As the story draws to a conclusion, Owen Meany makes the ultimate sacrifice in killing himself to defend a group of orphans and nuns. He is able to protect them by performing The Shot, a move him and John had been practicing for years where John hoisted him on his shoulders to dunk a basketball. This is significant because, once again, Owen's small stature and awkward presence benefitted him. With that being said, do you believe Owen proved himself as "God's instrument"? Do you believe he fulfilled his purpose in life? Why or why not?
-McLeod, Kelsie, Tyler
One of my favorite proverbs, and a truth that life has continually proven to me time and again, is that God works in mysterious ways. Thus, I’ve come to expect the unexpected, and give notice to “coincidences” and things out of the ordinary. Irving’s character Owen undoubtedly finds use as God’s instrument, a double entendre meaning both His “device” and “vocalization”. Drawing on the responses from our last blog post, Owen clearly differentiates himself from the normalcy that pervades in his cookie-cutter, picturesque but not without secrets, town of Gravesend, New Hampshire. No one would expect God’s mouthpiece to lie within the frame of a boy “…the color of a gravestone…” with size only comparable to that of a “…doll…”, and a voice that hinted to a “…destroyed trachea” (2, 3). Despite these abnormalities, or perhaps because of, Owen finds himself the center of attention. God picked Owen as a prophet for his bizarre attributes; if there’s a universal truth in this life, it’s that the eccentric gets attention, and the squeaky wheel the oil. Owen’s voice is more than squeky, it’s “…ALWAYS GOING TO BE PUBLISHED IN CAPITALS”, not only in Owen’s newspaper’s publication in The Voice, but also in the novel itself (which further allude to the sanctity of his speech, like Red Letter Editions of the Bible) (289). In this way, Owen Meaney serves the purpose as God’s messenger, but Owen’s actions are what truly deliver temporal and eternal salvation and understanding to the book’s narrator, John, Pastor Merrill and the group of nuns and children he protected. The chain of events started with Owen’s purpose as “…the instrument of my [John’s] death…” (1). From then on, Owen strives everyday to be an example to John, reassuring him that “FAITH AND PRAYER. FAITH AND PRAYER – THEY WORK…” (402). After college, Owen saves John’s mortal life with “…A LITTLE GIFT…” of a deferment from the Vietname war (509). Then, a true Christ figure, he sacrifices his life to save complete strangers as a completion of his destiny. By doing this, he illustrates the courage that John required to believe, and subsequently helped John reunite with his father, Pastor Merrill. Using all the memorabilia that Owen had collected through the years, John then restores Pastor Merrill’s faith. Undeniably, Owen, through a small, literally miniature, beginning, set in motion of chain of events that fulfilled God’s purpose for him in life.
ReplyDeleteEverything happens for a reason. God has many unexplainable ways of allowing fate to dominate individual’s lives. It was Owen Meany’s destiny to have a “little, diminutive” (202) voice and physical appearance, even though that reason was unclear until the conclusion of the novel. God allowed Owen to realize before his death that he had a purpose in life; that he was “God’s instrument.” Owen knew there was objective he was destined to succeed in, but had no idea that his words and actions would strongly influence the people around him.
ReplyDeleteOwen Meany always seemed to lead “any group of people” (79) in the right “direction.” (79) He had the ability to make people question their own religious beliefs in order to strengthen their spiritual devotion to God. Owen is the reason why “[John] is a believer” (2) in God. Even though he does not exhibit Christ-like characteristics, Owen acts as a “martyr” (6) because he embraces his ability to recognize God’s plan for himself. Knowing this information shows the resemblance between Jesus Christ and Owen Meany in the fact that they both are born on Earth to spread the word of God and worship him. John wonders “exactly how human” (69) his best friend really is. He compares him to a “descending angel-a tiny but fiery god” (69) that is sent to fix the “errors of our ways.” (69) Owen knows that God has “allowed [him] to know more than most people know,” (366) and, with this knowledge, is prepared to face the destiny He has written for him.
