The 60s; a time most people remember to be full of partying, overrun with tacky Afros, stoned hippies, and cheap lava lamps. However, even in the happiest of times, no matter how peaceful the world seems, you can always count on a minority being mistreated. During the 60s, this was happening right here in Canada, specifically in Residential Schools. These institutions were designed to assimilate native children into Canadian society, but in reality, they more often than not became host to the mutilation of the native people's rights, all in the name of the gods that every man, woman, and child of Canada worshipped. Richard Wagamese's book, Indian Horse, focuses on this aspect of Canadian history. The story follows the life of Saul Indian Horse, an Ojibway child whose life became filled with tragedy and pain; he was constantly being stabbed in the back by the people he trusted most, all because he was born with a different skin color. However, who in this tragic life of his hurt him the most? Undoubtedly, Father Leboutilier caused Saul the most pain in his life; subjecting him to a variety of abuses. These actions caused a multitude of…
In this poignant passage from "Indian Horse," Richard Wagamese masterfully delves into the multifaceted nature of relationships within Indigenous communities, focusing on the deeply resonant bond between Saul Indian Horse and his great-grandfather, Shabogeesick. Through Saul's introspective narration, Shabogeesick emerges as a towering figure imbued with spiritual wisdom and ancestral knowledge, serving as both a mentor and a guardian of traditional teachings. Saul's reverence for his great-grandfather not only reflects the profound respect ingrained within Indigenous cultures for elders but also underscores the profound impact of intergenerational connections on individual identity formation. Furthermore, Shabogeesick's journey to visit their…
In Saul Wagamese’s Indian Horse, Saul finds his escape and joy in hockey, contrasting against the horrors of St. Jerome’s Residential School. Wagamese uses the literary devices of metaphors and imagery to express the joy and escapism found by Saul when playing hockey. It is mentioned that his thoughts are that “There wasn’t a nuance that I didn’t try to incorporate what felt like flying, being borne across the sky on great wings.” This metaphor shows how much joy hockey brings him, as one would usually use feeling like they were flying to describe great happiness and would practice what they love at every moment if they truly enjoy it.. Also, by describing what Saul does to practice skating for hockey, the reader is allowed to envision the…
Times were very rough for the Native American Indians during the early 1900’s. Author Mary Crow Dog; a native American, tried to paint a vivid picture of some of the trials and tribulations that she underwent or heard about while she attended boarding school. Ms. Crow Dog tries to help readers better understand what she and many generations of Native Americans endured while attending St. Francis boarding school; which is located in South Dakota. She clearly stated that her mother and grandmother were not exempt from the harsh punishments given by the boarding school. Some of the same things that were going on at the school when Crow Dog was attending…
Entry-Point Journal As I read the first few chapters of the novel, Indian Horse, I think I have gained a slightly different perspective of the world. For example, at first, I thought that Indigenous people were just individuals that had a strong relationship with Canada's land. Now I have learned why they have such a relationship with this land that they consider theirs. These individuals helped shape Canada physically and culturally. In World War II, they voluntarily joined the Canadian military to help protect the land that we now know as Canada.…
Alexie’s father plays a part against the stereotype of Indians because he was “one of the few Indians who went to Catholic school on purpose” (Alexie 110). The stereotype was that all Indians were dumb and incapable of learning, but Alexie’s dad stood out of the crowd. Alexei’s father loved reading and loved to learn which put him out of the loop of the stereotype.…
In the book The Absolutely True Story of a Part - Time Indian by Sherman Alexie The main character Junior has to deal with many obstacles that take a tool on him throughout the book. One of the obstacles that Junior faces is the loss and depression from losing two family members. Another obstacle is that Junior has to leave his home reservation school and go to an all white school can Reardan. The final obstacle that Junior faces is that he has a brighter future and smarter than most kids on his reservation.…
These two girls had to over come everything their parents taught them to do something they would die to do.Betty Marie learned to take pride from her grandma.Betty also tried very hard and only made it to rodeos and country fairs.She was also told to start all the way over to get better.She changed her name to Maria to fit in better.She finally got big and made it to preforming on New York City. Rosa was a girl that wasn't aloud to paint.Rosa’s dad was a painter and always told her she couldn't paint.Rosa was supposed to learn how to make dresses,but refused to do it.At the age of thirteen Rosa’s dad finally let her learn how to paint.Rosa’s art was in “The Horse Fair”in 1853.Then in 1865 Rosa became the first woman artist to receive France’s highest award.I honestly think Rosa over…
