Indian Horse Sparknotes

The power of stories manifests itself in literature, film, and more generally life. Stories inspire, provide hope, and bring understanding. Leslie Marmon Silko’s novel Ceremony permeates the strength of stories. Ceremony follows the story of Tayo, a half white Native American plagued by the invasion of European culture, as well as his own past of war and loss. However, through the folk stories of his Laguna culture, as well as the advice he has been given to embrace his past, Tayo is able to see the world more clearly.

The acclaimed Canadian author Joseph Boyden is often praised for providing an insightful look into Indigenous culture and history through his debut, Three Day Road. While the novel does explore the haunting memories of an Indigenous soldier, it also tackles concepts about storytelling and the power of words. Consequently, this essay investigates the question; How does Joseph Boyden use literary devices and narrative structure in Three Day Road to illustrate the power of stories and language? The novel serves as an examination of the power of words and the different roles they play in communication,

Miriam Ruhland NBE 3U Ms. Darby Conning 9 May 2023 Literary Essay Moral Injury from Trauma in Indian Horse The Novel Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese is a horrific narrative about Saul Indian Horse, an Indigenous boy. The book focuses on his childhood trauma, grossly induced by the residential school he attended, and how he was able to cope. By telling Saul’s story, Wagamese displays the effect of trauma on one’s motivation to live a moral life.

In the scene, Father Leboutilier and Saul state, “I’m proud of you, Saul.” We were parked in the hall’s lot by then and he grabbed me and pulled me across the seat to hold me close. I could hear his breathing. When he let me go I could feel his eyes on me,”(Wagamese 179). This demonstrates the effective use of language by the author because while reading this scene readers feel a certain way.

He gets the chance to play in the National Hockey League after having played hockey for many years. His increased violence and rage are the result of the continuous mistreatment he experiences while playing in the NHL, which is just too much for him to tolerate. As a result, he gets kicked out from the NHL and starts drinking excessively. His drinking had gotten so bad that it was starting to damage his physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Saul ended up in the hospital after experiencing horrible seizures as withdrawal symptoms.

Characters are the backbone of a story that portray various themes which the novel Indian Horse sheds light on. The author, Richard Wagamese, communicates important ideas about family and tradition, and abuse and trauma through the stories of Naomi, Sister Ignacia, Virgil, and Father Gaston LeBoutillier. Fred Kelly and Naomi embody the themes of family and tradition to the protagonist, Saul Indian Horse, assisting him in navigating his identity as an Indigenous person in a world that attempts to obliterate his culture. Naomi is chosen to represent the theme of family and tradition since grandmothers are the ones who instill family and traditional values in their grandchildren in Ojibway culture. She has a strong sense of pride and devotion

Shortly after, he travels to God’s lake to reunite with them spiritually. This connection is very significant as it was one of many things the residential school erased from his indigenous identity. In indigenous culture, it is extremely important to be in tune with your ancestors and community. This is because they believe that a strong relationship with them leads to a secure connection with one’s roots and heritage as it gives them a sense of identity. Moreover, after reconnecting with his ancestors, Saul finally has the support he needs to mourn and heal from all he has been through.

I let myself mourn (205).” This is Saul’s emotional development because after many years of rage and emptiness, he is able to express his true emotions such as sorrow. Saul has allowed his self to beginning the journey to wholeness and rebirth having confronted his past and made peace. Saul’s return ends the vicious hold the white men held on him for numerous

The detrimental and unfair categorization of people by race, gender and more, commonly known as discrimination, affects many in society both mentally and emotionally. Many instances of this act of hatred occurred among Aboriginal and Native Canadians in the 20th century. However, for a little Native Indian boy stepping onto the rink, this is the norm that surrounds him. Saul Indian Horse, in Richard Wagamese’s “Indian Horse”, faces discrimination head on, where his strengths for hockey are limited by the racial discrimination from the surrounding white ethnicity. Consequently, this racism draws him into a mentally unstable state, where he suffers heavy consequences.

Thirdly, discriminatory behaviour by surrounding communities and the effects it has on First Nation children. There are many voices in this world that appreciate being heard upon their opinions, but some individuals use their voices as weapons to bring down other people. In Richard Wagamese’s Indian Horse, the audience in a hockey game perceive a hockey team full of Indigenous peoples as a source of negative energy for the game in general, and that can be interpreted as racial discrimination. “As we skated onto the ice for our game against the North Bay Nuggets, the crowd booed us. When our line us was introduced, they knew exactly where to direct their energy” (Wagamese

Tracey Lindberg’s novel Birdie is narratively constructed in a contorting and poetic manner yet illustrates the seriousness of violence experience by Indigenous females. The novel is about a young Cree woman Bernice Meetoos (Birdie) recalling her devasting past and visionary journey to places she has lived and the search for home and family. Lindberg captures Bernice’s internal therapeutic journey to recover from childhood traumas of incest, sexual abuse, and social dysfunctions. She also presents Bernice’s self-determination to achieve a standard of good health and well-being. The narrative presents Bernice for the most part lying in bed and reflecting on her dark life in the form of dreams.

Initially, when Saul starts playing with his hockey reserve team, he experiences his first encounter with racism. While Saul is enjoying the game, he is suddenly kicked out of the team and remarks to Mr. Leboutiller the reason behind this is “‘because I am an Indian, isn’t it’ ‘yes’, he said” (Wagamese 91). At this moment, Saul is a victim of exclusion at a young age and recognises; not only in the residential school are Indians victims of discrimination due their appearance, culture and differences, but also outside of the residential school. Through his first encounter with exclusion, he slowly notices the segregation that surrounds him resulting in mental abuse because he becomes very cautious. After Saul leaves the residential school to live with the Kelly’s, he begins to play with the Moose.

Using hockey as an outlet, Saul escapes the horrendous influence of the school and copes with the many atrocities he faces and ultimately reclaims his true self. For Saul, hockey became a means in which he can escape the abuse from St. Jerome’s. For example, when Father Leboutillier learned of Saul’s interest and skill in the game, the both of them became closer, in which Saul describes Father Leboutillier as a father figure. Saul quotes, “Father Leboutillier was my ally. When the nuns

These feelings deeply connected to his sense of abnormality and loneliness. The cottagers’ devotion to each other reminds him, and stresses him about Victor’s total abandonment of him; unfortunately, observing their kindness actually

Paul is a kind-hearted 19-year-old soldier, but his time in the war forces him to disconnect from his feelings as acknowledging them would release too much pain. Like Ged, Paul coped with Kemmerich’s death, along with the death of anyone who was important to him, by accepting it and moving on. When Paul is telling Kemmerich’s mother about her son’s death, he thinks, “Why doesn’t she stop worrying? Kemmerich will stay dead whether she knows about it or not.” (Remarque, 181)