Saul - Indian Horse and Hockey

Hockey is a prevailing theme in the Indian Horse and hockey is what I think saves Saul. Hockey gives Saul hope and really just grants him a new life after basically losing his family and going through all his negative experiences. Saul was rather inverted and just read books and disassociated himself from the outside world. He wanted to be in the shadow and didn't attract much attention.Father leboutilier introduced the game of hockey to Saul. After this first experience with the Father Saul would slowly become more confident and create an identity, a purpose in life and a love for hockey that would keep him going. Saul read many books about hockey and Father leboutilier answered all of his question. Saul saw the older boys play one time and his excitement grew. Saul could also perceive what the game was really about, space, the lines, under all that chaos the game of Hockey was. Saul saw Hockey Night in Canada and watched focused on what was happening, the thrill excited Saul even more. After that, Saul wanted to play so badly. Due to Saul’s age, he wasn't permitted to play but was allowed to do something else sort of related. Saul was granted permission to shovel the snow off the ice and tend to the rink.

Saul was now given a purpose to wake up in the morning and tending to the rink helped him keep his mind off of the negativity of the Residential School. Saul now woke up dutifully earlier than everyone and shovelled the snow off the rink. When he was done shovelling he would pick up his stashed hockey stick and begin to handle horse turds. Saul would develop his game this way and he would become happier. Everyday he would follow his early morning ritual and would think about hockey the whole day. Saul became addicted and developed a nurturing relationship with the game. Hockey not only gave hope to Saul it also gave him an “ally”, a friend. Father Leboutilier would become Sauls shield and would defend him from the priests and nuns when they got too hard on him. Saul now

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