NCERT Class 11 English Woven Words: Chapter 3 — The Rocking-horse Winner 19
This chapter from NCERT's Woven Words, Class 11 English, introduces "The Rocking-horse Winner" by D.H. Lawrence. It begins by describing a beautiful woman who, despite having advantages, lacks luck. Married for love, her marriage turns sour, and she struggles to connect with her children, feeling a 'hard little place' at her heart that cannot feel love. The family lives in a pleasant house with servants and maintains a stylish appearance, but an underlying anxiety about money pervades the atmosphere. Both parents have small incomes insufficient for their social standing. The mother's attempts to earn more fail, deepening the lines on her face. The constant, unspoken phrase 'There must be more money!' haunts the house, heard by the children even amidst expensive toys. This chapter sets a tone of financial anxiety and emotional detachment, exploring the psychological impact of materialism on a family.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 11 |
| Subject | English |
| Book | Woven Words |
| Chapter | Chapter 3 — The Rocking-horse Winner 19 |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 4 minutes |
| Word count | 675 |
Learning outcomes
- Analyze the psychological impact of materialism and financial anxiety on family dynamics.
- Understand the theme of luck versus effort in achieving success.
- Identify and interpret literary devices used by the author to convey mood and character.
- Explore the concept of emotional detachment and its consequences.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| turned to dust | failed or came to nothing |
| careered | moved at high speed in an uncontrolled way |
| sequin | a small, shiny disc sewn onto clothing for decoration |
| overwrought | in a state of excessive nervousness and excitement |
| reiterated | repeated something, typically for emphasis or clarity |
| brazening it out | facing a difficult situation with defiant confidence |
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Practice questions
- Describe the initial situation of the woman in the story. Answer: The woman was beautiful and had advantages but no luck. She married for love, but it failed. She had children but couldn't love them, feeling a hard, unloving place in her heart.
- What was the main anxiety that haunted the family's pleasant house? Answer: The main anxiety was the constant shortage of money, despite their efforts to maintain a stylish appearance.
- How did the children perceive the family's financial situation? Answer: The children heard the unspoken phrase 'There must be more money!' constantly, even during festive occasions, and saw it reflected in each other's eyes.
- What does the phrase 'love turned to dust' imply about the woman's marriage? Answer: It implies that her marriage, which began with love, ultimately failed and became meaningless or worthless.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the author of 'The Rocking-horse Winner'?
The author of 'The Rocking-horse Winner' is D.H. Lawrence.
What is the central problem faced by the family in the story?
The central problem is a constant shortage of money and the pervasive anxiety it creates, despite their efforts to maintain a certain social style.
How does the mother feel about her children?
The mother feels a disconnect from her children, unable to love them, experiencing a 'hard little place' at the centre of her heart.
What unspoken phrase haunts the house?
The unspoken phrase that haunts the house is 'There must be more money!'
What literary expressions are introduced at the beginning of the chapter?
Expressions like 'turned to dust', 'careered', 'sequin', 'overwrought', 'reiterated', and 'brazening it out' are introduced for the reader to guess their meaning from context.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 11 English — Woven Words — Chapter 3 — The Rocking-horse Winner 19. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.