Faith In John Irving's A Prayer For Owen Meany

Not the least of my problems is that I can hardly even imagine what kind of an experience a genuine, self-authenticating religious experience would be. Without somehow destroying me in the process, how could God reveal himself in a way that would leave no room for doubt? If there were no room for doubt, there would be no room for me.-

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.

Defined as a complete trust in people, faith prevails as an essential quality for the development of interpersonal and personal connections. Accordingly, John Brehm, author of “Sea of Faith,” illustrates a scholar experience in a freshman class. A teacher, which the reader implies as Brehm himself, becomes irritated at the lack of knowledge in his students at such a simple topic: figurative language. Disgruntled at the question he begins to examine the significance behind it. Ultimately, after self-examination, he comes to understand the young lady who posed the question that annoyed him (1000). Through the use of literary devices such as personification, tone, and comparison: the author illustrates the changing perspective and ultimate connection the teacher makes with the students as he realizes the positivity that arises from faith.

Everyone here at Northwestern, even though it is a Christian college, has a different view of faith. Some people put it above all and others only know the stories. In the novel Ordinary Grace, Krueger throws challenges at the Drum family. Each family member reacts differently to every challenge thrown at them and has their faith strengthened or destroyed. In William Krueger’s Ordinary Grace, he shows the different levels of faith from the strongest to the weakest, and how they react to different obstacles in life through Nathan, Frank, Jake, and Ruth.

Surprised by Hope by N.T. Wright is a must read for any Christian looking to expand their understanding of faith. Surprised by Hope gives us a full understanding of salvation as it is revealed in the Bible. This book also tells us how we should act in our lives and in this world as God’s redeemed people. It reveals incredible insight that is important to us because it explains just how crucial our role in this world is. Wright talks about the way things currently are and how they will be with the resurrection and our salvation. The book expands on the Christian mission and what it means to live with hope and faith and attempts to answer the very famous question: What is heaven?

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 symbols that John Irving incorporated into A Prayer for Owen Meany. While some symbols only appear in the novel once, other symbols happen to recur throughout the novel. Such recurring symbols are the several manifestations of “armless” figures, which are Tabby’s dressmaker’s dummy, the armadillo, and the statue of Mary Magdalene. The most significant manifestation of the armless figures is Tabby’s dressmaker’s dummy since its symbolism of Tabby primarily contributes to the reader’s understanding of Owen’s belief that he was God’s instrument, as well as the overall theme of predestination.

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

In A Prayer for Owen Meany, John Irving uses literary devices including allusions, characterization, and motifs to establish his theme that stress the importance of faith and the acceptance of fate.

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.

This also presents the idea to the reader that Owen was a miracle since birth. In addition, the reader can see that the Unspeakable Outrage also has to do with the priests controversial belief system because they believe Owen’s story is a sin and the story of Jesus’s birth is a miracle.

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

A Prayer for Owen Meany analyzes the relationship between various depths of spirituality in comparison to mundane life. The novel by John Irving uses characters such as Owen Meany and John Wheelwright, to juxtapose the contrasting nature of faith and doubt, and fate and free will.

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

A Prayer for Owen Meany analyzes the relationship between various depths of spirituality in comparison to mundane life. The novel by John Irving uses characters such as Owen Meany and John Wheelwright, to juxtapose the contrasting nature of faith and doubt, and fate and free will.