Indian Horse

by

Richard Wagamese

Teachers and parents! Our Teacher Edition on Indian Horse makes teaching easy.

Fred Kelly Character Analysis

Fred Kelly is one of the gentlest and most likeable characters in the novel. He adopts Saul Indian Horse, freeing Saul from St. Jerome’s, and encourages him to play hockey for his local team. He continues to provide Saul with love, food, and encouragement, even after Saul has been away for years and returns to wrestle with his tumultuous past. Fred is an important character in Saul’s life, in part because, like Saul, Fred was a victim of sexual abuse at St. Jerome’s, and therefore has some idea of what Saul is going through.

Fred Kelly Quotes in Indian Horse

The Indian Horse quotes below are all either spoken by Fred Kelly or refer to Fred Kelly. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Family and Tradition Theme Icon
).
Chapter 52 Quotes

"Did they rape everyone?" I asked.
There was a long silence. In the distance I could hear the sounds of the mill and a train. I waited and they both looked at the floor.
"It doesn't have to be sexual to be rape, Saul," Martha said.
"When they invade your spirit, it's rape too," Fred said.

Related Characters: Saul Indian Horse (speaker), Fred Kelly (speaker), Martha Kelly (speaker)
Page Number: 210
Explanation and Analysis:

"They scooped out our insides, Saul. We're not responsible for that. We're not responsible for what happened to us. None of us are." Fred said. "But our healing-that's up to us. That's what saved me. Knowing it was my game."
"Could be a long game," I said.
"So what if it is?" he said. "Just keep your stick on the ice and your feet moving. Time will take care of itself."

Related Characters: Saul Indian Horse (speaker), Fred Kelly (speaker)
Related Symbols: Hockey
Page Number: 210
Explanation and Analysis:
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Fred Kelly Quotes in Indian Horse

The Indian Horse quotes below are all either spoken by Fred Kelly or refer to Fred Kelly. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Family and Tradition Theme Icon
).
Chapter 52 Quotes

"Did they rape everyone?" I asked.
There was a long silence. In the distance I could hear the sounds of the mill and a train. I waited and they both looked at the floor.
"It doesn't have to be sexual to be rape, Saul," Martha said.
"When they invade your spirit, it's rape too," Fred said.

Related Characters: Saul Indian Horse (speaker), Fred Kelly (speaker), Martha Kelly (speaker)
Page Number: 210
Explanation and Analysis:

"They scooped out our insides, Saul. We're not responsible for that. We're not responsible for what happened to us. None of us are." Fred said. "But our healing-that's up to us. That's what saved me. Knowing it was my game."
"Could be a long game," I said.
"So what if it is?" he said. "Just keep your stick on the ice and your feet moving. Time will take care of itself."

Related Characters: Saul Indian Horse (speaker), Fred Kelly (speaker)
Related Symbols: Hockey
Page Number: 210
Explanation and Analysis: