Indian Horse Sparknotes

Trauma Through the Eyes of Residential School Survivors

Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder include "Reliving the traumatic event as if it were happening again (flashbacks)" (Sandhya Pruti). Therefore, trauma occurs from an emotionally disturbing or life-threatening event causing long-lasting unpleasant effects. Similarly, numerous notable works of literature explore post-traumatic stress disorder. In Indian Horse, Richard Wagamese uses Saul's character flashbacks to exemplify the realities of trauma toward developing children. St. Jerome's Residential School destroyed all positive aspects of Saul's life through excessive trauma. Richard Wagamese uses Saul's lack of closeness with his classmates, sexual assault from Father Leboutiller

Through enforcing the catholic religion, English language and overall culture, most children lost themselves in the school. However, Saul grew up differently than his grandparents, knowing less about his Indian background and speaking English well. Saul never felt accepted by his classmates, as he illustrates, "I took to isolation. I wasn't a large boy, and I could disappear easily" (48). Therefore, Saul was isolated from his classmates because he lacked a resemblance to his Indian background. The alienation traumatized Saul affecting his ability to form future healthy relationships. Saul elucidates, "But in my chrysalis of silence, I turned to Zhaunagush books and language, finding in them a path beyond the astringent smell of the school. The nuns and the priests took me for studious and encouraged me to vanish even further into my self-imposed exile" (48). Hence, the Residential School destroyed Saul's ability for a support system and worsened his depression by promoting alienation. Furthermore, despite exiling himself through secret and forbidden Zhaunagush studies, Saul found comfort in a new student named Sheila Jack. After isolating himself from the other students because he felt different, Saul began to lose hope in change. However, the arrival of Sheila

Jerome's Residential School further traumatized Saul with a lack of instability in hockey. In an ideal situation, hockey would have provided Saul with a joyous escape from the realities of the Residential school. Meanwhile, history repeats itself as the school takes a positive aspect of Saul's life and turns it into a new trauma. During hockey, Saul experiences an escape from the familiar emotion of sadness and regret. Throughout fleeting moments, Saul frees himself from the shackles of loneliness and depression the school placed around his wrists. Without potential hope, Saul might have become another statistic. However, any sign of happiness is associated with significant pain at school. Saul illustrates, "The secret morning practices that moved me closer to the game also moved me further away from the horror. I used the game to shelter me from seeing the truth, from having to face it every day. Later, after I was gone, the game kept from remembering" (199). Therefore, the sole opportunity for Saul to have a positive childhood experience was obliterated by the Residential School. Saul attempted to use hockey as a shield from his trauma and find comfort in ignorance. However, after holding on to his trauma for decades, the baggage eventually becomes too heavy. Saul desperately wanted hockey to erase all personal problems magically. Although time again, Saul is disappointed by his coach and teammates on the hockey team, leaving him empty but filled with regret.