A River Runs Through It
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Introduction |
Norman Maclean wrote this back in 1976, where it languished in the remainder racks until Robert Redford picked it up. It is a leisurely novel. Give it some time. |
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Sections |
This unit is divided into the following sections. |
Icarus and Daedelus
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Introduction |
In reading this novel, I get struck between the paralells between this book, Icarus, and the parable of the Prodigal son. |
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Questions |
Answer the following questions after reading the comparable story. |
A River Runs Through It: 1-24
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Introduction |
Where we get introduced to two little boys and their father. |
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Questions |
Answer the following questions fully. 1. Complete the quote. "In our family there was no clear line between__________________________________" Does this lower religion or elevate fishing? Explain. 2. What question does the father ask his boys on Sundays? What is the answer? While the author does not explicitly make this claim, how might their answer get connected to fishing? 3. How does fly-fishing support the father’s view of life? 4. What is the relationship between Grace, art and salvation? 5. What does his younger brother like to bet on? Why, do you suppose, he liked to bet? 6. What is the problem with west coast fishermen? 7. What is the favor? Why does the brother grant it? |
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A River Runs, Continued
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8. How was the Big Blackfoot made? What are the biblical echoes in it’s creation? 9. Why is the dialogue between the two fears a bad thing? Do you suppose that happens to his brother? 10. How does his brother react to the catch? What might the hat move mean, if it isn’t out or respect? 11. What is the purpose of "shadow-casting" Why is that "rhythm" significant? |
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Thought |
What details have we recieved that let you in on Paul being ike Icarus? |
A River Meanders Through It; 24-55
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Introduction |
More on Paul... |
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Questions |
Answer the following questions 1. Why is Paul in jail? Who is there with him? Why is she appropriate for Paul?
Why would MacLean include those details about Custer? 2. What must happen in Hot Springs? 3. Who are Black Irish or Black Scots? Why won’t the men speak of them? Why will the women? 4. How is Paul different from all of these "blackuncles"? 5. What does Neil’s suitcase signify? 6. What is "Black Jack’s" like? 7. Norman writes very ill of rawhide and the like. What nasty things does he write? At the same time, he praises them? How? 8. How has Neal done wrong? How has he "sinned"? |
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A River Meanders, Continued
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9. What is the hard thing to leave behind? How does it interfere with fishing? 10. Why will fish hangout under the osiers (bushes)? Why won’t Norman fish there? How does that symbolize their relationship? 11. How did Norman lose his line? The author does not make this explicit, but why was he cating into the woods? 12. According to Paul, why should they help Neal? 13. Why is the wife so upset? What could be the deeper reason? |
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Thought |
Norman seems to be setting up a disturbing theme; that to be excellent at something, you need to be self-destructive. What are his examples of self-destructive excellance? |
A River Strolls Through It: 55-76
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Introduction |
More about Neal and the women in his life. |
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Questions |
Answer the following questions. 1. Why might Paul have all these details about the woman he is now seeing? Why doesn’t he speak directly? 2. Why might Neal come to the lake? What will the problem be with Paul? 3. Why, do you think, that Old Rawhide should not be there? 4. Why does Paul think he should go to the coast? Why, do you suppose, he won’t? 5. What is the "curiosity theory"? 6. Why is the dead beaver a good sight for the fisherman? 7. What happens to Norman during the heat? How does that relate to the religion theme? 8. Who drank the beer? Why is this such a sin? 9. Knowing all this, why is it relevant that Neal and Rawhide burned? 10. Why is the coffee can significant? |
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Thought |
Maclean goes out of his way to link fishing and religion. How does he do that in this section? |
A River Runs Through It; 75-100
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Introdu ction |
Neal slips into the past, and Jessie comes to the present. |
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Question |
Answer the following questions completely. 1. Why is the Neal untouchable? Why do the women blame the Norman and Paul? Why not tell them the complete truth? How is that both a moment of affection and of weakness? 2. Why is he feeling lordly with love? 3. How is Paul like Neal? How are they very unlike? 4. How does the father define help? Why can’t they give it? 5. Geologically, what is interesting about the place where they fish? 6. What makes the day so perfect? Why will his fly work? 7. Can Paul accept help? Can Norman? Can the father? |
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River runs, Continued
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11. In the last two paragraphs, Maclean writes "some of the words are theirs" Whose? How is he haunted? |
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Thought |
What does the river stand for? |
Thing to Think About
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Introduction |
"A River Runs Through It" is very light book that focuses on flyfishing as a metaphor. |
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Questions |
These are questions to think of at the end of this novel. • The river is a metaphor. What does it stand for? How does fishing fit into this? • Early on in the novel, Maclean writes that "Man was a damned mess." However, fishing offers him salvation. How? At the end of this novel, with Paul dead, does the author prove this thinking true or false? • Does Maclean beleive that you should ask for help or not? Were you to write a letter to Paul, what might you say? • The movie makes something of Norman leaving Montana while Paul doesn’t. Should Paul have left? Would it hve made him a worse golfer? Might it have saved his life? |
A River Runs Through It: Exam
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Introduction |
The following exam is designed to make you think. Do it honor and think your way through it. |
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Character Matching |
Match the character on the left to the characteristics on the right. c__Paul a. A minister b__Norman b. A teacher f__ Jessie c. A reporter g__ Neal d. tells Paul about Black Irish h__ Old Rawhide e. Mother-in-law e__ Florence f. Wife d__ Desk Sargent g. Brother-in-law a__ Father h. Bareback rider |
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Objects |
Identify the following objects. Pick 10. 1. "3-7-77" 2. A suitcase with the initials "F.M." 3. The Big Blackfoot 4. Four bottles of beer 5. A right hand with all the bones broken 6. Bunyun bug #2 yellow stone fly 7. Chokecherry jelly 8. Sunburn 9. Hills Brothers Coffee Can 10. Oatmeal 11. Shadow Casting 12. Hot Springs |
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A River Runs Through It, Continued
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Quotes |
Answer ten of the following quotes. Some lines may not have been said aloud. Who said it and why is it important? 1. "Can I help you with money or anything?" 2. "Do you think I could have helped him" 3. "Don’t leave my brother." 4. "He is beautiful" 5. "He’s not hurt. He’s just sick. He drinks too much." 6. "Help is giving part of yourself to somebdoy who comes to accept it willingly and who needs it badly." 7. "I am haunted by waters." 8. "Let’s go in and hoist one." 9. "No, it wasn’t you. I just slipped and fell." 10. "Someday Neal is going to find out about himself and he won’t come back to Montana. he doesn’t like Montana." 11. "Wahoo" 12. "What is the chief end of man?" 13. "Woman, can’t I love you without liking him." |
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Wierd Section |
Write a letter to Norman to help him on the day after his brother’s death. |