A_River_Runs_Through_It

A River Runs Through It Norman Mclean’s A River Runs Through It explores many feelings and experiences of one “turn of the century” family in Missoula, Montana. In both the movie, directed by Robert Redford, and the original work of fiction we follow the Mcleans through their joys and sorrows. However, the names of the characters and places are not purely coincidental. These are the same people and places known by Norman Mclean as he was growing up. In a sense, A River Runs Through It is Mclean’s autobiography. Although these autobiographical influences are quite evident throughout the course of the story they have deeper roots in the later life of the author as he copes with his life’s hardships. The characters in the movie and book are taken straight from Mclean’s life. From the hard working, soft centered, minister father, to the drunken, “down on his luck”, brother-in-law, Neil. The character of Paul appears the be the most true to life member of Norman’s family. The audience quickly becomes familiar with Paul and his quick-tempered, always ready for anything attitude. This is evident in the beginning of the story with Paul’s frequent phrase “...with a bet on the to make things interesting (Mclean 6).” norman, paul, mclean, life, river, real, through, runs, one, movie, mclean’s, book, time, story, paul’s, line, fly, death, count, able, sorrow, over, order, norman’s, fighting, family, evident, died, brother, both, years, water, versions, two, ten, taken, stories, shadow, redford, own, montana, leader, joys, jessie, home, feelings, father, eastman, chicago, casting, between