Essay Questions

Why is it significant that Paul has become an artist as a fly fisherman?

Norman has returned to Montana after six years away at Dartmouth studying. He and his younger brother Paul take a trip onto the Blackfoot River upon his return in order to go fly fishing together, a sport taught to them by their father and something they've done their entire lives. Norman takes a while to get back into the groove of it, he's lost a bit of his touch and the Paul splits up from Norman in order to not impose a "do it this way" approach to his brother who is struggling. Norman finds his way with the fishing rod, and eventually makes his way to see his brother who doesn't notice him. Paul has developed a technique called shadow casting to lure the fish out of the water. In their separation, Paul has become an artists fly fisherman and this is significant because he has become great at something. He has give his heart to it, and artistry only comes when a person is at peace. Thus it is significant to see this peace and artistry in Paul because it is in stark contrast to his life which is tormented by debt, and is eventually robbed from him when he is beaten to death. We get to see the preciousness, the gift that was lost when he died.

Why does Neal come back to his parents home with a horrible sun burn?

Jessie has asked Norman to take her brother, Neal fly fishing with him as he's in from California. She wants them to bond. However, when Neal arrives for fishing, he is still drunk from the night before and with a woman that he just met at a bar. Norman and Paul don't like him so they don't try to convince him to join them in the river, instead they let him have his fun on the river bank and eventually Neal is nude and so drunk that he passes out in the sun. The Maclean brothers don't attempt to wake him up, but give him a bit of retribution by leaving him to bake in the sun.

What is the significance of Paul rejecting Norman's offer to live in Chicago with him and Jessie?

Norman has been offered a teaching position at the University of Chicago and he is going to marry Jessie, and they will be moving there. He asks Paul to come with them and get far away from Montana, in essence to get far away from the debt he owes to very bad men. Paul has turned away from his brother after being pleased that today is a very good day once he's heard Norman will marry Jessie and move to Chicago. Paul's turning away symbolizes his knowing that he is losing a deep connection to someone who loves him dearly in Norman. And, he also knows that he is under a mountain of debt and he sees no way out, and running will not help. It is significant as though Paul somehow knows his fate is sealed, that any dreams he may have had as a child of seeing the world are no longer a possibility. He has dug a deep grave that he does not believe he can get out of, and this is the major reason that he rejects his brother's invitation.