Owen Sacrifice

561 Words2 Pages

One of the biggest sacrifices that Owen makes is not an obvious, or well-remembered detail. When John and Owen were in middle school, there was no doubt that Owen would be accepted into Gravesend Academy, due to his exceptional grades. However, John was not as good of a student and it was not clear if he would be accepted. When reviewing John’s application, the admissions counsel decided that it would be best for John to start ninth grade in public school and come to Gravesend Academy the next year as an incoming freshman. This means that John would be held back a grade while his best friend, Owen, moved on without him. Nevertheless, Owen told John that he was staying with him so that they could graduate together and also to keep his promise to Tabby that he would help John with his homework while in Gravesend Academy. This sacrifice, to stay back a grade when it was definitely not necessary, shows a lot about Owen’s character. …show more content…

The news would be upsetting but, I would not even think about staying back. The fact that Owen stays back to be with John and help him out shows how deeply Owen cares about John and how much John means to him. Throughout the novel, Owen looks out for, and always wants to be with John. It is evident that Owen values friendship, trust, reliance, love and support. These values are not only evident in his sacrifice to stay back a grade, but also when he cuts John's finger off. Owen was set and determined to go to Vietnam, he was not one of the men who sat by hoping and praying they would not be drafted or have to go to Vietnam. While Owen was not this type of man, John was, and Owen knew this. John was throwing around ideas about how he could get out of going to Vietnam, but Owen found the solution. Owen cut John’s finger off because he cared about John and did not want him doing something he did not want to

Open Document