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River Runs Through It Figurative Language

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In the novel A River Runs Through It, the author Norman Mclean is faced with the difficulty of helping someone who does not want to get help. Mclean writes about trying to help his brother through the struggles of gambling, addiction, and fighting. Because he doesn’t know how to help or what is required to help, Norman finds it difficult to help his brother with his problems. Mclean employs figurative language to highlight the bond between him and his brother while also presenting the theme. Figurative language is used to convey how challenging it is to provide support. Regardless of one’s dedication, it is hard to help someone that does not want to be helped. As a result, Maclean is demonstrating the difficulty of assisting others when an …show more content…

They used fly fishing as a time to bond. While Paul is flyfishing he is calm, which leaves Norman to believe there is nothing wrong with him. As a result, Norman does not believe Paul needs any help. “The spray emanating from him was finer-grained still and enclosed him in a halo of himself.” (20). This is figurative language because Paul did not have an actual halo above his head. Norman develops a heavenly image of Paul to emphasize the fact that he does not require help or support. Mclean demonstrates how Paul is seen to be flaw less and not struggling. Norman is merely finding reasons not to help his …show more content…

Norman's idea of assisting his brother was to give him money, which further exacerbated the situation. Paul refused the money Norman offered him because he doesn't wish for help, and he doesn't want to admit that he needs it. “He acted as if his father had offered to help to a bowl of oatmeal.” (45). This is a symbol of figurative language because his father isn’t physically offering Paul porridge on the river. Mclean chose oatmeal because when Paul was a boy, his father would feed him oatmeal, but Paul despised it and refused it. As a result, Norman attempted to offer Paul money, but Paul refused. Paul rejects his brothers help because he believes his brothers ego will get the best of him. Paul is humiliated that he requires help, but he refuses to accept

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