A PRAYER FOR OWEN MEANY John Irving

Born in Exeter, New Hampshire in 1942 Attended University of New Hampshire and University of Iowa Never met his biological father Not very religious Avoided the Vietnam War – wed with a son Writes novels and screen plays Has written 13 novels, and is currently working on the 14 th Topics of novels: key topics such as abortion, religion, and war Notable Titles: The World According to Garp, The Cider House Rules, and A Widow for One Year Won Academy Award for Best Adapted Screen Play in 1999 for Cider House Rules Currently resides in Toronto, Canada

Historical Context Published in 1989 Set in Gravesend, New Hampshire in the 1950s and 1960s Also takes place in Toronto, Canada in the late 1980s The Vietnam War and the Reagan Administration take place in the novel Owen Meany is based off of a childhood friend of Irving Irving says that this book is not based off of his life, but there are major similarities.

Major Themes Faith vs Doubt “GOD HAS TAKEN YOUR MOTHER. MY HANDS WERE THE INSTRUMENT. GOD HAS TAKEN MY HANDS. I AM GOD’S INSTURMENT.” “I am Christian because of Owen Meany.” Sacrifice Owen holds back a year with Johnny before entering high school Owen turns down a full ride to Harvard and Yale to go to The University of New Hampshire with Johnny. Owen prevents Johnny from going to the Vietnam War – “JUST THINK OF THIS AS MY LITTLE GIFT TO YOU” Reflection on the Past Narrated as John looks back on his past “I could have told her that it was only our illusion that Owen Meany weighed ‘nothing at all.’ We were only children-we are only children.”

Literary Devices Symbols – Every chapter brings a new symbol – Owen’s voice, the baseball, the red dress, the armadillo, Johnny’s finger, the shot Foreshadowing and Flashback – “I am fated to remember…” “It was Owen Meany who kept me out of Vietnam.” Imagery – Very specific detail: “as to how it was hinged, it was the casement-type, with such a deep window ledge in front of it that a man could comfortably have sat there – except that his head and shoulders would be scrunched by the ceiling.” Allusion Kennedy and Monroe affair Vietnam War Reagan Administration Bible – “DO NOT BE AFRAID.” “as high as the palm trees” Language – stream of conscious, very informal

Character Analysis – Johnny Wheelwright Narrator – looking back on childhood from Toronto Grows up in Gravesend, New Hampshire in a well to do family Best friend is Owen Struggles with faith and his future Not a good student “JUST SLOW” Follows Owen throughout childhood – never his own person Moves to Canada and becomes a teacher at an all girls school Anti-American (especially to Reagan) sentiments

Character Analysis – Owen Meany Very short, high pitched voice, pale, like a “gravestone” Very intelligent Makes major sacrifices for Johnny and others Has a unique ability to calm others, meets the family of dead and comforts them Has a love relationship with Johnny’s cousin Resembles the Christ archetype Knows the date and how he will die Very faithful Believes he is the “INSTRUMENT” of God – His hands are instruments of God

Character Analysis Tabby Wheelwright Johnny’s mother Great singing voice – goes to Boston every week for lessons Never tells Johnny who his father is, marries Dan Needham Killed by foul ball shot that Owen hit Dan Needham Johnny’s adopted father – key father figure in his life Teaches acting at Gravesend Academy Hester Johnny’s cousin Has a romantic relationship with Owen Resembles anti-war sentiment Becomes a rock star – “Hester the Molester” Grandma Wheelwright Very pretentious Fervent on history of town

Important Quotes “God knows, Owen gave me more than he ever took from me – even when you consider he took my mother.” “If you care about something you have to protect it – If you’re lucky enough to find a way of life you love, you have to find the courage to live it.” “When someone you love dies, and you're not expecting it, you don't lose her all at once; you lose her in pieces over a long time—the way the mail stops coming, and her scent fades from the pillows and even from the clothes in her closet and drawers. Gradually, you accumulate the parts of her that are gone. Just when the day comes—when there's a particular missing part that overwhelms you with the feeling that she's gone, forever—there comes another day, and another specifically missing part. “Your memory is a monster; you forget—it doesn't. It simply files things away. It keeps things for you, or hides things from you—and summons them to your recall with will of its own. You think you have a memory; but it has you!” “I am always saying prayers for Owen Meany.”

Relation to Today Johnny moves to Canada to start over after Owen’s death and adopts a highly anti-American persona – especially against Reagan This is just like today where people are looking at ways to move to Canada in fear of Trump becoming president (Google search for this has gone up 350%) “The only way you get Americans to notice anything is to tax them or draft them or kill them.” “THAT PRETTY SCARY – THE FUTURE, I THINK, IS PRETTY SCARY.”

Comparison to Other Texts A Prayer for Owen Meany and The Kite Runner Story of two best friends growing up (Owen and Johnny) (Amir and Hassan) Johnny and Amir are looking back on his childhood as an adult The Christ figure is prominent in Owen and Hassan Both of the friends make major sacrifices (both give up their lives) Both Johnny and Amir have issues with their father figures and rely upon other men in order to for guidance in life DIFFERENCE Amir atones for his sins through redemptive suffering – Saving Sohrab – but John is unable to do so and lives with guilt and discontentment in his life

Simon Burch A Prayer for Owen Meany was adapted into a movie called “Simon Birch” John Irving wanted the name to be different due to the major deviation from the novel Loosely based on the novel – the main connection is Owen killing Johnny’s mom AGU8cOHxSxo AGU8cOHxSxo

PERSONAL REACTION