Literature is an integral part of society, and analysis is essential to understanding the writer’s intentions. We have gone through Richard Wagamese’s book titled Indian Horse and understood his primary message, especially on the importance of perseverance when faced with difficult situations. Richard writes about a family living in Ontario, Canada, facing numerous challenges, mainly because they are considered outcasts and not welcome. Other society members harshly treat the family, forcing them to flee and live in isolated places. Saul, who emerges as the main character in the book, survives being taken to residential schools like his siblings Benjamin and Racheal by having his parents migrate further inland. The book reflects suffering and endurance that affects the family unit significantly, and only Saul survives in the end despite the problems he encounters on the way. We will compare the Indian Horse with Richard’s other piece of literature titled One Native Life. Similarly, Richard writes about the problems faced by individuals who travel from their indigenous residences and live with individuals from different cultures. Due to his childhood abuse, Richard is forced to move from his native home. He is beaten by his aunt and gets his arm broken at the age of one year. Along the way to maturity, Richard struggles to live a good life, and in the end, as described in the book, he realizes that the first step toward healing is accepting his past. In this essay, we will compare the two books and focus on how they address child abuse, the struggle to get an identity, and the importance of forgiveness as one strives to get back on track.
Child abuse and mistreatment are key in determining the life of individuals. Saul grows up in a family that lives in fear due to the discrimination against them. The whites have already taken two of the family’s children away, and to ensure the last one is not taken, they relocate to a remote place. Saul grows up under harsh conditions, and these affect his development. His parents become alcoholics as they try to find alternative ways of solving their challenges. When Benjamin escapes from school, the family lives in fear as they think that the Whiteman might be following him to return him to school. This is evident in the Indian Horse writing on page 11, which states, “So we hid from the white men. Benjamin and I developed the quick ears of bush people. (Wagamese, .2018 pg.11)” This shows how tense it was growing up. On the other hand, Richard is saved from the abuse meted on him and has to live with foster parents. At one point, his aunt immerses him in a pool of water, and they are not allowed to come up and grasp some air. Their uncle saves them, and ultimately, he finds himself in Canada, far from his native home. The challenges faced by the main characters are important in shaping their lives as they grow up and teach us the importance of not giving up.
People always strive to get an identity, and the challenge is tougher whenever society is oppressive and does not give room for freedom of expression. Saul is made to undergo difficult moments in his development into an adult. First, he lacks the support often provided by his siblings and the protection from his parents. He is left with his aging granny, who tries to teach traditional beliefs and actions in the young boy. Saul is unsure of the right person to believe since his mother is against the teachings of Naomi, his grandmother. When the grandmother passes on, he is taken by the white men to a school and witnesses the suffering of children where others commit suicide. Saul establishes that he is talented at playing hockey which helps him pass the time and socialize. The school setup allows Saul to grow into an independent man who, in the end, can fight the discrimination thrown his way. In One Native Life, Richard manages to fight through the challenges on his way, especially the lack of first parent’s care, and manages to seek ways to vent through life. He listens to music and engages in writing as he strives to get an identity and means to express himself. He acknowledges that music is a universal language by stating, “There is a song for every memory. (Wagamese, .2009 pg.195)”. Again, he looks for job opportunities to sustain himself and develop the independence he badly needs. Richard lacked local heroes from whom he could draw inspiration, like Saul could get encouragement from his grandmother’s strength. He, therefore, sought other individuals whom he considered superstars to draw inspiration from. It is not surprising that the two characters engage in alcoholism and drugs at some point in their lives, resulting from a lack of identity and true purpose in life. The two books show the need to have individuals seek guidance in difficulties.
In addition, overcoming life’s challenges and living decently calls for forgiveness and commitment to leave the past behind and focus on the journey ahead. After years of playing professional hockey and becoming overly aggressive, Saul returns to his native home, where he recollects his life. When he returns to St. Jerome, he remembers the violence meted on him by father Gaton. He is angered by the father’s deed of taking advantage of his innocence and using hockey which he played, to help himself overcome the challenges in his life and sexually abuse him. In the end, Saul returns to New Dawn Centre with and purpose to live life and leave the haunting behind. Richard, as drawn from One Native Life, accepts that heroes are found everywhere, and one doesn’t necessarily require to be bothered by race or color. He managed to overcome his alcohol addiction and lived decently. He learns that rebuilding his life was a process, and he had to be patient to see the rebuild get to fruition. Richard learns that everything has to start from inside and leave whatever injustices and bitterness behind for him to soldier on and overcome life challenges. Essentially, the two books provide a significant lesson that, for one to overcome life’s trouble, one needs to embrace forgiveness and purpose to rebuild without the past dragging them behind.
In conclusion, the two books significantly show how individuals can overcome adversity and survive life situations. Life is a process, and every developmental stage is critical in shaping the later stages. Often, children are abused and made to suffer at the hands of individuals who ordinarily should offer support and protection. Society needs to develop programs and avenues to ensure that all individuals protect children’s rights. It is equally important to ensure that children are not separated from their first family, especially their parents and siblings, for this further exposes them to more trouble. Leaving children to grow up in environments habited by members from different cultural background further exposes the children to abuse and discrimination. Societies should formulate policies embracing diversity and togetherness. We are all equal, and our differences make life more exciting; therefore, there is no need to hate or discriminate against one another. Further, in case one feels mistreated or aggrieved by the happenings in their early life, it is important that they embrace forgiveness to ensure that they heal and live a good life thereafter. Some happenings are irreversible, and therefore, holding on to them bitterly does not make the situation any better. The main characters in the books analyzed were presented with some of the most difficult situations in their early life but did not despair. They gambled their way out and ultimately managed to get some meaning in life. Drugs and alcoholism worsen our lives, and individuals should be discouraged from taking them as alternative means of overcoming stress and depression.
Works Cited
Wagamese, R. (2009). One native life. D & M Publishers.
Wagamese, R. (2018). Indian horse: A novel. Milkweed Editions.
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