The Prodigal Son Parable and Macleans A River

“The Prodigal Son Parable and Maclean’s A River Runs Through It” By Patrick K. Dooley

Patrick K. Dooley, Ph. D. � Professor of Philosophy at St. Bonaventure University in New York � Received B. A. at St. Paul Seminary � Received M. A. and Ph. D at the University of Notre Dame

Works Cited and Notes � Read and Cited A River Runs Through It � “Some of the words are theirs: The Elusive Logos in A River Runs Through It” by Mark Browning � “Fishing for the Words of Life: Norman Maclean's 'A River Runs through It’” by Walter Hesford � “'Our Father's Art': The Lost Paradise of Norman Maclean” by Diana Culbertson

Renascence: Essays on Values in Literature � Published by Marquette University as a Christian witness to literature from promoting the study of values in literature. � Focus of the Journal is Christian thought and values. Each issue includes essays, which incorporate Christian perspectives as a way of looking at literature.

Quotes “Early on, Paul’s exceptional ability as a fly fisherman allowed him to break clear of his father’s rote and regimented mode of casting. Instead of using the Reverend’s simple four-count rhythm, Paul’s unique shadow casting involved a complex, double pattern. ” — — “The parable ends with the father neither apologizing for looking past the younger son’s misdeeds nor defending his own generosity. He simply reiterates, “We had to celebrate” (LK. 15: 32)”

Quotes “I argue that the ‘brother’s keeper’ provides the story’s dominant motif, and unmistakable parallels between the biblical parable of a father and his two sons and the bitter-sweet memoir of life in Montana during the 1920’s enrich our appreciation of Maclean’s artful storytelling” …but, “Beyond a poignant tale of a careless but harming brother who needed to be helped, Maclean’s novella also offers striking commentary on another important theological matter, the mystery of divine grace. ”

Quotes “Accordingly, I suggest that among the lasting contributions of Norman Maclean’s magical A River Runs Through It will be provided generations of biblically attuned and theologically alert readers an occasion to meditate upon the mystery of grace and an invitation to contemplate the wonder of God’s favor. ”

“One wants to ask both fathers, of the prodigal son and of Paul Maclean, “why didn’t you intervene when you knew what was going to happen” r o r s “Actually all the Macleans, even Paul himself, realizes the tragic endpoint of his downward and deadly spiral”

In Closing… This article is relevant to our class because it presents unique and intriguing interpretation of the text that enhances our understanding and stimulates our own interpretation of the story.

Our Works Cited Maclean, Norman. A River Runs Through It. Chicago: U of Chicago P, 1976. Print. Dooley, Patrick K. "The prodigal son parable and Maclean's A River Runs through It. " Renascence: Essays on Values in Literature 58. 2 (2005): 165+. General One. File. Web. 6 Apr. 2010.