Examples Of How Freedom Is A Form Of Winning In The Indian Horse

The Perfect Game: How Freedom Is a Form of Winning in the Indian Horse
INTRODUCTION
Early versions of sports were developed in Prehistoric Times as a form of survival and to establish control and power over others. These sports were never created to prove a winner, but this all changed when the game of hockey was invented. It changed the face of sports entirely. With the strong bonds of teammates and coaches, a hockey team becomes a family who pulls together for one main goal, to be the best. With this quest towards greatness, comes both ups and downs that strengthens bonds among teammates and teaches players how important winning truly is. In the Indian Horse by Robert Wagamese, the main protagonist Saul, is a prime example of how winning

Not from the cold, but from the knowledge that freedom was imminent, that flight was at hand” (Wagamese 67). In this passage the author compares Saul on the ice to a plane taking off. It is startling at first, but after take off the plane is free from land and may freely move in any direction. Much like Saul, whose mind is clear of everything and is free from the real world when on the ice. To most, the game of hockey is played as a form of physical activity, but to Saul, hockey is pure and elegant and is an escape from the dreadful life he lives. As each day passed, Saul became that much better of a hockey player. It was obvious to many that he was put on earth to entertain, however Saul played for the pure enjoyment and freedom; “I would not let go of my dream of it, the freedom, the release it gave me, the joy the game gave me. It wasn’t anybody else’s game to take away from me” (Wagamese 145). Saul had dreams of playing in the NHL one day, but that was never the reason of why he played. The release from playing the game was something intangible to Saul, and the time he spent on the ice were the greatest moments of his

Saul endured many hardships and painful times throughout his life, but without hockey Saul’s life could have taken a much darker path. Hockey was a magical sport for Saul and was a huge source of freedom and escape while growing up. His talents ended up leading him to play for the Toronto Marlboros, which changed everything for him. Instead of hockey being an outlet and a source of freedom, it became the barrier to Saul’s healing. He became an outcast and a fool in Toronto and later changed his game from a goal scorer to a goon. This form of humiliation lead Saul to quit the game he once loved, and in turn had no escape from his past. With nothing else to rely on, Saul turned to alcohol. This depressant turned Saul’s life upside down and he was so low in life he almost died. At a very important time in Saul’s life he finally decided to quit drinking and return to the game of hockey in order to be free. By coaching, Saul gave back to the game he loves while also protecting and leading children on a better path then the one he lived. Saul ultimately learns that by being involved in the perfect game, whether he is playing or coaching, he is free and a