FAMILY: A dominant theme in A River Runs Through It is family: both family relationships and responsibilities.
o Relationships: Because the novel focuses on character- development rather than plot-development, much attention is given to the relationships Maclean has with each of his family members. He captures the fluidity and fragility of family relationships as he portrays his with his wife, his brother-in-law, his parents, and especially, his brother Paul. Maclean explores the fears, concerns, and faults encountered in family relationships.

o Responsibility: As the events of the novel unfold, Maclean develops the question of what one’s responsibility is to his/her family. Maclean’s wife sends her brother (Neal) with Norman and Paul on a fishing trip, in the hopes that they will be able to cure Neal of his foolish and failing nature. As Neal quickly ruins the fishing trip with a series of poor choices (including drinking and immorality), the Maclean brothers raise the question of family responsibility: Is a person responsible for helping his/her family members? Even if help is unsolicited? What if no help is possible? As Paul’s drinking and gambling addictions are unfolded, these questions of responsibility are further explored. Maclean and his parents make attempts to help Paul, but ultimately are unable to.