The Character and Psyche of Owen Meany

1275 Words3 Pages

John Irving begins his novel with one of the most iconic introductory lines in modern literature; introducing a character who is a great source of pain and anguish, yet the ultimate source behind the narrator’s belief in God (Irving 3). In this paradoxical sentiment the theme of the book born, what follows it is a journey that is different from any other. John Wheelwright, the narrator, tells a story of his best friend Owen Meany and what effect he has had on John’s own life, while concurrently interjecting the plot with information about the occurrence in the world around him and how it relates back to Owen. Through the uses of sporadic but continuous plot development John Irving develops a self acclaimed Christ-like character whose life, actions, and being directly influence the development of those around him; ultimately conveying an utter sense of belief in disbelief.

Irving uses a non-linear plot style to tell the story of Owen’s life, accomplishing two things: he gives a reader insight into the mental state of John Wheelwright and its slow digression, and makes a reader experience events not in the order that they occurred but rather in the order of recollection. By accomplishing these two things, Irving develops a biographical and believable plot that has unbelievable suspense; as a reader does not get key details of setting and plot until later in the book.

Owen Meany is setup as a Christ analogue in the text (Peterson). Irving makes this obvious by offsetting Owen’s speech in all caps, similar to how most translations of the Bible offset Jesus’ speech in red. He is an unlikely hero in the lives of those around him, both directly and indirectly. Even not considering the penultimate scene of Owen’s sacrifice, he is cl...

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...Critical Approaches to Literature. 3rd ed. New York: Oxford UP, 1992. Home - School of Communication and Information - Rutgers University. Rutgers, n.d. Web. 27 Feb. 2011.

Hagen, Edward H. Non-bizarre Delusions as Strategic Deception. Publication. Vancouver: Washing State University, 2007. Washington State University, Vancouver, Aug. 2007. Web. 27 Feb. 2011.

Irving, John. A Prayer for Owen Meany: a Novel. New York: Ballantine, 2009. Print.

Kazin, Alfred. "A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving." Rev. of A Prayer for Owen Meany. The New York Times 12 Mar. 1989, Late City Final Edition ed., sec. 7: 1. Books. New York TImes. Web. 27 Feb. 2011.

Marauder. "Introduction to Literature Final Exam." Millersville University, n.d. Web. 27 Feb. 2011.

Peterson, Eugene H. "Writers And Angels: Witness to Transcendence." Theology Today Oct. 1994: 396-98. Web. 27 Feb. 2011.

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