Quotes
Quote #1: "On the Big Blackfoot River above the mouth of Belmont Creek the banks are fringed by large Ponderosa pines." (Page 101).
When I read this quote by Norman Maclean on page 101 of A River Runs Through It, it made me visualize the setting of this book. His vivid description of the setting made me think of a river with water rushing down it, with large trees towering above it. The way Maclean described the setting is important because without such a unique and beautiful place where the story is told, it wouldn't be as significant. When Maclean tells of how fishing is a part of his life, it wouldn't be as interesting if it were some small creek out in the middle of nowhere. By Maclean explaining a famous and powerful river in Montana as vividly as he does, it made me feel like I was right there where the novel took place.
Quote #2: " 'Let's never get out of touch with each other.' And we never have, although her death has come between us." (pg. 77)
This quote is significant in explaining the relationship between Jessie and Norman. Although Jessie and Norman are both trying to help each of their brother's lives, they find strength in each other. Jessie and Norman both try to understand the situation the other is dealing with with their brother. Jessie and Norman have a deep relationship, which remained even after Jessie's death. They both knew the other loved them immensely, although sometimes they didn't blatantly show it.
Quote #3: "I also became the river by knowing how it was made." (pg 62).
Throughout the entire novel, Maclean uses the river as the most notable metaphor. Maclean refers to the river numerous times and I feel he uses it to symbolize life, as well as death. Regardless of what happens in the story, the river still remains flowing and life on the river remains. The river symbolizes that everything begins and ends at the same place, regardless of what else is going on in the world.
Quote #4: "In our family, there was no clear line between religion and fly-fishing." (pg. 1)
Maclean used this quote to start off A River Runs Through It, and by doing so, catches the readers attention. This quote shows that religion and fly-fishing both hold significant meaning to his family. While Norman's father is a reverand, he is also a devout fisherman and raises his boys to be the same. Maclean often compares fly-fishing to religion and vice versa. Maclean also tells of how his father told them about Christ's disciples being fiserhman, as well as using other comparisons. Fly-fishing and religion were very important to the Maclean family, and throughout the book, both aspects affected their lives and how they lived them.