As suggested by the title of the novella, Norman Maclean writes of the relationship between the natural and the theological, or perhaps better stated as the relationship between the river and life; natural, supernatural and theological.
In "A River Runs Through It" Norman Maclean makes several points about the relationship between the theological and the natural. One of these is the theme that love as well as faith precedes all understanding. This is a classic theme of Christianity. Another theme that is prevalent in Christianity that Maclean uses as a thread throughout his novella is the doctrine of election. An oft debated and scrutinized teaching it turns out to be the truest for Maclean and the characters of "A River Runs Through It". Like Isaac, Jacob and Abel, Norman seems peculiarly chosen, and like his biblical counterparts Ishmael, Esau and Cain, Paul seems destined for infernal suffering.
Deep sea fishing from a boat in the Gulf of Mexico
Fly rod and reel with a brown trout from a chalk s...
English: Saltwater Fly Fishing Guide Alec Griffin ...Neither seem chosen for choices they have made or deeds they have done, but are predestined for their fates, in Norman's case a long a gracious life, and in Paul's an early and bleak death.
Norman, having grown up as a preacher's kid is surely familiar with the story of Job. Job recognizes his God as the God who both gives and takes away, and as Job attests, must be praised and blessed for both. While Norman hesitates (or refuses perhaps) to ascribe to this theory, he does point to earthy (natural) signs of Job's God that is both giver and taker. The most striking examples are the rivers of Norman's world; they are always described as cutting through mountains, hurrying ad rushing in parts, relaxing in eddies behind large rocks, sometimes venturing into dry channels to provide some sort of relief or nutrition to those forgotten areas, yet...