NCERT Class 11 English Woven Words: Chapter 10 — The Rocking-horse Winner 19
This chapter from NCERT's Woven Words for Class 11, titled "The Rocking-horse Winner" by D.H. Lawrence, introduces a family plagued by a constant, unspoken anxiety about money. Despite outward appearances of wealth and social standing, the parents struggle financially. The mother, beautiful and initially fortunate, finds her love turning to dust and feels unable to connect with her children. The children, though living in a pleasant house, are acutely aware of the pervasive 'whisper' of 'There must be more money!' This theme permeates their lives, even amidst expensive toys. The story sets a tone of unease and highlights the psychological impact of financial insecurity on a family, crucial for understanding themes in CBSE English literature.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 11 |
| Subject | English |
| Book | Woven Words |
| Chapter | Chapter 10 — 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 financial anxiety on family dynamics.
- Understand the theme of luck versus effort in achieving success.
- Identify and interpret literary devices used by D.H. Lawrence.
- Explore the complex relationship between a mother and her children.
- Appreciate the nuances of social class and its pressures.
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 for emphasis or clarity |
| brazening it out | facing a difficult situation with defiant confidence |
The complete chapter text is read in the official NCERT PDF viewer below (streamed from ncert.nic.in). This page provides NCERT Help study material — summary, vocabulary, practice questions, and FAQs — not a full reproduction of the textbook.
Read chapter online
This PDF is loaded from the official NCERT website (ncert.nic.in). Use the page buttons below to read — download is disabled on NCERT Help.
Read page by page below. PDF is streamed from the official NCERT website — no download button on this page.
Practice questions
- What was the central unspoken anxiety in the family's house? Answer: The central unspoken anxiety was the shortage of money.
- How did the mother feel about her children? Answer: The mother felt that her children had been thrust upon her and she could not love them, though she tried to appear gentle and anxious for them.
- What did the children hear despite no one speaking aloud? Answer: The children heard the constant whisper, 'There must be more money!'
- What did the father's prospects never materialize into? Answer: The father's good prospects never materialized into actual financial success.
Practice MCQs
Q1. What did the mother's love for her husband 'turn to'?
Explanation: The text explicitly states, 'She married for love and love turned to dust.'
Q2. How did the children perceive their mother's feelings towards them?
Explanation: The text mentions, 'Only she herself, and her children themselves, knew it was not so. They read it in each other's eyes.'
Q3. Despite living in style, what anxiety did the family feel?
Explanation: The text states, 'Although they lived in style, they felt always an anxiety in the house. There was never enough money.'
Q4. What did the father's good prospects fail to do?
Explanation: The story mentions, 'But though he had good prospects, these prospects never materialised.'
Q5. What phrase haunted the house, heard by the children though unspoken?
Explanation: The text clearly states, 'And so the house came to be haunted by the unspoken phrase: 'There must be more money! There must be more money!''
Frequently asked questions
What is the main theme of 'The Rocking-horse Winner'?
The main theme revolves around the destructive influence of money, the concept of luck versus effort, and the psychological impact of financial anxiety on a family.
Who is the author of 'The Rocking-horse Winner'?
The author is D.H. Lawrence.
What was the mother's initial situation in life?
The mother was beautiful and started with all the advantages, but she had no luck.
Why did the children feel an anxiety in the house?
They felt an anxiety because, despite living in style, there was never enough money to maintain their social position.
What did the children hear constantly, even though it was never spoken aloud?
The children constantly heard the whisper, 'There must be more money!'
What does 'love turned to dust' signify in the story?
It signifies that the mother's marriage, which was based on love, ultimately failed and became meaningless due to other circumstances, likely financial.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 11 English — Woven Words — Chapter 10 — The Rocking-horse Winner 19. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.