During the last few pages of the novel, Owen Meany realizes the reason he is “God’s instrument.” Knowing that his high-pitched voice was different, he refused to have a voice teacher coach him to change it because Owen believe God wanted his voice to seem minor and unimportant; however, during his final moments of life, Owen is able to command and persuade the Vietnamese children with the sound released by his vocal cords. He realizes “why [his] voice never changes” (612) because the children listen to him since his voice reverberates and, he physically looks like an adolescent. With John’s help, they were able to successful achieve The Shot in four seconds and save the lives of innocent women and children. Owen knew that there was a reason why “[John] had to be there.” (615) Because of Owen’s voice and small body, he does not appear to be “God’s instrument;” however, his powerful messages contradict his physical growth. Owen Meany not only fulfilled his purpose of sacrifice to save others but he also changed the faith of the people around him. Just like God, he too was an inspiration.
Owen provided John with a reason to live. He guided John in connecting with and believing in God. Owen Meany was God’s instrument in leading John to Him. Although only thinking that his purpose in life was to save the Vietnamese children, appearing in his reoccurring dream, Owen was not completely aware that he was also God’s instrument in leading John to God. After Owen’s death John reveals that he is “always saying prayers for Owen Meany” (542). John believes in God because of Owen. He continues to pray and worship even after Owen is gone, but only because of Owen. After saving the children, Owen is finally accepted by God because he fulfilled the task that came from Him. As Owen was passing John could tell “by his almost cheerful expression that he was at least as high as the palm trees,” (542) and even this continued to show John the great power of God and Owen’s special connection with Him.
ReplyDeleteOwen Meany is the epitome of being God’s instrument. He views life as a gift. Instead of trying to get help to cure his cacophonous voice, Owen Meany believes that God has given him this voice for a specific purpose. Another magnanimous act that allows Owen to receive the accolade of being God’s instrument is when he brings Mr. Fish to church. Despite the fact that Mr. Fish never goes to church, Owen Meany, through his theatrical performances, convinces Mr. Fish to go with him. Essentially the role of God’s instrument is to bring others and their selves closer to God, which is exactly what Owen does. John admits to the fact that he is “a Christian because of Owen Meany” (1). When John continuously questions his father’s existence, Owen says, “YOUR DAD CAN HIDE FROM YOU….BUT HE CAN’T HIDE FROM GOD” (10). Owen’s faith in God sets him apart from the society. He continuously reassures John that his father will come one day, and his powerful thoughts sink into John. John realizes that he will not be a victim of injustice because God will take care of him. Even when Owen dies, he continues working as God’s instrument. Owen saves the nun and the price he pays is his life. Owen knows that he is going to die this way because he tells John, "I KNOW WHEN I'M GOING TO DIE--AND NOW A DREAM HAS SHOWN ME HOW I'M GOING TO DIE". Normally, someone would try to run away from death, however, Owen embraces it because he knows that God has sent him for a special purpose. Owen realizes that because he has done his role in being “God’s instrument”, it is now time for him to leave. Owen’s purpose when he was born was to be God’s instrument, and throughout his life, there were many occasions in which he fulfilled his purpose.
ReplyDeleteEverything has a higher purpose in life. This common saying transcends right into the very storyline of John Irving’s novel about “the smallest person” “with a wrecked voice”, named Owen Meany. (1) Owen, while small in stature, determined at a relatively young age that he was “GOD’S INSTRUMENT” (87). Throughout the novel, Owen proves that he indeed is exactly this. From the beginning of the book, John, Owen’s best friend, constantly wonders who his father is. After his mother dies an untimely death, John is overcome with anger that he will never know who his father is, but “Owen Meany told me that he was sure my father was alive” (10). Owen’s death near the end of the novel leads John to ultimately find out who his father was, thus serving “GOD’S INSTRUMENT” by bringing John to meet his father who is Reverend Merrill. Not only does John find out who his father is as a result of Owen’s death, but “when God decided it was time to tell me who my father was, God chose to speak to me in Owen’s voice” (543). Owen’s unique voice was the instrument that delivered the news that John had been searching for his whole life, and thus uncovered the identity of his father. Owen’s presence within John’s life is why he was “made...a believer” (2). Without Owen, John would never have believed in God, thus reinforcing the higher purpose Owen had in life as an instrument of God’s power. Owen Meany is unique in every facet, and serves a higher purpose throughout the novel as a gateway for his best friend into enlightenment both in religion and in the questioning of his mysterious past.
