A Prayer For Owen Meany Character Analysis

John’s troubled soul was fueled by hatred towards Owen’s control for his destiny, the kind of control that John never has in his own life. The events leading up to the Vietnam War and beyond were out of his authority, however, as destiny has it; it is inescapably going to happen. The war itself indirectly took the life of John’s best friend and John always felt helpless and responsible thinking that somehow he should have taken some kind of control in order to change occurrences. Due to Owen Meany’s belief that he is an instrument of God and that God has set a task for him to complete, Owen does his best to fulfill each part of his destiny. John does not understand why Owen bothered, John himself having so little faith and acceptance in destiny and fate. Owen has control over which path in life he should take, he could follow God’s orders, or he could ignore his calling and not do as his fate would have to save the little Vietnamese children. John’s feeling of helplessness in the fate that has befallen Owen makes him feel responsible and angry because he thinks he could have tried to persuade Owen to avoid his destiny. Moreover, John is angry by Owen’s faith in God and his acceptance of his destiny by living his life accordingly rather than avoiding it, the control that John never

Several themes are portrayed within the pages of A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving; nevertheless, symbolism is a more prominent theme that moves the story along. In the novel, Owen Meany infatuated himself with armless figures all his life from Tabby’s dressmaker, to the armadillo, and finally, Mary Magdalene. Readers cannot help but to try to correlate all these images into a bigger picture.

Owen Meany acted as John’s moral and spiritual lodestar: he had faith when John did not, helped John form opinions when he didn’t believe he could. John feels lost without Owen to guide him through the

In the novel, A Prayer For Owen Meany, Written by John Irving is covered with literary devices. Every scene written has a purpose. His most common literary elements include foreshadowing, symbolism and Irony. From the armadillo to the wedding all these literary devices help the novel piece together, creating the book that it is. The following instrument, foreshadowing, symbolism and Irony help us better understand on how Owen Meany is truly a God’s Instrument.

There are numerous themes and motifs present in the novel, but in the following section, only three primary themes will be stated this includes: Faith, Friendship, and Fate. One of the most recurring themes throughout the novel is Faith in God. From the opening lines of the novel “he is the reason I believe in God; I am a Christian because of Owen Meany” (Page 3), to the last sentence of the novel “O God-please give him back! I shall keep asking You.(Page 627)”. It is evident that faith has influenced this novel in every possible way. Owen is the character in whom this theme is clearly evident since he believes in the idea of there being a reason and explanation for everything. The second vital theme

Put simply, the miraculousness of Owen Meany catalyzes Johnny’s faith. Yet, Johnny’s faith did not spring forth the moment he met Owen; instead, Owen’s life, sprouting with miracles, gradually inspired Johnny to accept and pursue a life of faith. Therefore, his true faith was born out of the miracle of Owen. After the Christmas pageant in which Johnny starred as Joseph and Owen as baby Jesus, Johnny mentions that “that Sunday…contributed to my belief in—and my dislike of—the miracle” (231). Here, Johnny’s reference to “the miracle” alludes to Owen Meany. Nonetheless, the miracle in this instance contradicts the heartwarming, wondrous thoughts that may first float through one’s mind at the mention of a “miracle.” This miracle, Owen’s role as baby Jesus, astounds Johnny because of Owen’s ability to take charge and the changes and revisions that Owen brings about to an established faith tradition. In reaction, some despised Owen’s rude outburst to his parents and slight alterations to the traditional Christmas story, but some appreciated the modifications. Similarly, when Jesus preached new teachings and introduced revisions to ancient traditions, many attacked him and proclaimed his teachings heresies. Therefore, both Owen and Jesus experience hindrances in their lifestyles that differ from the norm; although, both manage to persevere in leading others in their missions as God’s instruments on the Earth. Another miracle occurred much later in Johnny’s life, after Owen’s death, when Dan Needham shuts Johnny into an unlit cellar as a joke. Unfortunately, Johnny loses his balance at the edge of the stairs, and he begins to fall backwards. Just before he topples over, Johnny feels a small hand guide his own hand to the light switch while pulling his body forward to retain his balance; meanwhile, a voice,

In his novel A Prayer for Owen Meany, author John Irving uses a final chapter of over 100 pages to provide appropriate closure of his intricate novel. In the final chapter, Irving provides answers to large questions the rest of the novel raises. Irving answers the question “who is John Wheelwright’s father?” while also providing further information and closure, as well as the answer to “why the practicing of ‘the shot’ was so important for Owen and John.” Finally, Irving is most thorough in carrying out the closure of a main theme in the novel, Owen’s prophecy of his own exact death, how it happens, when it happens, and most importantly with whom it happens.

