Initial Situation

Living in a Material World

Stage Identification: Paul's family appears moderately well off, but they're still struggling to maintain their lifestyle.

Explanation/Discussion: The disparity between Paul's family's luxurious tastes and their actual income sets the whole story in motion.

Conflict

Luck be a Lady?

Stage Identification: Hester tells Paul that neither she nor his father have luck.

Explanation/Discussion: Paul internalizes his parents' dissatisfaction with their finances, and becomes determined to be lucky.

Complication

Off to the Races

Stage Identification: Uncle Oscar discovers that Paul has been making money betting on racehorses with the help of the family's gardener.

Explanation/Discussion: Uncle Oscar has mixed feelings about Paul's gambling. On one level, he knows that exploiting his young nephew for gambling tips is wrong, but his greed overrides any moral hang-ups.

Climax

Gimme Gimme Gimme

Stage Identification: Paul gives five thousand pounds to his mother as an anonymous gift.

Explanation/Discussion: This gift ought to be the happy ending, the resolution of the conflict: The parents are unlucky and poor, so the lucky and wealthy son gives them as much money as they could want. Unfortunately, this story doesn't have a happy ending. Paul's gift only seems to make them want even more money.

Suspense

Woah, Nelly

Stage Identification: Paul vigorously rides his rocking horse in an effort to earn even more money at the next big race.

Explanation/Discussion: Paul's last chance to make some big money is the Derby race, and he begins to ride his rocking horse with furious energy.

Denouement

Don't Rock the Horse, Baby

Stage Identification: After riding his rocking horse, Paul collapses from brain fever—but not before giving away his final racing tip.

Explanation/Discussion: Paul successfully identifies the winning horse, but he collapses from the strain and dies—sort of like a give and take. Paul's 'luck' got the better of him.

Conclusion

Too Bad, So Sad

Stage Identification: Uncle Oscar comforts his sister Hester on Paul's death and tells her that even though Paul might be dead, at least she's eighty thousand pounds richer.

Explanation/Discussion: Uncle Oscar seems to pity the fact that Paul lost his life like he did, but his comment seems callous, reflecting his general greed.