ReplyDeleteOwen Meany is a gift from God and is essentially the key to other's lives. God works through Owen to better the future of the people around him, including John. Meanwhile, Owen, too, is learning and growing as an individual, influenced by those he is intended to help. He is the important influence in John’s life that guides him through life and leads him to find himself and God. Owen defends Christianity and teaches John, without even knowing what the extend of his thoughts do for John, through words of “MIRACLES AREN’T ANYTHING YOU CAN SEE—THEY’RE THINGS YOU HAVE TO BELIEVE WITHOUT SEEING… GOD DOESN’T LOVE US BECAUSE WE’RE SMART OR BECAUSE WE’RE GOOD. WE’RE STUPID AND WE’RE BAD AND GOD LOVES US ANYWAY” (309-310). Even Owen realizes and understands that God loves unconventionally, a piece of knowledge that comes from his connection to God. Owen serves as the link to relay this message to the people around him, making him an instrument of God. It is also ironic that Owen is physically different, as well as mentally. His unique stature and attention demanding voice is a gift to insure that his knowledge and lessons will be heard, as "The Voice expressed what [they] were unable to say" (293). I see it as though Owen’s purpose is to pass on what he knows and do all the good that he can when he is faced with adversity. Owen’s sacrifice is his last testament to faith and his loyalty to God. It is almost his going away party, ending his life for a good cause, which is why God made him a gift. His gift is simply to do something good with whatever comes his way, setting an example for those surrounding him.
ReplyDeleteI believe that essentially everyone is "God's instrument." God has different ways of working through everyone whether they know it or not. I do also believe that Owen proved himself as such a instrument with the selfless act in defending those who couldn't defend themselves. All throughout his life he was there for the little mistakes that could be fixed with a band-aid and those that required a tad more preparation. The fact that he did unto others as he would have done to him, which is also a commandment, just added on to his instrument-like qualities, following God and using phrases such as "OUT OF THE BLUE -IT HAPPENED IN A FLASH YOU KNOW, LIKE THE BURNING BUSH" (396) simply proves this ideaology. Do I believe he furfilled his purpose in life? That's a bit of a harder question to answer, that takes one back to their own personal beliefs. In my case I do believe that he furfilled his purpose but not just because he saved those people from a fiery embrace of death but because I believe that everyone has a purpose planned out for them before they are even born and no matter what happens in their life they furfilled the duty they were supposed to.
ReplyDeleteOne of the most elusive questions to ever be asked “what is my purpose?” While many people create a purpose for their lives, there are others who feel the events of their lives are being guided by some divine force for a particular purpose. Owen Meeny is one of these people. Throughout his life Owen received visions, such as seeing the angel of death over John’s mother and seeing his name on the gravestone during the school play. Also Owen also has a recurring dream in which he dies saving Vietnamese children. Owen interprets these as God’s plan for him and eventually joins the military so he can fulfill his destiny. Owen slightly misinterpreted the plan, instead of actually being in Vietnam, he was still in America when God’s plan unfolded. All his life he had had visions that had been preparing him for this sacrifice, and even though it was not exactly what he thought it would be, he still saved the children and nuns at the cost of his life. Just like Christ, Owen was divinely ordained to make the ultimate sacrifice to save others and to spread the word of God.
