In "Rocking-Horse Warrior" by D.H. Lawrence, what significance or association can be attached to the names Bassett, Paul and Uncle Oscar?

In "The Rocking-Horse Warrior," it is fairly easy to
determine the symbolic meaning behind D. H. Lawrence's choice of the name Bassett for
the servant who helps young Paul. First (all names courtesy of href="http://www.thinkbabynames.com/meaning/1/Bassett">ThinkBabyNames.com),
it is an Old English descriptive name (name that originally described the person to whom
it was given) that was and is still rare in contemporary society. Bassett's personal
qualities--honesty, respect toward a child, belief in a child's abilities,
dependability--are rare qualities, as rare as the occurrence of the name. Additionally,
the name meaning is "little person." Bassett is indeed a symbolically little person in
that he is only a servant and, in a servant/master societal structure, therefore a
person of little importance.

The symbolism behind
Lawrence's choice of the name Paul is also fairly easy to determine. The meaning of the
Latin origin name Paul is "small." Being a child, the name Paul is therefore
symbolically appropriate. There are several historic associations with the name Paul.
The most significant is the association to the Apostle Paul of the Christian religion.
It is said of the Apostle Paul that he was the "rock," or the foundation, of
Christianity. In addition, popes of the Catholic Church have been named Paul. These
historic Biblical associations add symbolic meaning to young Paul's character by
emphasizing his innocence and goodness and pure altruistic
motives.

Uncle Oscar is a lot harder to sort out. Aside
from being the biological relative through one's mother or father, Collins English
Dictionary says "uncle" is a term of address used by children for adult males who are
friends; they would therefore have the child's best interests at heart. The name Oscar
is an Old English name meaning "spear of the gods." It may have originated in an old
Gaelic phrase meaning "friend of the deer." Let's see if we can sort this
out.

"Uncle" is definitely used ironically: Oscar was meant
to be Paul's friend but betrayed Paul's trust and forsook his custodial responsibilities
to Paul. Therefore the title "uncle" points to the tragic irony of Oscar's relationship
to Paul. If the "spear of the gods" is intended to punish and strike down, then this is
symbolically fitting of Uncle Oscar, as he does strike Paul down through his
manipulation and disregard. Again calling up tragic irony, Uncle Oscar was meant to be
the "friend of the deer," was believed to be the "deer's" friend, but did not act the
part of the friend. Rather, he acted the part of the user and manipulator. So two-thirds
of the interpretation of Uncle Oscar's name is ironic and one part, "spear of the
gods"--the negative part--is direct.