The Destructors and The Rocking Horse Winner are two different stories that deal with destruction at the physical and metaphorical levels. The Destructors is an allegory on the utter destruction of normal life in London caused by World War II. This story can be best explained as a typical illustration of the dire consequences of the destruction of human values that were caused by materialism and greed of contemporary society. Through intense imagery of sound and sight, The Rocking Horse Winner captivates its readers. Through this imagery Lawrence portrays the spirit of the various characters, the predicaments, the emphasis of a situation's intensity, and entwines the theme of the story with the plot. The mood of both stories is dark and prophetic; the demolition of civilization by violence and false values. Although these two stories are significantly different, the message, I found, interesting is the same. The seeds of materialism are planted and nourished in the lives of the characters in both "The Destructors", and the "Rocking Horse Winner". In order to understand the similar message of Greene's short story “The Destructors”, and Lawrence’s “The Rocking Horse Winner”, one must scrutinize the diverse aspects of each story.When comparing the plot of each story, one will quickly find that they are both centered around materialism. In The Destructors, materialism takes the shape of Mr. Thomas, a rich elderly man, who is often referred to as Old Misery by Blackie and his friends. In The Rocking Horse Winner, materialism takes the form of greed, which are often portrayed in Paul's mother. Because of his mother's greed, Paul is determined to make as much money as he is capable of getting.
In my opinion, as with the theme of each story, one will often find that the theme of both stories is usually the impact of materialism on people and those around them. Generosity, greed, and responsibility were three main themes displayed through the various...