Symbolism, Imagery, Allegory
Like many of D. H. Lawrence's works, Christian motifs appear throughout "The Rocking-Horse Winner." Bassett, the half-comical figure and most religious of the characters, seems to view Paul as a messenger from God, perhaps a reference to St. Paul.
Paul receives his fateful rocking horse on Christmas Day, and, like Judas, Uncle Oscar seems willing to sacrifice Paul for money.
In an ironic twist, Paul becomes a Christ-like figure who does not rise from the dead after three days, but rather, dies after three days of being sick. While Christ's death and resurrection signify moral redemption for Christians, Paul's death doesn't offer any kind of redemption. Just money.