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Multifaceted Traumas In Richard Wagamese's Indian Horse

655 Words3 Pages

Richard Wagamese's novel "Indian Horse" delves deep into the profound impact of trauma on the protagonist, Saul Indian Horse. Set against the backdrop of systemic oppression and cultural erasure, Saul's journey is marked by a series of harrowing experiences that shape his identity and sense of self. In this essay, we explore the multifaceted traumas Saul endures and their enduring effects on his psyche. "I knew it was wrong to want to be Indian, to want to stay Indian when everyone else was trying to leave that part of themselves behind. I knew it was wrong because I was weak and looking backward, and I was wrong because I didn't care. I wanted to stay Indian." (Page, 19)Saul's longing to embrace his Indigenous heritage clashes with societal …show more content…

His aspirations to honor his Indigenous roots through the sport are reflected in his desire to "play for them and make them proud" (Wagamese, 113), showcasing hockey as a means of reclaiming agency and pride. Unable to cope with the weight of his past, Saul turns to alcohol as a coping mechanism, perpetuating a cycle of self-destructive behavior. Through his struggle, he articulates his desire to "forget who I was, what I was" (Wagamese, 199), highlighting the profound impact of trauma-induced substance abuse on his sense of identity and …show more content…

Jerome's robs Saul of his innocence and instills a profound sense of disillusionment. As he reflects, "I couldn't be any more part of it" (Page, 154), Saul grapples with the loss of his childhood innocence and the harsh realities of systemic violence. Saul's internalized racism and self-hatred reflect the insidious effects of colonialism on Indigenous self-perception. Despite his outward appearance, Saul feels disconnected from his Indigenous identity, expressing, "Inside I was white" (Page, 110), highlighting the complexities of racial identity and internalized oppression. Saul recognizes the intergenerational transmission of trauma within his family, underscoring the pervasive nature of colonial violence in Indigenous communities. As he reflects on his parents' legacy, he acknowledges, "They were walking around in bodies that had never been innocent" (Page, 202), illuminating the cyclical nature of trauma within Indigenous families. Despite the overwhelming challenges he faces, Saul finds solace and healing through reconnecting with his cultural heritage. Drawing strength from the spirit of the earth, Saul embarks on a journey of self-discovery and resilience. As he reflects, "The key to my survival was to learn how to gather strength from the spirit of the earth" (Page, 219), Saul's journey illustrates the transformative power of resilience and cultural reclamation in the face of

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Richard Wagamese Indian Horse Quotes

339 Words | 2 Pages

In "Indian Horse" by Richard Wagamese, a quote displays the theme of identity through the lens of cultural connection and heritage. Saul Indian Horse, the main character, heavily struggles with the complexities of his Ojibway identity, pending the intruding influence of colonialism. The quote really dives deep into Saul's inspiring journey, exploring his lineage and connection to northern Ontario's landscapes. Accordingly, throughout the chapters, Saul's heavily observed journey, in the quote, really goes deep into his lineage and the traditions of his people, connecting him to the landscapes of northern Ontario, and showing how his identity is heavily involved in the land, spirits, and stories of his ancestors. Moreover, the physical attributes

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The Role Of Journey In Indian Horse By Richard Wagamese

690 Words | 3 Pages

Father Lebourtille introduced Saul to the game of hockey, this sport soon helps saul leave the school. Saul found hope in hockey it made him feel like he was free. “ I no longer felt the hopeless, chill air around me, because I had father Leboutilier, the ice, the mornings and the promise of the game”(Wagamese 77). Hockey becomes the main focus in saul’s journey because it provides him with hope, and happiness two very rare things that cannot be found at the school. Father Lebotiller becomes a father figure to Saul, helping him get better and better at hockey, protecting him from the other nuns and priests.

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Chapter Analysis Of Indian Horse By Richard Wagamese

583 Words | 3 Pages

Reese McKean Ms. Paulino. 17 May 2024 “To Be One with Aki” The novel Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese gives a unique perspective on Indigenous people. The novel is written from the character, Saul’s point of view. Therefore, through Saul’s eyes, his experience at a Canadian residential school and how it impacted his entire life is told. The first chapter introduces Saul and the setting.

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Temporary Relief In Richard Wagamese's Indian Horse

1772 Words | 8 Pages

Indian Horse: Temporary Relief in Coping Mechanisms Richard Wagamese’s novel Indian Horse follows the story of Saul Indian Horse who experiences numerous accounts of trauma throughout the novel wherein he is ill-prepared to face. Because of this, Saul does not know how to deal with his emotions and therefore attempts to run from his suffering rather than face it. Saul moves from one escape to the next, each providing short-term relief. The first of these comforts was hockey, which Saul discovered a passion for during his stay at St. Jerome’s. When the racism from the crowds and the players became too much, Saul fled and found relief in physical labour.

