Authors profusely use themes to add dimension, help the reader understand, and direct the reader in following the path of novel’s intention. Providing a novel with the structural value of a theme, the author keeps the reader guided. In a Prayer for Owen Meany, John Irving uses themes to combine the complexity of his work. Without the theme of religion/doubt tying in with fate versus free will, the novel would lose substance and value.
Faith and religion, without a doubt, is the underlying main source of the novel’s overtone. The struggle to find faith and keep it throughout all circumstances is one of the novel 's goal. In the first paragraph of the book, readers find out that John has taken in Christianity from Owen. As the novel goes on, …show more content…
While free will is the power of acting without the constraint of necessity or fate; the ability to act at one 's own discretion. The novel exhibits to readers that fate is already pre-destined and nothing can change that but, unlike Owen, no one will know their fate, and are granted with the free will to make their own decisions. Fate and free will add into the symbol of Owen believing he is God’s instrument and his belief in religion. Owen believes that he had free will and no idea of what God’s plan was until he interfered with his work. Owen did not realize what his destiny actually was until he interfered with the angel of death. By doing this, he was instructed into taking Tabby’s life as a way that God has a plan. After the death of Tabby, Owen is seen praying by her gravesite, as he scurries off into the night, he shouts to God asking what he wants from him, proclaiming how he is some sort of messengar. However, John was not mad at Owen because he believed that it happened because it happened and there was no reason behind it. “BELIEF IN GOD, OR A BELIEF THAT—EVENTUALLY—EVERYTHING HAS TRAGIC CONSEQUENCES … EITHER WAY, YOU DON’T LEAVE YOURSELF ANY ROOM FOR PHILOSOPHICAL DETACHMENT… NEVER CONFUSE FAITH, OR BELIEF—OF ANY KIND—WITH SOMETHING EVEN REMOTELY INTELLECTUAL.” Then as the novel progressed, Owen began to believe that his shape, size, and voice were all a part of God 's plan also. Moreover, Owen believed that saving the Vietnamese children was a part of God 's plan and his fate. One reason, because of his voice, he knew God pick him because his child-like screech related to the vietnamese so children well. Owen apprehended how he was going to die but accepted it. Supplementary to fate, Owen believing a abundant amount into faith starts along with his parents telling him he is of virgin
Faith and religion, without a doubt, is the underlying main source of the novel’s overtone. The struggle to find faith and keep it throughout all circumstances is one of the novel 's goal. In the first paragraph of the book, readers find out that John has taken in Christianity from Owen. As the novel goes on, …show more content…
While free will is the power of acting without the constraint of necessity or fate; the ability to act at one 's own discretion. The novel exhibits to readers that fate is already pre-destined and nothing can change that but, unlike Owen, no one will know their fate, and are granted with the free will to make their own decisions. Fate and free will add into the symbol of Owen believing he is God’s instrument and his belief in religion. Owen believes that he had free will and no idea of what God’s plan was until he interfered with his work. Owen did not realize what his destiny actually was until he interfered with the angel of death. By doing this, he was instructed into taking Tabby’s life as a way that God has a plan. After the death of Tabby, Owen is seen praying by her gravesite, as he scurries off into the night, he shouts to God asking what he wants from him, proclaiming how he is some sort of messengar. However, John was not mad at Owen because he believed that it happened because it happened and there was no reason behind it. “BELIEF IN GOD, OR A BELIEF THAT—EVENTUALLY—EVERYTHING HAS TRAGIC CONSEQUENCES … EITHER WAY, YOU DON’T LEAVE YOURSELF ANY ROOM FOR PHILOSOPHICAL DETACHMENT… NEVER CONFUSE FAITH, OR BELIEF—OF ANY KIND—WITH SOMETHING EVEN REMOTELY INTELLECTUAL.” Then as the novel progressed, Owen began to believe that his shape, size, and voice were all a part of God 's plan also. Moreover, Owen believed that saving the Vietnamese children was a part of God 's plan and his fate. One reason, because of his voice, he knew God pick him because his child-like screech related to the vietnamese so children well. Owen apprehended how he was going to die but accepted it. Supplementary to fate, Owen believing a abundant amount into faith starts along with his parents telling him he is of virgin