LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Indian Horse, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Family and Tradition
Cultural Genocide
Abuse and Trauma
Racism and Prejudice
Transcendence
Summary
Analysis
Although Father Quinney and Sister Ignacia protest, Father Leboutilier is able to convince them to allow Saul to join the hockey team. He insists that Saul has a “God-given gift.”
Leboutilier again stands up for Saul, arguing that the other teachers have a Christian duty to encourage their pupil’s gifts.
Active
Themes
Years have gone by since Saul has heard from his parents. But he no longer feels so lonely. The game of hockey has filled him with hope and energy.
Saul is still nursing some deep emotional wounds. But the game of hockey seems to help him forget, or move past, his family traumas. Whether hockey will continue to bring him happiness, however, remains to be seen.