a prayer fo owen meany :: essays research papers

A Critique of A Prayer For Owen MeanyIn the novel written by John Irving, A Prayer For Owen Meany, the protagonist, Owen Meany, developed an unaccustomed religious significance. Owen see visions of future veritable(a)ts, he had a unique type of faith in God that is unusual of about people, and he speaks endlessly to predicate people about God. Throughout Owens life he demonstrated the same characteristics as a prophet through his actions and his words.Similar to a prophet, Owen was inclined precognitive powers that allowed him to see into the future. Owens first prophecy came to him on New Years Eve in 1953 during the community production of A Christmas Carol. The most obvious inference concerning the play was that Owen played the part of the ghost of Christmas yet to come. Owen had dehumanized this character to the point that children were leaving the theater crying and some were even wetting their pants. Both of them were told their futures, however Scrooge made and effort t o change his, where as Owen did not. Owens revelation came through a vision he experienced during the graveyard scene of the play. He immediately fainted following the vision. The curtains went down, and members of the production all ran to help Owen. Owen believed he had seen his name on a gravestone along with the naming of his death and no one could convince him otherwise. The fact that he was correct about the date of his death confirmed that he had visions and confirmed his qualities of being a prophet.A prophet uses his visions to not only prove they have powers, but also to benefit others. The second prophecy came to Owen in his dreams when he envisioned the debate and the expressive style Schaefer 2his life would end. Owen wrote his dream in his diary. No one realized how detailed and precise it really was until they read it for themselves. Owen stated in his diary, The way they look at me, I know two things. I know I saved them-I dont know how. And I know that theyre a fraid for me. The entries in his diary revealed that he died saving Vietnamese children. God died for others too this is why he is considered a true hero. (Sebsteph 1) A prophet uses their prophecies to benefit the world or allow people to learn from their visions and this is a prime example of this.