IndexIntroductionSaul's Trauma in the Indian HorseConclusionReferencesIntroductionIndian Horse has taught valuable lessons to many people and continues to do so, largely due to the powerful themes offered in the book. Saul Indian Horse, the main protagonist of the novel, suffers a series of long-term traumas that ruin his character and spirituality. Saul's role in the novel is to overcome the trauma of the past by recounting his pain and imagining/remembering significant moments in his life. Therefore Saul's trauma in 'Indian Horse' is the topic of this essay. Some examples of profound suffering that Saul experienced were his family's betrayal, which destroyed their family bond. His experiences in residential schools also contributed to his distress, particularly the sexual abuse he suffered at the hands of his favorite priest. Furthermore, the constant insults and racism he faced simply for playing hockey as an Indigenous person exacerbated his misery. Saul Indian Horse's narration of his own trauma ultimately leads him to reclaim the power of the imagination. This power of imagination was passed down from Saul's grandmother, Naomi, who plays a crucial role in the book by 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 to an unstable individual. Additionally, the Lake of God serves to remind Saul to always be proud and remember his ancestral land. Eventually, the use of alcohol becomes another method through which he attempts to overcome his past, but it proves unsuccessful, leaving him weaker. Furthermore, the methods Saul employs to overcome his trauma appear impenetrable and emotionally painful, given the considerable time it takes him to regain his courage and embark on an unknown path to healing. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Saul's Trauma in the Indian Horse The narrative of Saul's trauma is complex in terms of its initial approach. The loss and betrayal of his family ultimately become major factors that traumatize Saul, as they disrupt themes of family and tradition. Equally significant are the events involving his siblings taken 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 in a residential school, Saul manages to preserve his language and tradition, largely thanks to his strong beliefs in his culture and his deep respect for it. However, Saul also feels betrayed by his parents' actions that broke the family bond. As he states: “When your innocence is stripped from you, when your people are vilified, when the family you come from is denounced and your tribal ways and rituals are declared backward, primitive, savage, you come to see yourself as less than human ". . This is hell on earth, that sense of unworthiness. This is what they inflicted on us' (Wagamese, Richard, Indian Horse, 2012, p. 80). Saul is struggling with overcoming his family problems, mainly due to his young age at the time. Being only 8 years old, he lacks the maturity to effectively deal with such challenges. An example of this lack of development is evident during his time at the residential school, where he witnesses the hardships endured by Indigenous children. The knowledge ofSaul's English language gives him a slight advantage, saving him from the severe punishments, including death, that some of his "friends" have faced, such as murder and suicide. Saul notes, “I have seen children die of tuberculosis, influenza, pneumonia, and broken hearts at St. Jerome” (Wagamese, Richard, Indian Horse, 2012, p. 43). He also reflects: 'They called it school, but it was never that... There were no exams. The only test was our ability to survive' (Wagamese, Richard, Indian Horse, 2012, p. 79). The loss and betrayal he experiences, along with witnessing the tragic fate of his friends at St. Jerome's residential school, mark the beginning of Saul's initial anguish. As Eigenbrod (8) suggests, readers delve into the perspective of the father, the family's primary breadwinner, who blames himself for failing to keep the family together. Recounting the trauma helped Saul memorize things that ultimately helped him overcome his pain. Once Saul decided to revisit his old residential school, he discovered that many 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 tremendous 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 early physical abuse. “The truth of the abuse and rape of my innocence was closer to the surface, and I used anger, rage, and physical violence to block me from it” (Wagamese, Richard, Indian Horse, 2012, p. 200). This marks the initial step in which Saul decides to overcome his trauma by addressing his harsh past, ultimately helping him move forward and find forgiveness. Eigenbrod stated, "There's a lot of healing to be done. A lot of the bad feelings we carry around are because of that place' (qtd. in Joe, Rita 48). Hockey was another way he helped Saul get through his trauma, mostly because of the happiness and joy it brought him Saul used the beauty of the game as an escape from the ongoing racism he and his team faced simply because they were indigenous or scared, abandoned or abandoned, but connected to something much bigger than myself. Then I would go back to bed and sleep until the dawn woke me and I could go to the skating rink again' (Wagamese, Richard, Indian Horse, 2012 , p. 62). However, when Saul got the opportunity to play professional hockey, things got worse. While Saul played for the white Canadian team, he faced constant judgment from his teammates and the public, for the most part because of the color of his skin. Eventually, Saul's passion for hockey faded as he felt the world didn't want him to play. As he grew up, he became violent to the point of being willing to physically confront anyone who discriminated against him. Overall, hockey prevented Saul from losing his native identity, as it brought him happiness and courage. The opportunity to play with Indigenous players and later with the Mooses allowed Saul to remain a proud Indigenous person who focused solely on playing fair. He believed that hockey belonged to everyone, including indigenous individuals. «They have emptied our bowels, Saul. We are not responsible for it. We are not responsible for what happened to us. None of us are,” Fred said. “But our healing depends on us. That's what saved me. Knowing it was my game' (Wagamese, Richard, Indian Horse, 2012, p. 210). Saul's grandmother, Naomi, plays a crucial role in the novel and helps Saul regain the power of his imagination.. 137-153.