ReplyDeleteOwen Meany lived his life for God. Throughout the novel, he constantly refers to himself as “God’s Instrument” saying that his reason to live was to do good deeds for his God. Owen, after killing John’s mother often states, GOD HAS TAKEN YOUR MOTHER. MY HANDS WERE THE INSTRUMENT. GOD HAS TAKEN MY HANDS. I AM GOD’S INSTRUMENT”. Owen uses this belief to his advantage, as he is fearless in performing selfless tasks. I do believe that Owen fulfilled his purpose in life by acting as “God’s instrument.” People that are not affiliated with a religion would also agree as Owen did every action with the belief to help others. Even when things took a turn for the worst, Owen kept his cool by keeping faith in what he loved most.
ReplyDeleteEach individual’s life purpose serves a unique role to an elevated plan beyond our mundane understanding. This principle of foreordination is different than predestination because the events in are life are conditional upon the paths we choose that lead us to various goals or vivacious pausing points. Owen Meany embodies this universal principle throughout the narration. In Owen’s own acknowledgment of humanity’s imperfection he states, “GOD DOESN’T LOVE US BECAUSE WE’RE SMART OR BECAUSE WE’RE GOOD. WE’RE STUPID AND WE’RE BAD AND GOD LOVES US ANYWAY” (309-310) While an imperfect character subject to the same desires and frustrations as his peers, he ultimately transcends above the natural man by selflessly sacrificing himself in order to protect a group of innocent Vietnamese children. He is “God’s instrument” in several ways. One is his enlightening perspective that defies Catholicism by questioning basic principles and corrupted church truths. This draws upon the Socratic method and ultimately encourages his peers to do the same, thus becoming independent individuals of society like Owen. A second instrumental purpose is Owen’s role in John’s conversion to Christianity. He teaches him to overcome doubt with faith, his timely and foreseen death presents another miracle to strengthen John’s faith. The miracle leads him to find his father, Reverend Merrill and spread his testimony, therefore Owen aids John and Reverend Merrill through John. Owen’s death is the final miracle that confirms his divine calling. He adopts the role of a Christ figure by disposing of a grenade in order to save the children. The bomber Dick Jarvits presents the animalistic oxymoron of a character to Owen, who triumphs above the evil opposing force. As the climax of the story and his earthly discipleship, his death casts aside a need for onlooker’s faith because the factuality of his expected death to the very date and vision of the purpose for his death do not require faith and instead confirm undoubtedly though its very miraculousness.
ReplyDeleteAn evident theme and truth revealed in A Prayer for Owen Meany, is that God has a plan for us all. Owen was acutely aware of the many “signs from above” that signified a higher purpose than some others, like John, liked to admit or even conceptualize. Owen brings meaning to John’s life, as well as his own, when he accidentally kills her in a freak accident. This event arouses the discovery within Owen that he has a specific destiny. Through this tragedy, he also begins the process of “saving” John. John is lost and looking for an understanding to the reasoning behind his mother’s premature death, and Owen seems to have the answers. The book narrates, “It made [Owen] furious when I suggested that anything was an "accident"—especially anything that had happened to him; on the subject of predestination, Owen Meany would accuse Calvin of bad faith. There were no accidents; there was a reason for that baseball—just as there was a reason for Owen being small, and a reason for his voice. In Owen's opinion, he had INTERRUPTED AN ANGEL, he had DISTURBED AN ANGEL AT WORK, he had UPSET THE SCHEME OF THINGS” (56). He explains that his mother was meant to be in Heaven, and Owen acting as God’s will inevitability helped to execute that. As God’s “instrument,” Owen fulfills part of his mission when he inspires John to become a Christian. “He is the reason I believe in God; I am a Christian because of Owen Meany. I make no claims to have a life in Christ, or with Christ—and certainly not for Christ, which I've heard some zealots claim” (5). A big part of Owen’s destiny was being John’s savior. Yet another was when he utilizes the jump he had been meticulously practicing for years to save the Vietnamese orphans and nuns. Just as he predicted when he first saw his name on the grave in his dream, Owen’s ultimate calling his his self-sacrifice to save the children. Although he warned everyone that this was coming, everyone thought he was crazy. In the end though, he was right. Owen is very vigilant and does not believe in accidental occurrences. He is acutely aware of what God is asking of him. By saving these children, he demonstrates to the people in his life who were skeptical that one must be aware of what God is trying to communicate to them, and fulfill their calling. A true leader, Owen executes exactly what he believes up to the second he leaves earth.
