There is a clear critique of materialism in this story. Hester insists that the family has no money because they have no luck. She had opportunities early in life and she married for love. But with no luck and with the marriage turning to "dust," she feels held back and her children are a burden to her. As a result, she can not love anyone. But this is not the effect of the outside world imposing bad luck and misfortune on Hester. She may have had her share of misfortune, but she retreats to this melancholy position. She tries to get luck (money) but is unsuccessful. There is no indication that she tries to change her attitude and outlook on life. This is a wasted opportunity. At the very least, she could be appreciative for what she has rather than despondent about what she does not have.
Hester reveals her greedy side when Paul anonymously gives her some of his winnings. She simply wants more and more. She still doesn't give her genuine love to Paul or her family. This is another wasted opportunity. And she wastes the money on frivolous things.
This spirit and feeling of needing money is always present in the home. Hester has perpetuated this yearning and it rubs off on Paul. In a strange Oedipal move, Paul becomes the main source of income in the family. He replaces his father in this way and his frenzied bouts on his horse represent a juvenile sexualized exercise. In this analysis, Paul tries to give his mother luck, money, success, and happiness. But money does not translate to happiness. Paul's life is wasted as well because he becomes materially obsessed with money just as his mother is. And he feels impelled to "get somewhere" for his mother. He feels forced into this position as child/husband.
In the end, after Paul has made a hugely successful bet, Hester hears her brother say:
My God, Hester, you're eighty-odd thousand to the good, and a poor devil of a son to the bad. But, poor devil, poor devil, he's best gone out of a life where he rides his rocking-horse to find a winner.
Hester influenced and taught Paul to become this frenzied seeker of money. Hester's brother's quote suggests that Paul is better off dying than staying alive as the son of woman who selfishly raises him to be a materialistic servant of her unnecessary needs. Hester wastes her life and wastes Paul's life by teaching him that appreciation comes from money rather than love.
The general critique is of materialism. Lives are wasted when people are mostly concerned with money and material possessions. Hester is guilty of both obsessions. Her outlook is taught and/or handed down to Paul and he wastes his life in superficial pursuits as well. The Oedipal analysis aside, since this materialism is passed down to the next generation (even though Paul dies), the author might be suggesting that when a parent wastes his/her life in this way, that notion is passed on to the children, and so on.
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