Norman is consistently treated as the older, more serious, sensible, and cautious brother throughout the book. He also has a more professional career in academia than Paul’s career in newspapers. Norman will necessarily be known by his full name in his work as a professor and will eventually become Dr. McLean once he returns to university to complete his education. Paul, on the other hand, has a career that is portrayed as more exciting, and he is generally treated as a popular, “good ole boy” by most of the male characters in the book. He never takes life too seriously, and in some cases, it seems like he has never really grown up.

During their ride on the rapids, which, in reality, is quite dangerous, Paul pushes his brother to undertake the canoe ride. The brothers argue over the situation, and it works to showcase the contrast between the brothers. Once again, Norman is the cautious older brother, mirroring their father’s moral, sensible behavior as a Presbyterian minister. Paul, on the other hand, is as wild as the Montana land he so loves. He rebels against the principles of what it means to be an upstanding, “proper” citizen in his small, religious community while also embodying the spirit of the adventurous behavior often associated with the “Wild West.”