Analysis
‘‘The Destructors’’ is set in the post-World War II England. The story carries a message about human nature. This message is transmitted through its characters. Greene asserts that people have the faculty to distinguish and make a conscious choice between good and evil. Circumstances greatly influence the course of events but people make choices good or bad. Children of a society that has faced trauma and tension grow rebellious. This is the theme of the book. The medium he uses to convey his message is a group of innocent teenagers calling themselves the Woemslty Common gang. These youngsters have experienced the ravages, destruction and the havoc inflicted by the war. His characters though make the same destructive choices. ( Graham Greene 2004)

This is not a happy tale. It is a rather grave and somber account of youth growing up in a run down part of the city. It makes depressing reading. The youngsters seem to have no interest in education, sports or such other healthy activities. The situation, circumstances and environment they find themselves to be living in are, in the main, responsible for their disposition. They have been cast in this die not by their choice or design, rather are the victims of the times. The writer presents no evidence of any efforts on anyone’s part to lift the air of despondency or despair. Having faced the deprivations and the war ravages their mental psyche and attitude turns to destructive tendencies.
Fortunately they restrict themselves to such offenses and misconduct as ticket less rides on city’s transport. Their biggest challenge, adventure and exploit is the destruction of a poor man’s house. They do deliberate this plan and consciously decide to carry it out. They feel their action will catch the media attention bring them fame. Consider this quote “Even the grown-up gangs who ran the betting at the all-in wrestling and the barrow-boys would hear with respect of how Old Misery's house had been destroyed. Driven by the pure, simple and altruistic ambition of fame for the gang, Blackie came back to…..This represents muddled thinking on their part. They choose to take leave of their good sense though one can argue that this willful act is a consequence and emerges out of their state of mental disorder, confusion and bewilderment.

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That Mr. Thomas is a gentle character is proved by these dialogues he had with the gang: Quote:

“Mr. Thomas: 'You belong to the lot that play in the car-park?'

'Suppose we are?' he said ambiguously.

'I got some chocolates,' Mr. Thomas said. 'Don't like 'em myself. Here you are. Not enough to go round, I don't suppose. There never is,' he added with somber conviction. He handed over three packets of Smarties.” Unquote.

The youngsters were product of an unsettled era for them to smash the china, flood the house, even burn pound notes, and finally sue chisels, hammers, saws etc. to pull the house down.
The characters include 'Trevor' simply known as ‘T’ who was a new recruit but took over the leadership from Blackie. Yet another was the nine year old Mike. Summers is anther character.

Not unlike “The Destructors” by Graham Green, there is also a message and a theme carried in the short story “The Rocking-Horse Winner,” by D.H.Lawrence. Before we compare the two stories for their respective themes and message a brief outline of the story by D.H.Lawrence.

The central character of this story is young Paul. During his formative years he has singularly lacked parental love. The family focus particularly that of Hester, the mother, was on solely on money or rather more of this commodity. She is eternally lamenting the lack of luck that afflicts the family and which does not bring them the riches she so desires to possess. Her obsession is symbolized by this quote from the book: "It's (it refers to luck) what causes you to have money. If you're lucky you have money. That's why it's better to be born lucky than rich. If you're rich, you may lose your money. But if you're lucky, you will always get more money". Her mother’s family had a gambling background which explains her bent of mind.

Paul is miserable when all he hears is “There must be more money! There must be more money!” He keeps thinking of making money to please her mother. That he how he comes to ride the wooden toy horse during which time his flights of fancy and frenzy take him to super natural powers. He learns of winning horse number through these fantasy flights. He bets on horses aided by the family servant. While this is going on he has a fall from the horse that results in his death. The family comes to a grievous end.

The two stories have similarities as well as dissimilarities. Both stories have background settings where the characters are disturbed by lack of affluence. Ofcourse in “The Destructors” the level of deprivation, following the ravages of war, is much graver, the characters being genuinely affected and handicapped by the circumstances. They come to resent their lot. However they are not moved by greed.

In the story by Lawrence the family around whom the story revolves is relatively much better off. What differentiates this particular family is its greed for “more money”. There is no motivation and emphasis on hard work, use of intellect, furthering skills and education etc. The emphasis instead is on ‘luck’ which would make them rich. Lawrence sends the message that greed is no substitute for hard work, enterprise and that it is self-destructive.