harmony from nature
The relationships we have carry an aspect of freedom and equality, but they come with discipline. When both are kept in balance harmony is found. In this photograph you can see that nature is a place of equilibrium where the three men can focus on fishing and be free from their life outside of nature. The way they have positioned themselves shows how each of them live their lives outside of this activity and the influences they have on each other. Although they are living different lives nature will always be a place to bring harmony back amongst them.
In the photograph Paul has been shown farthest away from the river bank and in the deepest water, which symbolizes his independent but dark life outside of the safety of nature. Paul’s distance from his father shows his rebellion against his father’s expectations because of his drive to fulfill his own desires. Pail is shown in deep water which symbolizes his addictions or problems and how deep into them he really is. His position being lower than Norman shows Paul’s lack of accomplishments. His life outside of nature shows that he isn’t very close to his father, yet during fly-fishing his is very close to them. Paul brings the aspect of freedom into their relationship with his sense of rebellion.
Norman is next in the photograph and he is shown in the middle, but you can see with the angle of the camera shot that he is closer to his father. This could symbolize him being obedient to his father’s expectations and ideals. Norman being somewhat in the middle shows that he still cares about Paul and has a strong relationship with him. Norman is also standing on a rock which shows his success having a high position. Norman’s position in the middle demonstrates the idea that harmony is achieved in a relationship with a balance of freedom and discipline. Paul representing freedom and his father Discipline. With those two aspects coming in they are all getting along with no problem in this photograph.
Closest to the camera is the father and he is in shallow water and in a more calm state than his sons. His sense of peace in the photograph symbolizes how much wisdom and patience he has. This could also show how disciplined he is because he is standing with his back straight with a sense of dignity. Reverend Mclean’s higher position shows his influence in the decisions that the other make. It also shows that he is the leader of the three men. Reverend Mclean brings the aspect of discipline into the relationship balancing the freedom.
Even though their relationships may not be as harmonious in their lives outside of nature they will always have this spot and activity to bring balance and equilibrium between them. No matter how different they are or how much they influence they have in each other this spot is a place where they can have peace among themselves.
