John Irving’s A Prayer for Owen Meany shows how death can have a lasting impact on anyone. These influences are often associated with negative meanings, but death in this book has a more positive effect on the narrator. John is able to reconcile with Owen by his death and turn to the Christian faith. His death’s sacrificial side reveals his deepest beliefs.
Owen’s death was premeditated and meant to save John and Vietnamese children. Dick Jartvis, a mentally unstable teenager, entered the bathroom with John and Owen and threw an grenade at John. John passes the grenade to Owen, who lifts Owen. Owen then throws the grenade into the window sill and sacrifices himself to save everyone else in the bathroom. Owen knew of his death through “the dream”, which was a vision he had often about his death. He wrote in his diary, “I know when and how I will die” I will be a hero.” John was puzzled by this entry. John didn’t believe in God, so the “certainty” of Owen’s convictions was scary to him. Owen was a man full of faith. Everything Owen did was because God was with him. John becomes more spiritually aware of Owen’s certainty and realizes God was the one that sent him the message. John comes to believe in God after realizing that something so fragile like life was not in the hands anyone but God. Owen then explains to John how he got rid of the bomb, “The shot.” Owen comes up with a move. Owen will dribble a basket, then pass it on to Owen. Owen would then raise Owen to dunk his basketball. Owen and John continue to practice this shot until it is perfected. Owen stated that Owen believes faith takes practice to ensure they make the shot on time. They practice until they are able to save everyone in the toilet. Owen’s ability predict the future and fate is what makes him a connection to God. Owen sees himself as God’s instrument, saving people in his place. John understands this connection as Owen gave his life to God. John now sees how Owen can complete the miracle.
John is able to see Owen’s sacrifice through his own eyes, which helps him reconsider his beliefs. John is both very logic and skeptical. He requires proof in order to believe any thing. This is why he never believed in God. As a teenager, he “became somewhat vague in his faith,” but that quickly changes. John must have real-life experience with the fragility in life to fully understand why miracles are not always explained, but God creates them. Owen said that “you can’t prove miracles” before, and John needed to experience it for himself. Owen says that God is the only way to prove miracles. John believes this because Owen gave his life for him. John’s realization contributes greatly to John’s character development. He was a believer in what he saw, but not in God. He is now able to believe in facts rather than faith.
John’s spiritual evaluation of Owen’s sacrifice is evident in A Prayer for Owen Meany’s ending. John’s experience near death helps him to realize the fragility of life, and how God can manipulate it.
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