Paul Maclean's 'A River Runs Through It'

A River Runs through It (study questions)
1. Paul and Norman are similar yet different at the same time. For instance Paul and Norman are both dare devils yet Paul seems to be the instigator. For example when they were on the river everyone else was chickening out Paul never backed down and ended getting his brother to go with him. Paul hardly hesitates when it comes to risks unlike Norman who seems to think it over a bit more before accepting and going through with it. They both also enjoy fly fishing. Paul is creative and does not like sticking to tradition instead he makes his own form on how to fly fish. Norman follows his father’s form and the “proper” way to fly fish.
2. A. Paul Maclean’s life is similar to the Greek mythology Icarus and the story of the Prodigal Son. To start Paul life somewhat relates to the story of Icarus because Icarus tried to escape by flying out of Crete even though everyone told him not to because if he got too close to the sun he would crash, which eventually occurred and he fell to his death. Paul did somewhat the same thing but instead of flying his was gambling and drinking. Paul had a gambling problem as well as a drinking problem and
The environment the boys grew up affects them in different ways. Growing up the boys were taught how to properly fly fish and how one must respect the art behind fly fishing before one can catch a fish. Fly fishing is very important to them because it is an escape from reality. The river is one place where they can all be family and something they all love. Paul loves the river and fly fishing because it gets him away from the world and helps him see the simple things in life. for Norman it is the one thing he that reminds him of Montana and his family. The environment of growing up under a priest helped Norman get a better education but for Paul it made him seek more of a defiant man. They grew up in a tough era, shown by how both the boys love fighting and