Persecution In Indian Horse By Richard Wagamese

Many people feel like outsiders. In the novel, Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese, it highlights how a character can change as a result of persecution. Saul faces criticism from journalists, with headlines that have racist views. Saul receives abuse from a man he thinks he can trust, Father Leboutiller. Saul’s friendship with the Kellys allows him to listen to other people’s views and receive advice. Criticism, abuse, and friendship have helped Saul develop as a person as a result of persecution.
As an Indigenous hockey player, Saul receives many stereotypes. He gets criticism from the racist views of the journalists, audience, and hockey players. When Saul see’s the many headlines on newspapers about him, people yelling at him, and playing

dirty, he gets furious and starts fighting back. The Marlie’s coach tells Saul that he is not like this, but Saul states that he is giving them what they want. When playing hockey, Saul faces discrimination and hate from others, who would stereotype him as the “stoic Indian.” One day he gets tired from all the comments and decides to start fighting back and standing up for himself. Saul starts standing up for himself and from the haters, he develops from the player who was silent and did not fight back to the player who fought the most and spent the most time in the penalty box. The criticism pushes Saul to try and prove that he is a better player than others, and tries not to give into the hate because he knows he is better than that. Saul realizes that is enough and enough and people should no longer be stepping over him, and he shows this through fighting back. Saul believes that fighting back shows that he is stronger than everyone else.
During his stay at St. Jerome’s residential school Saul feels like he has someone that could protect him. Father Leboutiller is seen as the friend, but he mistreats Saul by abusing him and raping him. At St. Jerome’s, Father Leboutiller was a coach who took some interest in Saul, and he decides to take advantage of Saul and rape him, he bribes Saul with hockey to keep silent. When Saul was younger, he felt as if he did talk Father Leboutiller would take away something that he enjoys and that he was good at, so he kept quiet. The abuse that Saul went through causes Saul to go through a journey to find who he is and accept his past. Saul cope is with this horrid memory by drinking and playing hockey, but it was not enough, and he starts to no longer enjoy either of his coping methods. After a long journey, Saul realizes that he can accept his past and move on, he no longer needs to hide and escape from his feelings because he has others to open up to him. Saul becomes mature by accepting what has happened to him and moving on by not seeking revenge and try to enjoy the rest of his life.
Saul experiences many different types of relationships throughout the novel. When moving in with the Kelly’s he creates a bond with all of them, they were people he could rely on. Fred Kelly and Virgil offer Saul guidance throughout his life. Fred would give him advice because he understood what Saul was going through, and Virgil would listen to Saul and give him advice with hockey. They always had their arms open for Saul, willing to continually give him a chance, they gave him space even when they saw him struggling with what he was going through, but they knew he needed time. With their guidance, Saul was able to find his way through life and figure himself out. Fred and Virgil Kelly listened to Saul when he was upset, and they would always try to be there for him, they help Saul learn that he has to learn to accept what happened to him to move on. Saul takes in their advice and finally moves on. No matter where Saul went, he always trusts the Kelly’s to have their arms open for him.