ReplyDelete@Lauren- Lauren your evidence clearly bolsters your main claim that Owen led John to Christ. This therefore translates to Owen fulfilling his life purpose as God’s instrument. Great Job!
ReplyDelete@Prutha-The example you provided about how Owen brought Mr. Fish to church is definitely supports your claim. Owen is an instrument of God because he is of use to him: he helped bring yet another soul into the arms of salvation. Wonderful analysis!
@Kelsey-Throughout the novel, Owen serves a preacher of God’s religion. You took this stance and claimed Owen was an instrument of God. The quote you provided did an awesome job of defending these assertions. Good Job!
@Sydney- Fantastic analysis! You took an interesting stance on the “God’s instrument theory.” In essence, you are right. Everyone who is a Christian is one way or another His instrument and since Owen is an avid believer, he is too.
@Ryan-Your whole theory was based on the fact that Owen could essentially see the future, and his own death. By this reasoning you are asserting that he is essentially God’s instrument just as Jesus was. This is an excellent and unique point awesome job!
@Bracey: By incorporating the ideas from the previous blog to help reinforce this new question was great. I have always believed that God works in mysterious ways so your intro definitely grabbed my attention. Great analysis!
ReplyDelete@Caroline: When you mentioned the similarities between Jesus Christ and Owen Meany, it further strengthened your overall point that Owen was created by the Lord to perform the duties called upon him. I love how you were able to weave and abundance of quotes throughout adding extra supporting details for your opinion.
@Tasha: It was a smart idea to hone in on one specific incident in which Owen was able to spread Christian beliefs to those who do not completely believe. This was a perfect way to analyze Owen’s actions and influences in an explicit way.
@Cassie: Your brief interpretation of Owen Meany’s purpose was condensed and straight to the point. Your concluding sentence was notable for the addition of your own personality when saying Owen “kept his cool.” Nice job!
@Alexander: The Quote you used is one of my favorites within the novel. It’s truthful with a touch of sass. When mentioning more that one instrumental purpose, it furthered your argument that Owen was in fact sent to the world to do the work of God.
@Anna Cait: Leadership was one of Owen’s undeniable traits. I think it was an awesome way to incorporate that he was not only similar to Jesus in that they were both saviors, but also that they were both leaders set forth for others to learn from and follow to the light of the Lord.
"When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all your thoughts break their bonds: Your mind transcends limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction, and you find yourself in a new, great, and wonderful world. Dormant forces, faculties and talents become alive, and you discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you ever dreamed yourself to be" (Patanjali).
ReplyDeleteThrough experiences and growth in life, beliefs are developed and followed. I believe that everything happens for a reason. Owen Meany believed that he was “God’s instrument”. I think that he also believed that he was born the small size that we was for a reason in life. He started everyday knowing that he had a bigger purpose in life. Thinking that everything happens for a reason gives the opportunity to apply a positive outlook to any situation. A belief is a personal acceptance by the mind that something is true or real. Because Owen believed that he was designed for a reason and sent to make a difference, it does not matter what anyone else thought or thinks about him. Therefore I do believe that Owen fulfilled his purpose in life. He lived with a bright outlook. He was not hard on himself and turned a degrading situation into something that was literally life changing. He was able to save the lives of many because of what he believed. People were able to see Owen’s passion and how his belief made for a positive life. Following God gave him strength; he was an influence and inspiration to many. Most importantly he changed John’s life, “He is the reason I believe in God; I am a Christian because of Owen Meany” (5). Life is the most precious gift. Owen being able to save the lives of everyone that he did that day was the greatest gift. Not only did he physically save people, but he also was the influence in John’s life to help him follow God. In the end he mentally saved John’s life and many of the others that were in his presence. Owen Meany died knowing that it was for the right reason; he died completing what he believed he was meant to do.