17. Themes • Neglect • In her preoccupation with material things, Hester neglects to provide Paul the love he needs to develop into a normal, mentally stable child
18. • Obsession • Lust for material objects, stylish living, and money so obsesses Paul's mother • Paul then "inherits" her obsession. But he wants to win money for his mother, not for himself, in order to prove that he has the luck that his father lacks. When he discovers that the five thousand pounds he sets aside for her is not enough to achieve his goals, he becomes obsessed with winning more.
19. • Opportunism • Oscar Creswell acknowledges that Paul's wagering makes him nervous. • But rather than take steps to stop Paul, he encourages him and asks for tips on winning horses. • When Paul lies deathly ill muttering the name of his pick for the Derby, Oscar runs off and places a bet on the horse
20. • Deceit • In the first paragraph of the story, the narrator says Hester does not love her children • Yet, outwardly she pretends to love them, and people say, "She is a good mother. She adores her children.