Explore The Theme Of Reconciliation In Traplines And Indian Horse

Exploring Trauma and Reconciliation in ‘Traplines’ and ‘Indian Horse’:

A comparative Analysis of Literary Elements and Themes

Have you ever wondered how two seemingly different pieces of literature can share similar themes? Well, in my analysis of “Traplines” and “Indian Horse,” we will explore just that. Concerning the short story, “Traplines” and the novel, “Indian Horse,” both have many literary elements that can be interpreted by readers, such as myself, differently, leading to several similarities of themes to be formed between the two. Regarding the short story, “Traplines” by Thomas King, it illustrates the relationship between a father and son, which is seen as distant and disconnected as a result of change, childhood experiences, and

In “Indian Horse,” the act of capturing and releasing fish back into the water is used to symbolize the loss and reconnection of Indigenous culture. During one afternoon, Saul and a dozen of other kids escaped from the residential school and made their way to a ridge, in which they used burlap bags to capture and release fish. Through this experience, they were reminded of their past and how much they’ve lost, which is shown in the quote, “We fell asleep that night with our noses pressed to our hands and as the days went by and the smell of those suckers faded, there wasn’t a one of us that didn’t cry for the loss of the life we’d known before” (Wagamese, Pg. 54). The memories associated with this event showcase the emotional impact of the loss of cultural heritage and traditional ways of life due to trauma caused by residential schools. Additionally, the act of capturing and releasing the fish relates to the process of reconciliation as they reconnect with and reclaim their Indigenous culture, which are necessary steps towards reconciliation. In comparison, “Traplines” uses symbolism to show the protagonist's connection to his father and loss of culture, which is represented by an old fishing-tackle box. In greater detail, the protagonist’s son, Christopher, is preparing to go on a trip with his friend. Before leaving, Chris came out of the house carrying a green metal box, which was the protagonist’s old fishing box passed down to him by his father, “My father gave me that box. It was his father’s.” The protagonist was hesitant, but ended up giving it to Chris and suggesting, “Maybe after you get settled out there, we can come out. Maybe you and I can go do some fishing” (King, pg. 119). Chris receiving the box shows the passing down