Indian Horse By Richard Wagemese

Exploring Identity in Literature: A Comparative Analysis
Imagine living in a world where you are not recognized and respected for who you are. This is the reality for many Indigenous people who have faced centuries of assimilation. In this essay, I will compare and contrast two works of literature that explore the challenges and experiences of the Indigenous people: Indian Horse by Richard Wagemese and Borders by Thomas King. Indian Horse is a novel about an Indigenous boy named Saul, who survives the horrors of residential school. He finds an escape playing hockey, but his past haunts him which later leads him to alcoholism. Borders is a short story that shows the conflict between a mother who fights for her identity as a Blackfoot against

Characterization can affect the theme of identity by showing how they struggle with a sense of self and how they cope with circumstances. In Indian Horse, it shows Saul's passion for hockey, "I would not let go of my dream of it, the freedom and release it the game gave me” (Wagamese 83). This quote reveals how hockey brought Saul joy as it brought his mind off his current situation. It contrasts with the reality that Saul faces as an Indigenous boy where he suffers physical and emotional abuse. Hockey becomes his salvation, but also a source of racial discrimination and pain. Furthermore, this can be compared to the mother's character shown in the quote," Laelita had a lot of pride, and so did my mother" (Thomas King 140). This quote reveals the personality trait of the mother, who is strong-willed and proud of her Indigenous identity. It foreshadows the conflict that arises later in the story when the mother refuses to compromise her identity. On the contrary, this can be compared to a real-life situation and the difference in character from the mother in Borders and Saul, “It drains me and makes me hurt," (Chelsea Vowel, The Guardian). In this quote, Chelsea Vowel describes how she feels when she reads the racist comments in her articles. It shows her character as someone who is passionate about educating others about Indigenous issues, but also someone who

In Indian Horse, he tells his story in his own words, sharing his thoughts and feelings with the reader, “I wondered what would become of us there…if we would flourish on this land that was ours alone” (Wagemese, 13). Saul’s hope about his new life on God’s lake is shown in this quote. The first-person perspective allows the reader to experience the story through Saul's eyes and understand his emotions from his view. Similarly, Borders is also written in first person perspective, “I told Stella that we were Blackfoot and Canadian, but she said that didn't count because I was a minor" (King, 137). The narrator shares his thoughts, feelings and observations throughout the story, the quote shows how the narrator's identity is influenced by his mother's identity. In addition, perspectives in news articles can vary, but the issue I've researched is written in third-person, “They make up 4.31. of Canada's population and many live on reserves in deplorable conditions” (The Guardian). This quote implies that Indigenous people are not treated equally or fairly by the government and society and that they lack access to essential services and opportunities that other Canadians enjoy. If it was said, by only one person using "She" or "I", it wouldn't clarify the fact that many Indigenous people are suffering, but only a single person. As