wealth based on his familys needs. This in itself is not wrong; however, instead of earning the money, Paul relies on luck and a game of chance to provide his family with the needed income. Another moral aspect of the story is that Pauls mother influenced his imagination in that she based their poverty on his fathers unluckiness and her unluckiness by being married to him. As a result, Paul began to view good luck as the basis for overcoming being poor, which in turn led him to seek games of chance.The conclusion of both stories is sad. In The Destructors, not only is Old Miserys house destroyed, but also during the latter part of the demolition, the gang holds him captive in the out-house. The final humiliation appears when the lorry driver is an unknowing accomplice but still finds humor in Old Miserys house being razed. In the Rocking Horse Winner, tragically although Paul selects the winning horse of the derby and brings wealth to his family, he dies in the end. Pauls last words to his mother were Im lucky.In conclusion, the two short stories as compared and contrasted above, depict the degradation of social norms caused by poverty. The two sets of characters reactions to this abasement are different, and both prove ineffective attempts to overcome or cope with the situation....
