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What Is The Theme Of Indian Horse By Richard Wagamese

931 Words4 Pages

Jyot Attal
NBE3UR
Cory Boucher
04 April 2023
The effects trauma has on one's resilience
Resilience comes from getting out of traumatic experiences alive, and being able to look forward to greater things. This resilience can be seen in the main character in Richard Wagamese‘s book as he is able to survive the horrors of residential schools, and the sense of abandonment he has. Indian horse, by Richard Wagamese, demonstrates how the traumatic events Saul experiences cause him to gain resilience, resulting in healing himself from the tortures of the past. Saul shows resilience through finding a family, getting clean from alcohol, and sharing his story.

Enduring the tortures of residential schools would deplete one’s trust in people, yet Saul …show more content…

It is also a way to escape from what one is feeling, which is the main reason why Saul starts to drink in the first place. Saul starts to drink to escape himself, as he realizes that “ someone you are not is often easier than living with a person you are” (Wagamese, 181). Saul continues to drink wherever he gets the opportunity as he is lost where he is physically and emotionally but he is “… too broke to get out of town, and too broke to care” (Wagamese, 182). He keeps on drinking until he ends up in Winnipeg having a seizure. In the hospital, he realizes that he needs to stop drinking. He understands that “ what [he needs] to survive, is killing [him]” (Wagamese, 189). Saul goes to a rehab center where he gets clean from alcohol, and starts healing himself and dealing with his underlying emotions. Saul being able to resist alcohol, and not relapsing is incredible considering that “ the percentage of people who will relapse after a period of recovery ranges from 50% to 90%” (Beating the Relapse Statistics -, 2022). Saul is able to stay successfully, clean, and beat the odds of relapsing. Going through a withdrawal, and dealing with terrors are a huge part of recovery for Saul, but he shows resilience and pushes through it, thus being able to stay

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