Character Analysis: A River Runs Through It

Being a part of the Common Read Experience had been rather hectic and interesting. From reading the novella, A River Runs Through It, to sitting through the film, I have realized that a person can almost always take bits and pieces of a movie or book and relate it back into his or her life. I also learned through the Common Read Activities that proper communication is important in running a smooth “experience”. Not being an English major nor having read many books in English courses, annotating and critically reading the novella, A River Runs Through It by Norman Maclean, presented me with a deeper insight into the hidden meanings within stories. Quickly I am introduced to the main characters: Norman, the eldest; Paul, the youngest brother; and their father, a Presbyterian minister. The main
The roles are reversed, however. My sister is like Paul in the way that she did not go to college and has struggled with personal issues, comparable to Paul’s love of fighting, gambling and drinking. I, on the other hand, can relate to Norman because, even though I am the youngest, I started working at a young age and went off to college. Furthermore, the reoccurring theme in A River Runs Through It is that Norman wants to say something to Paul about his bad life decisions, but cannot find the right way to say it to him while still showing his brother love and respect. The first time I saw this was when the brothers went fishing after Paul got in an altercation with a man who whistled at his girl. Norman wanted to say something to Paul about the damages he caused, along with his drinking problem, but refrained. The next time I see this theme is after Paul, Norman, and Norman’s brother in law go fishing and Norman’s brother-in-law gets sunburned. Upon their arrival back from fishing, Paul defends his brother’s actions and Norman wishes he could help Paul as much as Paul had just helped