Family is crucial to the lives of people. It's widely regarded that family, blood related or not, provides people with a sense of belonging, identity, and culture. In Richard Wagamese’s Indian Horse, he shows that the novel's protagonist, Saul Indian Horse, is greatly impacted by “family”. This is shown through Saul’s traditional family, more specifically Naomi, Saul’s grandmother, who inspires him to find his inner strength. Along with Saul’s foster parents, the Kellys, who provide Saul with a supportive environment, and always tend to his needs. Lastly, through Saul’s hockey team, The Moose, who constantly encourage Saul, and give him a sense of belonging. In Richard Wagamese’s novel, Indian Horse, the author illustrates the huge influence
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Throughout the novel, Noami always demonstrates a profound sense of love for Saul, and consistently offers her support and guidance to him. Furthermore, she serves as a place of strength and wisdom, and always has Saul's best interest in mind, which helps inspire him throughout his journey. When Noami and Saul canoe away from God’s Lake to try to escape from the residential school system, they run into issues with the weather. It is harshly snowing outside and they are both close to freezing to death. However, Saul explains that "[s]he tore branches from [the] [trees] and piled them on the snow and made me lie down in them” (Wagamese 39). This further exaggerates Naomi's strength and love for Saul, and shows how much of a role model Noami was to him. Not only was this an inspirational moment for Saul, but it’s something he will never forget. The impact Noami had on Saul was massive, we can see how much strength, guidance and wisdom Noami passed onto Saul. Furthermore, whenever Saul is enduring hardship, he constantly thinks back on his grandmother for aid. In addition, Noami is a maternal figure to …show more content…
The Moose hockey team provides Saul with a sense of belonging and friendship. Saul was playing his first scrimmage game with the Moose, as the scrimmage went on, it became apparent that Saul was one of the best players on the team. At the end of the scrimmage, it's clear that Saul's skill on the ice earned his team's respect. We can see Saul first feel welcomed when he tells the reader that, "they raised their own bottles at me silently and drank. No one said a word. [...] I was a Moose. "(Wagamese 107) " For the first time in forever, Saul feels a sense of camaraderie, belonging, and unity. His bond with The Moose reinforces his identity as part of something beyond his immediate family. This sense of belonging within the Moose shows the importance of family connections, which contribute to his emotional health. Next, the Moose is a source of encouragement for Saul, constantly motivating him to strive for perfection on and off the ice. Saul receives an offer from NHL recruiter, Jack Lanahan. Saul is worried about accepting the offer and is talking to his teammates on the Moose for advice, “[w]hat if I don’t make it?” [said Saul] “You will,” Ernie said
Throughout the novel, Noami always demonstrates a profound sense of love for Saul, and consistently offers her support and guidance to him. Furthermore, she serves as a place of strength and wisdom, and always has Saul's best interest in mind, which helps inspire him throughout his journey. When Noami and Saul canoe away from God’s Lake to try to escape from the residential school system, they run into issues with the weather. It is harshly snowing outside and they are both close to freezing to death. However, Saul explains that "[s]he tore branches from [the] [trees] and piled them on the snow and made me lie down in them” (Wagamese 39). This further exaggerates Naomi's strength and love for Saul, and shows how much of a role model Noami was to him. Not only was this an inspirational moment for Saul, but it’s something he will never forget. The impact Noami had on Saul was massive, we can see how much strength, guidance and wisdom Noami passed onto Saul. Furthermore, whenever Saul is enduring hardship, he constantly thinks back on his grandmother for aid. In addition, Noami is a maternal figure to …show more content…
The Moose hockey team provides Saul with a sense of belonging and friendship. Saul was playing his first scrimmage game with the Moose, as the scrimmage went on, it became apparent that Saul was one of the best players on the team. At the end of the scrimmage, it's clear that Saul's skill on the ice earned his team's respect. We can see Saul first feel welcomed when he tells the reader that, "they raised their own bottles at me silently and drank. No one said a word. [...] I was a Moose. "(Wagamese 107) " For the first time in forever, Saul feels a sense of camaraderie, belonging, and unity. His bond with The Moose reinforces his identity as part of something beyond his immediate family. This sense of belonging within the Moose shows the importance of family connections, which contribute to his emotional health. Next, the Moose is a source of encouragement for Saul, constantly motivating him to strive for perfection on and off the ice. Saul receives an offer from NHL recruiter, Jack Lanahan. Saul is worried about accepting the offer and is talking to his teammates on the Moose for advice, “[w]hat if I don’t make it?” [said Saul] “You will,” Ernie said