Essay on "A river runs through it" Goals: To introduce students to relationships between personal values (often obtained through family and religion) and natural landscapes; and to develop skills in interpreting values and meanings associated with natu

1. Difficulties of family love overcome by shared moments on the river

a. Maintenance of primary roles

b. Role reversals (often during rituals or leisure fosters sympathy toward one another)

c. Love often expressed through shared moments

d. Love does not require understanding

2. Masculinity linked to outdoor skills and environments

3. Family values created and or affirmed while fishing

4. Fishing and worship have overlapping characteristics

a. Generally, what does religion provide?

i. Peace, hope, understanding, love, beauty

ii. Relieves uncertainty

iii. Provides feelings of wholeness, authenticity

iv. Posits a world different than the material

v. Fosters community and belonging

b. Dimensions of ritual

i. Detailed method

ii. Shared meaning

iii. Honor ascribed to something

iv. Intense focus

v. Rhythms

vi. Art form

vii. Spiritual (as well as material)

viii. Potential for violations

ix. Eagerness