Themes
Key
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
Saul’s parents never come back from their journey to find a priest. Weeks go by, and Saul and Naomi become worried. Eventually, Naomi tells Saul that they can’t wait any longer: they’ll have to canoe down the river, where it’s warmer, to stay with Naomi’s nephew, Minoose. Saul asks Naomi where his parents have gone, but she says she doesn’t know.
It is never explained what happens to Saul’s parents after they leave Saul and Naomi, but Saul and Naomi have no choice but to move on, or risk freezing to death in the cold of winter.
Themes
