Table of ContentsIntroductionSaul's Trauma in Indian HorseConclusionReferencesIntroductionIndian Horse has taught valuable lessons to many people and continues to do so, mainly because of the themes powerful proposed by the book. Saul Indian Horse, the main protagonist of the novel, experiences various long-term traumas that spoil his character and spirituality. Saul's role in the novel is to overcome his past trauma by recounting his own pain and imagining/remembering important moments in his life. This is why Saul’s trauma in “Indian Horse” is the subject of this essay. Some deeply impacting examples of suffering that Saul experienced were the betrayal of his family, which broke their family bond. His experiences at residential schools also contributed to his distress, including the sexual abuse he suffered at the hands of his favorite priest. Additionally, the constant insults and racism he faced simply for playing hockey as an Aboriginal person exacerbated his misery. Saul Indian Horse's narration of his own trauma ultimately leads him to reclaim the power of imagination. This power of imagination is passed down through Saul's grandmother, Naomi, who plays a crucial role in the book in guiding him to become a leader and encouraging him to embrace his own culture. Hockey also serves as a key symbol that contributes to Saul's imagination, as the sport transforms him from a hockey enthusiast into an unstable individual. Additionally, the Lake of God reminds Saul to always be proud of and remember his ancestral land. Ultimately, drinking becomes another method by which he attempts to overcome his past, but it proves unsuccessful, leaving him weaker. Moreover, the methods Saul employs to overcome his trauma seem inscrutable and emotionally painful, given the considerable time it takes him to regain his courage and embark on an unknown path toward healing. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essaySaul's Trauma in Indian HorseSaul's account of trauma is complex in terms of its initial approach. The loss and betrayal of his family ends up becoming the main factors that traumatize Saul, as they disrupt the themes of family and tradition. Equally significant are the events involving the kidnapping of his siblings by white Canadians, the disappearance of his parents, and the death of his grandmother. Saul struggles to maintain his family's traditions and culture despite these challenges. Despite his time at residential school, Saul manages to preserve his language and traditions, largely due to his culture's strong beliefs and deep respect for it. However, Saul also feels betrayed by his parents' actions in breaking the family bond. As he states: "When your innocence is taken away from you, when your people are denigrated, when the family from which you come is denounced and your tribal customs and rituals are declared backward, primitive, savage, you come to regard yourself as less than human. . It's hell on earth, this feeling of unworthiness. This is what they did to us” (Wagamese, Richard, Indian Horse, 2012, p. 80). Saul struggles to overcome his family problems, mainly due to his young age at the time. At only 8 years old, he does not have the maturity to effectively tackle such challenges. An example of this lack of development is evident during his time at residential school, where he witnesses the hardships endured by Aboriginal children. The knowledge ofSaul's English language provides him with a slight advantage, sparing him the harsh punishments, including death, that some of his "friends" faced, such as murder and suicide. Saul remarks: “I have seen children die of tuberculosis, flu, pneumonia and broken hearts in Saint-Jérôme” (Wagamese, Richard, Indian Horse, 2012, p. 43). He further reflects, “They called it a school, but it was never that…There were no tests or exams. The only test was our ability to survive” (Wagamese, Richard, Indian Horse, 2012, p. 79). The loss and betrayal he suffers, coupled with witnessing the tragic fate of his friends at Saint-Jérôme boarding school, mark the beginning of Saul's initial distress. As Eigenbrod (8) suggests, readers gain insight into the perspective of the father, the family's primary breadwinner, who blames himself for failing to keep the family together. Recounting his trauma helped Saul memorize things that ultimately helped him overcome his pain. Once Saul decided to return to his old boarding school, he discovered that several years later his "best friend", Father Leboutillier, had sexually abused him when he was younger. At this point in his life, Saul's shocking realization led to enormous confusion and cognitive trauma. The priest was not the person Saul loved as a “father” and, unfortunately, Saul was one of the children who suffered physical abuse early on. “The truth about the abuse and the violation of my innocence was closer to the surface, and I used anger, rage, and physical violence to stop myself” (Wagamese, Richard, Indian Horse, 2012, p 200). This marks the first stage where Saul decides to overcome his trauma by confronting his difficult past, ultimately helping him move on and find forgiveness. Eigenbrod said: “There is a lot of healing to be done. Many of the negative feelings we carry are due to this place” (qtd. in Joe, Rita 48). Hockey was another way that helped Saul overcome his trauma, mainly because of the happiness and joy it brought him. Saul used the beauty of the game to escape the persistent racism he and his team faced simply because they were indigenous. “I would not feel alone or afraid, abandoned or abandoned, but connected to something much bigger than myself. Then I would go back to bed and sleep until dawn woke me and I could return to the rink” (Wagamese, Richard, Indian Horse, 2012, p. 62). However, when Saul got the opportunity to play professional hockey, things took a turn for the worse. While Saul played for the white Canadian team, he was constantly judged by his teammates and the crowd, largely because of the color of his skin. Eventually, Saul's passion for hockey waned as he felt the world didn't want him to play. As he grew up, he became violent to the point that he was willing to physically confront anyone who discriminated against him. Overall, hockey kept Saul from losing his Indigenous identity because it brought him happiness and courage. The opportunity to play with Native players and later with the Mooses allowed Saul to remain a proud Native who focused solely on playing correctly. He believed that hockey belonged to everyone, including Aboriginal people. “They ripped out our insides, Saul. We are not responsible for this. We are not responsible for what happened to us. None of us are," said Fred. "But our healing is up to us. That's what saved me. Knowing that it was my game" (Wagamese, Richard, Indian Horse, 2012 , p. 210)... 137-153.