A Prayer For Owen Meany Character Analysis

In the novel “A Prayer for Owen Meany”, John Wheelright undergoes a spiritual awakening when Owen Meany is killed. Owen Meany, John’s lifelong best friend, has faith in

God and believes himself to be an instrument of God, a belief which John does not share until after Owen’s death. However, from the very beginning of the novel, it is clear that Owen was instrumental in the development of John’s faith. In fact, John says, “he is the reason I believe in

God; I am a Christian because of Owen Meany” (Irving, 1). John even begins referring to Owen as a miracle, telling everyone he knows that Owen was extraordinary and miraculous. After

Owen’s death, John takes his newfound faith in God and moves to Canada to rebuild his life.

Once there, he joins

John is now living his present as a believer in God, and this shapes his perspective on both his past and his future.

Much like John, my awakening changed my perspective on life. While I was at the happiness sprinkling, I noticed that, while most people smiled back at us, some people did their best to avoid us. As I was thinking about this, I realized that if I had not been a part of that group,

I probably would have been one of those people who just avoided it. When I had this realization, it made me feel bad, and I was suddenly extremely thankful for the opportunity to change my perspective. I truly believe that I became a different person that day, and I think that it was a change for the better. I began to be more positive and I tried looking at everything as an opportunity to spread happiness to others as well as myself.

Regardless of the reason for it, a change in your perspective really leads to a change in your life. In both the case of John Wheelright and myself, this new view on the world and on life in general, is very beneficial to one’s growth and development. Even something as small as a shift in perspective can be the thing that leads you to your place in