A River Runs Through It Sparknotes

In the book A River Runs through It, the question of the true meaning of life and the purpose of everything around the Macleans exists masked through the metaphor of the Blackfoot river and the “it” that flows through it. The Blackfoot river symbolizes life’s journey and the ups and downs of the Maclean family during their time on earth, whereas "it" represents the beginning and end of their life, tying them together with pristine grace and eventually flowing through them all. The Big Blackfoot river is more than just a body of water or a great place to fish. It is a powerful symbol of life's journey, and the lessons Norman and his family learn all stem from it. The Blackfoot River is depicted as a wild and unpredictable force of nature with

The river gave and took from the Macleans, highlighting how the river connects the characters emotionally and spiritually, providing inspiration and comfort. As Norman’s father reflects on his relationship with his son Paul, he notes, “We can love completely without complete understanding” (Maclean 117). This quote shows how the river is a powerful metaphor for the depth and complexity of human relationships. This shows how the river constantly connects to people Norman and Paul never met but somehow felt connected to all that has something to do with the river. This helps uncover the mask of the river and how the weird spiritual connections flow from a higher power and keep the world flowing. The river, “As always, was making sounds to itself, and now it made sounds to us”(Maclean 116). These weird voices and words the book talks about numerous times are the sound of ties and the river connecting more and more to the Macleans. While the death of Paul was saddening, the Macleans know that he will constantly be flowing vicariously through them, protecting and guiding them until they meet again, helping connect the “it” within