How Does Hockey Serve As A Metaphor In Indian Horse?

Again and again, Wagamese uses hockey as a symbol for Saul’s life more generally. In Canada in the mid-twentieth century, hockey is viewed by many as a “white person’s game,” and therefore Saul’s love of hockey is symbolic of how different his life is from the lives of his ancestors.

How is hockey a metaphor in Indian Horse?

Hockey is metaphor for the “white man’s game”… the game of life. They expect him to play the role of savage Indian, and eventually, fueled by a lifetime of suppressed rage, and against his better instincts, he obliges them.

Why is hockey important to Saul Indian Horse?

Saul uses hockey as a major escape route and as he plays hockey he stops being reserved and becomes livelier. Hockey helps him forget about his problems. For instance, he said that the game kept him from remembering; that as long as he could escape into it, he could fly away (Wagamese 199).

How does hockey help Saul find his identity?

Identity. Point 1: Hockey helps give Saul an identity by introducing him into a brotherhood. It is evident that when Saul becomes part of the team, his identity is returned to him with the help of his new found brotherhood, making him feel less isolated and more powerful.

How does Saul’s gift of vision help him understand hockey?

To his own amazement, Saul finds that he understands hockey almost immediately. He’s good at seeing the ebb and flow of the game and understanding how players have to fight to gain an advantage on the ice.

Is hockey a theme in Indian horse?

Set in Northern Ontario in the late 1950s and early 1960s, it follows protagonist Saul Indian Horse as he uses his extraordinary talent for ice hockey to try and escape his traumatic residential school experience.

How does Saul describe hockey in Indian horse?

Chapter 22 Quotes
“Hockey is like the universe, Saul,” he said one day. “When you stand in the dark and look up at it, you see the placid fire of stars. But if we were right in the heart of it, we’d see chaos.

What does the phrase horse hockey mean?

False or deceitful statements; lies
(slang, euphemistic) False or deceitful statements; lies; exaggerations; nonsense. (a euphemism for horseshit).

What is called horse hockey?

Polo…also known as ‘hockey on horseback‘

Who introduced Saul to hockey in Indian Horse?

Fred Kelly
In 1966, when Saul is thirteen, he is invited by Fred Kelly to live with his Ojibway family in Manitouwadge and play for the Manitouwadge Moose junior hockey team (nicknamed “the Moose”), coached by Fred and captained by their son Virgil.

How does hockey represent Canadian identity?

As Canadians, we proudly claim that we “own” the game. Canadian mythology invokes hockey. The game unites us. It cuts across cultural, geographic, and socio-economic lines so that when we play, we are all Canadians…at least according to our folklore.

What is Saul’s vision of hockey?

Second, Saul experiences a feeling of transcendence when he plays hockey. During his time at St. Jerome’s, and later when he lives with Fred Kelly, Saul enjoys the sense of exhilaration that comes with skating on the hockey rink. He feels as if he’s limitless, no longer encumbered by sadness or shame.

Why was Saul kicked off hockey?

Deep down, Saul seems to know that his coach is right: he is being a cheap goon. But he has so much pent-up anger and frustration that he can’t seem to help himself from simply responding with violence to the violence that has, for years, been directed at him—and as a result, he’s kicked off the team.

How is hockey character building for Saul?

Hockey gives Saul a sense of identity and that is lost if he does not hold it with him. Saul uses his sport as affection to gain acceptance to himself and the full community. Overall, hockey was the best coping method for saul.

What opportunity is offered to Saul in terms of hockey what does he decide to do?

Lanahan offers him a chance to play for a feeder team for the NHL Maple Leafs called the Marlboros. Saul feels reluctant to subject himself to more racism. Lanahan says he is wasting his time playing with the Moose and deserves a chance to play at a higher level.

What is the moral lesson of the story of Saul?

Saul could have been a great person and king but his pride ruined him. He could have used his powerful position to make God proud but instead he just cared about himself. Romans 12:16 Get along with each other; don’t be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody.

Is hockey a national symbol of India?

At the time when it was elected as the national game of India, hockey was extremely popular. Whilst the sport is still popular in India today, the game was at its most popular between the years 1928 and 1956. It was during this time period that India won 6 consecutive gold medals in the Olympic Games for hockey.

Is hockey a theme?

“The Hockey Theme” is a Canadian piece of instrumental theme music composed in 1968 by Dolores Claman and orchestrated by Jerry Toth. It was widely recognized as Canada’s unofficial second national anthem.
The Hockey Theme.

Why is hockey so popular in India?

Introduced in the Indian army during British rule, hockey attracted the masses so much so that India won a hat-trick of gold medals not once but twice.

What transformation does Saul believe hockey can bring?

Saul Indian Horse was first introduced to the game of hockey through literature within the racist, nationalistic, and assimilative space of the residential school. “From those books,” he declares, “I got the idea that hockey had an alchemy that could transform ordinary men into great ones” (57).

Who is the hero in Indian Horse?

Its hero is Saul Indian Horse, a resilient Ojibway boy who becomes a self-made star on the hockey rink while enduring abuse by priests and nuns at his residential school.