In the novel Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese, first person narration was used in the perspective of Saul Indian Horse. Having Saul as the narrator lets readers dive into one’s life through the traumas that indigenous individuals had to endure. When Saul is the narrator, all of his immediate thoughts and emotions are clearly expressed and it allows for you to feel every emotion that he feels-the fear, pain, loss, all of it. As it has been discovered, many indigenous individuals from the 1900’s to even right now, in this day, have turned to the bottle. By following Saul’s incredible journey through life, readers understand why so many indigenous communities have high rates of substance abuse. Saul often uses drinking as a coping mechanism as well as hockey and work. Readers understand that for many many years he blocked out a large portion of the traumas from St. Jerome’s when it came to the molestation conducted by Father Leboutillier. Richard Wagamese used first person to induce and arouse the emotions of the readers by forming a strong connection with the main character, who also is the narrator. To sit down and read a full novel in the shoes of one character, you often grow with them, imagining yourself in their position. To read cover to cover in the perspective of Saul Indian Horse, you are able to truly understand the horrors of residential schools and being indigenous in the 1900’s.
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