistening brightly. Sometimes, she hears the pinecones dropping lightly on the forest floor. She is part of the tableau she is traversing. It is quiet. It is often dark. This is a well-worn path. She hears the sound of a mourning dove. He is there in the winter, still awake, still pitching out his mournful song.

She