In the beginning of this article, Edwards reviewed both Egami and Ledyard's argument of the Horserider theory then he pointed some of their ideas. Egami had eight ideas which supports the Horserider theory. His eight ideas are simply assertions of sudden, culture, and circumstances. Egami focused on events in the Horserider theory. On the other hand, Edwards reinterpretated processes rather than each events. He thinks that there wasn't huge differences the early and late kohun period. In addtion, no literatures recorded that events occurred in Japan which could be influenced a political organization.…
In “The Rocking-Horse Winner” we are introduced to a woman who author D.H Lawrence states, “was beautiful, who started with all the advantages, yet she had no luck. She married for love, and the love turned to dust. She had bonny children, yet she felt they had been thrust upon her, and she could not love them.” When I dive into the psychology behind that statement, I come up with a thought that this beginning draws similarities to Lawrence’s own upbringing with his coal miner father and schoolteacher mother. Similarly the mother in “The Rocking-Horse Winner” is disenchanted with her marriage and the way her life has turned out. In Lawrence’s own childhood he had parents who were suspected of treason and very status minded. (559) When I look at the relationship in the opening of the story between mother and children it is one of feeling burdened and having been ill prepared for child rearing and mother hood. This family seems completely motivated and driven by social status and superficial impressions. It seems to me that the children were brought into the world not by want or out of love but by obligation and social standards. What was a woman back then who did not raise a family and keep a home?…
There are many different breeds of horses. To the outsider, my favorite breed, American Quarter Horses, and least favorite breed, Thoroughbreds, may appear similar. While they both are horses, they differ in history/origins, uses, and characteristics.…
Many people will take huge risks if it means they can be happy. Junior (Arnold.) Takes a bold move leaving the rez. But, when Junior leaves the rez, he lives a double life. He is poor, shunned, and bullied on the rez. However, at Rearden, he is smart, rich, and popular. “The Absolutely True Diary of A Part Time Indian” by Sherman Alexie takes place at an indian reservation around 2006. Alexie tells the story of a 14 year old poor who leaves his reservation to go to a white school and find hope. When Junior decides to attend Rearden, he is split into two people- the “Indian” Junior and the “white” Arnold. He tries hard to make sure the two identities do not meet and that both have a calm experience to ensure a successful life.…
All across the world, there a different customs that people have to mark the time when a young person gains more respect, responsibility, and freedom. For the young boys in the story “Rite of Passage” by Doug Beardsley, this custom is beating an older family member in a hockey game. At the beginning of the story the main character, who is a young boy in the hockey game, describes the events that happen on the ice to be “the most significant events in a young man's life”, and based on this story, he is correct. At the end of the story, the young boy experiences his “rite of passage in the dying moments of the day”. As the narrator shares his recollection of events, he explains his change from being a naive, young boy, to the start of the…
“I have to prove that I am stronger than everybody else. I have to prove that I will never give up. I will never quit playing hard.” pg (132). Junior is an intelligent Native American teenager that wishes for nothing more than a hopeful future. Though the story is written with a humorous tone the message of the novel is tragic. The tragedy that Alexie through the voice of Arnold presents in his story is that Native American have under privileged lives due to their history and culture. Society has grown to expect them to fail which in turn discouraged them and sucked them dry to their hope and then they continue to live in their poverty. Arnold, who is the exception, finds the courage to leave the reservation even though he is racked with guilt to know that his tribe because they couldn’t find the mutation to prove society wrong.…
“Adversity is like a strong wind. It tears away from us all but the things that cannot be torn, so that we see ourselves as we really are.” Adversity implies difficulties, trouble and misfortune as it tests the potential of man and strengthens his spirit of self confidence. In the novel Indian Horse written by Richard Wagamese there are many circumstances where the main character Saul is forced to overcome the adversity in which once shattered his human spirit and made him feel worthless. The ideas of adversity such as being beaten at residential schools and the racism he faced while playing hockey, demonstrates Saul’s constant inner struggle and his desire to become a more powerful individual.…