The mother-son relationship in "The Rocking-Horse Winner" is a mess of unfulfilled desire, anxiety, hostility, and terror. Paul's father is virtually absent from the story—we never learn his name—while his mother frantically tries to make up for all the luxuries her husband can't provide by trying to taken on the role of breadwinner, a role traditionally reserved for the husband (Note: We at Shmoop do not condone strict adherence to traditional gender norms, so go Hester). The only thing is, Hester's own sense of insufficiency spills over onto Paul, who is driven mad by his ever more desperate attempts to please her and earn her love.