Fly Fishing Norman Essay

Norman MacLean’s reflection on character reverts his entire conception of order and success. In meditating, he ponders the idea of Paul having a stronger character and being more independent than him. These thoughts are shaped largely by the meaningful context that Norman is experiencing. MacLean journeys to these thoughts during his last fishing trip with his brother, the trip that is supposed to be about Norman receiving help, rather than giving it. This inversion of roles, along with a deep reflection on Paul’s utter lack of desire for external help, demonstrate an extensive shift in Norman’s thinking. MacLean’s pensive view of his brother Paul suggests that help, meaning, and hope are most valuable when they come from within, and that Paul
Norman is accustomed to Paul not asking for help, but rather than simply stating that fact, he uses metaphor. “He never looked for any flies from me” (90). In the MacLean brothers’ world, fly fishing is religion, life, and paramount. Therefore, Norman uses a fly fishing metaphor to implicate that Paul never asks for any help from Norman, a constant theme throughout the novel. While Norman mulls over his “sometimes knot-headed” (90) brother’s choice to avoid help, he initially does not understand and believes it will only hurt him. He cites the Greeks, who said, “not wanting any help might even get you killed” (90). Though MacLean originally agrees with this, he realizes that Paul is an accomplished fly fisherman and a fairly successful reporter. Norman says, “I suddenly remembered that my brother was almost always a winner and often because he didn’t borrow flies” (90). When he thinks further about his brother, Norman realizes that Paul is in fact talented, accomplished, and a beautiful artist. He may not need help from Norman at all. MacLean also suggests that Paul may have succeeded in these areas because he never asked for help. His solidarity, perseverance, and independence help him to become “a winner”