One of the reoccurring themes in the novel ‘Keeper’n’me’ by Robert Wagamese is balance. Throughout the novel, Indians continually attempt to balance there life. There are a few different aspects that must be balanced: The reserve against the outside world, traditions against modernity, and Indian against White. The action of ‘stealing horses’, greatly highlights this theme.

‘Stealing Horses’ is not meant to be taking literally but figuratively. The expression doesn’t mean to actually steal a horse, but as Jackie’s older brother Stanley puts it : “ Diff’rent kinda horses. Education, technology, business, politics, communication, employment an’ health care.”(95). Jackie believes these ‘horses’ will make Indian circles stronger. This is where the ‘stealing horses’, greatly highlights the theme of balance. ‘Stealing horses’ is like adding to one side of the balance. The ‘thief’ of the horses must compensate the other side of the scale to gain equilibrium in their life. Otherwise, life will be much more difficult. Like Keeper describes it “Kinda like carrying a load that is too big’n’akward for you. Make you walk all funny underneath it, ma

ybe fall, hurt yourself. But you take time find a balance, that load’s easier to travel with. See?”(128). By not finding a balance you are susceptible to a downfall. For example, Bert, the community development officer, purchased a short-wave radio and put it in the community hall. The radio became very popular, and the people adjusted and balance their life to it. However, the radio was trashed one night and it quickly caused a chain reaction of crankiness throughout the town. The boys who wanted to watch hockey were cranky with their family, who were in turn cranky to their friends, and it spread throughout the town. The ‘horse’ that they accustomed to (radio), was destroyed, and another imbalance was caused. So, they had to find a balance. This came with Wally Red Sky’s ‘White Dog One Radio Network’ which was created soon after the short wave radio was destroyed. Since White Dog has never had a radio, everything was quite excited about the idea. However, once the radio was unveiled, everyone was disappointed. Instead of hockey games, music, and bingo, they have Wally Red Sky playing his favorite renditions of corny westerns. Again, this caused a disturbance among the circle, and balance was needed again. Fort

Some topics in this essay:
Jackie’s Stanley, Red Sky, Garnet Raven, Learned Indian, Indian White, Robert Wagamese, Garnet’s Stanley, Parallels Keepers, Reserve Modernity, White Dog, ‘stealing horses’, outside world, life garnet, wally red, balance life, idea ‘stealing horses’, dog radio, reserve outside, garnet found, throughout town, keeper describes, greatly highlights theme, wally red sky, reserve outside world, life garnet found,