The relationships we form and share all have an aspect of discipline, but a sense of freedom and equilibrium is reached in places where harmony is present. This is visible through the representation of the 3 characters present in the picture, Paul (far left), Norman (middle), and their father Reverend Maclean (right). Both children are deep in the train of thought, lost in the impeccable freedom, and the harmony between them, that they rarely acquire from their father at home.

The scenery consists of the rapid moving shallow water that illustrates the free and volatile behavior that it brings. The placement of the characters brings an astounding symbolism with Paul being placed in the deep end of the water and also the furthest from the father. In contrast to the water’s resilient force, Paul’s personality can be compared. Paul is an individual who loves his freedom, being care-free, and free of any control and discipline. Being the furthest from the father represents of the freedom loving attitude that he brings, giving an insight on his hatred of the discipline the father enforces among them. This hatred forces repulsion in the relationship between the father and son leaving a longing for a substitute to overcome this pain.
The level of water that the three characters are submerged in is significant of the problems and hardships each of them faces. The expression, “being in deep waters”, is commonly heard signifying of the hardships and problems that one may face. Norman is shown to be standing above the water showing the innocent, obedient, and content with the life Norman is leading versus Paul being submerged knee deep. The problems and hardships that Paul may face are depicted in the visual of Paul drowning in them. These hardships that suppress Paul’s ability to reach success make him feel much less than Paul, resulting in a factor of jealousy in the relation of the two. This is often overcome where the two are artists, and are in love with fishing, and find the harmony to overcome the differences among them; at the river.

Another point of to be considered is the play of lighting that the three characters are shown under. Paul is casted out darker than his brother and father who are displayed in the bright light casted by nature: sunlight. They are displayed as almost in a sense of god like stature. This god like stature represents of the flawless personalities Norman and Reverend Maclean are shown to have where honesty, hard work, and discipline are valued most. The character differences between the brothers can be identified where Norman is shown as a character that carries an aspect of innocence to his personality and follows the ideals and values the father taught them. Therefore, the darker lighting signifies of Paul’s dark life that is led on by lies and jealousy that have held him back.
The imbalance between the characters creates an obedience vs freedom scenario where characters try to balance their lives and save themselves from the hardships they face under the discipline of the father. But all is forgotten when they unite in a place where they first remembered how to fish, like a child learns to walk, and where they can call themselves at home; at the river. The river creates the equilibrium in the relationship, taking away the imbalances and differences that the three long to overcome in the everyday life. Most individuals are influenced by a form of discipline that pushes them to overcome the imbalances they face and to improve the weaknesses that hold them back. However, this is all forgotten when individuals come together with loved ones in a place of harmony, where cherished memories resonate with them, and each person is an artist and the imbalances are equalized.