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Sovereignty In Indian Horse By Richard Wagamese

872 Words | 4 Pages

As he grows older, Saul starts to play in leagues that are dominated by white people and home to white fans. As a result of this, Saul is faced with racism and discrimination from these people. Saul’s Indigenous heritage becomes his Achilles' heel, making him an easy target for physical violence and verbal abuse from opponents who see him as a threat. Sauls says that “They called [him] Indian Whores, Horse Piss, Stolen Pony. ”(Wagamese Chapter 38).

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Obstacles In Richard Wagamese's Indian Horse

641 Words | 3 Pages

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

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The Sun Dance Changed My Life Sparknotes

1164 Words | 5 Pages

Saul and Chayla: Transformative Journeys In the world of Indigenous literature, various narratives explore the transformative power of cultural traditions on individuals' lives. Richard Wagamese's Indian Horse and Chayla Delorme Maracle's story "The Sun Dance Changed My Life" delve into the lives of characters who undergo profound changes through their engagement with Indigenous cultural practices. Through examining the experiences of Saul in "Indian Horse" and Chayla Delorme Maracle in "The Sun Dance Changed My Life" as well as their motivations, struggles, and the impact of their respective journeys, the author highlights the transformative power of Indigenous culture. Furthermore, in certain ways, such as striving for a sense of belonging,

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Journey In Richard Wagamese's Indian Horse

1114 Words | 5 Pages

Through the Medicine Wheel, we are reminded of our lifelong journey that is continuous upon birth and living through youth, adulthood and senior years. In Richard Wagamese’s Indian Horse, the protagonist Saul experiences many obstacles which shape and develop his character. Saul’s life can be divided into more than the four stages of life to better understand his journey. Saul’s Life with His Family The time Saul was able to spend with his family was very short due to the effects of the white men.

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Discrimination In Richard Wagamese's Indian Horse

1188 Words | 5 Pages

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.

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Analysis Of Sacrifice In Indian Horse By Richard Wagamese

829 Words | 4 Pages

Author Richard Wagamese conveys a message in his novel Indian Horse displaying the idea of sacrifice. Specifically how people must sacrifice belonging for survival. Wagamese uses Saul 's experiences, choices and general story to express this message. Throughout Saul’s life he is forced to make sacrifices for himself and the people around him in order to survive, his isolation is what gets him through. Everyday people see the reproductions of community and how surviving isn 't an easy thing.

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Essay On Indian Horse By Richard Wagamese

1638 Words | 7 Pages

Sina Sepehri Mrs. Del Buono NBE3U1 May 3, 2024. The Drainful Suffering of Racism and Hate Crimes Experienced in Indian Horse The compelling story reveals the deep mental impact of racism and hate crimes on Saul, creating an unsettling depiction of an Indigenous person deeply wounded by prejudice and injustice. This novel “Indian Horse” by Richard Wagamese, delves into the life of an Indigenous kid named Saul through times of residential school.

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Indian Horse Racism

964 Words | 4 Pages

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.

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Comparing The Lone Ranger And Tonto Fistfight In Heaven

571 Words | 3 Pages

Writer Sherman Alexie has a knack of intertwining his own problematic biographical experience with his unique stories and no more than “The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven” demonstrates that. Alexie laced a story about an Indian man living in Spokane who reflects back on his struggles in life from a previous relationship, alcoholism, racism and even the isolation he’s dealt with by living off the reservation. Alexie has the ability to use symbolism throughout his tale by associating the title’s infamy of two different ethnic characters and interlinking it with the narrator experience between trying to fit into a more society apart from his own cultural background. However, within the words themselves, Alexie has created themes that surround despair around his character however he illuminates on resilience and alcoholism throughout this tale.

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1121 Words | 5 Pages

In his book the Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, Sherman Alexie portrays a teenage boy, Arnold Spirit (junior) living in white man’s world, and he must struggle to overcome racism and stereotypes if he must achieve his dreams. In the book, Junior faces a myriad of misfortunes at his former school in ‘the rez’ (reservation), which occurs as he struggles to escape from racial and stereotypical expectations about Indians. For Junior he must weigh between accepting what is expected of him as an Indian or fight against those forces and proof his peers and teachers wrong. Therefore, from the time Junior is in school at reservation up to the time he decides to attend a neighboring school in Rearden, we see a teenager who is facing tough consequences for attempting to go against the racial stereotypes.

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490 Words | 2 Pages

When his second grade teacher calls him “indian, indian, indian,” Victor says, “Yes, I am. I am Indian. Indian, I am” (Alexei 173). The conversation portrays parallelism in that Victor’s repetition echoes the way his teacher repeats “Indian”. Alexei’s use of a capitalization change portrays Victor’s desire to identify as Indian while the white community tries to assimilate him.

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