A River Runs Through It guide.

Philosophy 250: Philosophy Through Film

Movie Guide:  A River Runs Through It

Based on the novel by Norman Maclean (1976)

Main Characters to watch:

Norman Maclean, Paul Maclean (MacLean), Jesse Burns, The Rev. John Maclean, Neil Burns

The central metaphor (Greek-“to carry meaning”) of the film is fly –fishing, therefore pay particular attention to those scenes as they carry the meaning of God’s supposed creation as represented in St. Thomas Aquinas’ Fourth Way.

Make sure you are very well acquainted with The Fourth Way by St. Aquinas while watching the film. Below you will find an excellent representation from Dr. Ted Gracyk:

The Fourth Way: Argument from Gradation of Being

1. There is a gradation to be found in things: some are better or worse than others.
2. Predications of degree require reference to the “uttermost” case (e.g., a thing is said to be hotter according as it more nearly resembles that which is hottest).
3. The maximum in any genus is the cause of all in that genus.
4. Therefore there must also be something which is to all beings the cause of their being, goodness, and every other perfection; and this we call God.

 

Norman Maclean was a devoted Aristotelian, therefore all of his works of fiction (poetry in the Greek sense) have a philosophical point delivered with intention and accuracy.  Maclean explores other philosophical areas like loss and some ethical issues, but the central point of this film is to wonder about creation and God’s hand in it; raising the question: Does God exist?  Not to make the case that Maclean believed or not, he asks a significant philosophical question and offers an answer based on a classical text that finds a home in Aristotle by way of Aquinas.

We will discuss the following questions, so have your answers prepared with two copies, one for you and one for me (word processed and printed, graded) before class on September 12.

What does Maclean mean by the statement: “There was no clear line between fly-fishing and religion in our family.”?

Why use a metronome to instruct the boys in beauty and perfection?

What skill is brought forth in perfection in each boy (Paul and Norman)?

In what ways do humans come up short of perfection?

Do we attain perfection, or do we attain a glimpse of perfection? Why?

Contrast Neil Burns and Paul Maclean in terms of light/dark, perfection/failure, authenticity/inauthenticity.  (Don’t be afraid to look these words up)

Why does Maclean make Paul “suspended” and “Free from all natural laws” at his moment of perfection?

What is the relationship between grace, art, and God?

Read the first 18 verses from the First chapter of the Gospel of John (Holy Bible).  Use these verses to make sense of the final words from the movie.  (I expect this answer to be very rich).

Does the act of fly-fishing accurately relate the Fourth Way from Aquinas? Why or why not? (another rich answer).

When it comes to fishing, Paul is creative and does not like sticking to tradition, instead he makes his own form on how to fly-fish.   Norman follows his father’s form and the “proper” way to fly fish.  Can both see God in creation, or is it only open to Norman? Why or why not?

Will someone like Neil ever see God through the Fourth Way? Why?

Bonus question: Why is the rot-gut whisky labeled 3-7-77?