Final answer:
The rocking horse in D.H. Lawrence's story symbolizes a means of escape, the quest for certainty, the danger of unchecked ambition, and the futility of trying to escape financial problems.
Step-by-step explanation:
In D.H. Lawrence's story, the rocking horse symbolizes several deeper concepts. Primarily, it represents a vehicle for escape and the desperate quest for certainty in the face of economic insecurity.
The young protagonist, Paul, uses the rocking horse to enter a trance-like state that enables him to predict the winners of horse races
. However, the rocking horse also illustrates the dangers of unchecked ambition and the illusion of control, reflecting Paul's internal struggle and his family's obsession with wealth.
Furthermore, the act of rocking back and forth on the horse with no forward progression can be a metaphor for the family's futile efforts to escape their financial woes. Despite their attempts, they are ultimately trapped in the same cycle of need and dissatisfaction.
This underscores the story's themes of greed, the corrupting influence of money, and the innocent's sacrifice to false idols of luck and fortune.