Following John’s mother’s death, the boys exchange their beloved belongings. After Owen returned the armadillo, John became outraged that the animal no longer had its “front claws--the most useful and impressive parts of its curious body” (88). This vulnerable animal represents the helpless state of John and Owen’s lives as a result of her death. The Headmaster of Gravesend Academy, Randy White, expels Owen after he catches Owen selling fake draft cards. Owen removes “Mary Magdalene’s arms, above the elbow, so that her gesture of beseeching the assembled audience would seem all the more an act of supplication--and all the more helpless”(409). Owen decides to cut off the arms of the statue to illustrate his powerlessness to alter his expulsion. After the grenade explodes, Owen sustains fatal injuries. John describes Owen’s arms as “severed just below his elbows, perhaps three quarters of the way up his forearms” (625). Owen’s final destiny ends in his heroic death. In Owen’s last moments, he realizes the fulfillment of God’s path for

In the book A Prayer For Owen Meany, the author’s purpose may have been about finding one’s personal faith. Both boys represent an aspect of faith, Owen with his strong belief in God, and John, who questions both God and himself. While the years go by, the boys have adventures and face obstacles as they grow up. When John grows up and copes with the incidents of the past, he realizes that he has become a more religious man, thanks to Owen Meany. “I am doomed to remember a boy with a wrecked voice- not because of his voice, or because he was the smallest person I ever knew, or even because he was the instrument of my mother’s death, but because he is the reason I believe in God... ”. Along with the coming of age theme, the novel asks a philosophical and deep question that revolves around religion. It enables the reader to think about their own religious belief. A Prayer For Owen Meany would appeal mostly to the adolescents and adults who like to delve more into sophisticated thinking. The passage may also appeal to those interested in suspense, sorrow, and humor of growing up and trying to find your purpose.

There are few people in this world who are willing to sacrifice their life for someone else's. The sacrifice of life is the single largest sacrifice one can make and it takes more bravery and compassion than any other act. Even so, in John Irving’s A Prayer for Owen Meany, Owen is more than willing to do just that. Although he makes many sacrifices, his biggest sacrifice is his own life. In the beginning of the novel, Owen comes across as slightly different with his minuscule size and high pitched voice, but as the novel progresses and Owen ages, his inhuman qualities become more and more prevalent. Eventually, Owen Meany’s supernatural qualities combine with his selflessness and people begin to view him as more than just a compelling

John Wheelwright’s and Owen Meany’s differing attributes highlight the use of contrast within A Prayer for Owen Meany. While Owen Meany tends to be a leader, John is a follower where his primary experiences tend to be due to Owen. Furthermore, their different appearances further illustrate their differences- while John is a typical male, Owen appears childlike in stature with a “rodent” quality to his appearance. Consequently, these comparisons between the two characters highlight the underlying theme of spirituality within the novel. Owen Meany has a continuing belief in God, even taking it as far as saying that God has a specific plan for him. “GOD HAS TAKEN YOUR MOTHER. MY HANDS WERE THE INSTRUMENT. GOD HAS TAKEN MY HANDS. I AM GOD’S INSTRUMENT (page 90)” This quote illustrates the absolute belief that Owen has in God; despite the fact that Owen has taken the life from Tabitha Wheelwright, -----, he chalks it up to fate and God’s will. However, John Wheelwright doubts the ideologies of Christianity as he changes his denomination within the Christian community regularly. This contrast is displayed when the two boys are young sitting in church: “When I complained about church, I complained about

     In the beginning of the novel, immediately there is a clear difference between Owen and Johnny. There is the field of academics; Owen is the head of his class while he helps John not to fail in his studies. There is Owen, very sure of his belief system and Johnny, very doubtful and unsure about his beliefs or feelings towards’ god.

Owen Meany was predestined to be a savior for the Vietnamese children and he had been preparing for this sacrifice his entire life. From the time he was born, Owen was always special. His parents admitted that he was unnatural when Mr. Meany exclaimed, “‘She just conceived a child—like the Christ Child.’” (Irving 545). This shows that Owen’s parents did not purposefully conceive him, but he was born for a greater purpose. Later on in Owen’s life, he has a vision of his grave and how he will die, which leads him to prepare for his death. He saw his death so vividly, he knew Johnny would be present, therefore he involves Johnny in his practice. Johnny explains, “We practiced the shot for three or four days in a row; of course, my part in this exercise was extremely limited, but I

John Wheelwright’s and Owen Meany’s differing attributes highlight the use of contrast within A Prayer for Owen Meany. While Owen Meany tends to be a leader, John is a follower where his primary experiences tend to be due to Owen. Furthermore, their different appearances further illustrate their differences- while John is a typical male, Owen appears childlike in stature with a “rodent” quality to his appearance. Consequently, these comparisons between the two characters highlight the underlying theme of spirituality within the novel. Owen Meany has a continuing belief in God, even taking it as far as saying that God has a specific plan for him. “GOD HAS TAKEN YOUR MOTHER. MY HANDS WERE THE INSTRUMENT. GOD HAS TAKEN MY HANDS. I AM GOD’S INSTRUMENT (page 90)” This quote illustrates the absolute belief that Owen has in God; despite the fact that Owen has taken the life from Tabitha Wheelwright, mother of Johnny, he chalks it up to fate and God’s will. However, John Wheelwright doubts the ideologies of Christianity as he changes his denomination within the Christian community regularly. This contrast is displayed when the two boys are young

Another relationship of unlikely alliances is Gabe and Jonas from The Giver. This is crucial to the unlikely alliances because someone so small would want to be best friends with an older boy, this is one of the reasons why Gabe and Jonas are unlikely allies. This is similar to my life because I am very good friends with a one year old. As Jonas goes through the damaging experiences of war, death and pain, this helps the world because, through the painful experience of the memories, he can at least transmit the good memories. Whenever Gabe is with someone other than Jonas, he tends to cry, but when Gabe is with Jonas is is silent through the night. According to IMDb.com “When he discovers that the baby Gabriel that he loves as a brother will