- Published: November 15, 2021
- Updated: November 15, 2021
- University / College: University of Ottawa
- Language: English
- Downloads: 4
This book makes good use of the way by which John Irving expresses his imaginative ideas with the use of his solid and humorous style. The book manages to keep the reader’s attention focused on the story because of the clear writing style that Irving employs.
The way that John Irving narrates this story however is the main reason that it is a very good book.
The method by which this novel is narrated is my favorite aspect of it. Three significant stories interlock in this narrative: John and Owen’schildhood, their adult life and John’s life after Owen’s death. (“ A Prayer for Owen Meany,” Analytical Overview)
The novel is told from the first person point of view, that of John’s. His narrative seems like he is rambling which is very characteristic of writing coming from streams of consciousness. We see the world through his eyes, which explains why the narrative keeps on skipping from scene to scene. (“ A Prayer for Owen Meany: Analytical Overview”)
The novel is written like a memoir, which indicates that most of John’s experiences were based or, more like, parallel with historical events such as the assassination of President Kennedy and the scandal of Iran-Contra. John’s views about these events sometimes overshadow his recollection of his childhoodmemoriesand his views about religion. (“ A Prayer for Owen Meany: Analytical Overview”)
The book’s study on John’s psychological confusion is difficult to understand. As it is told from his point of view, he constantly tries to shift the attention away from him and to the other characters and events that transpired throughout the story.
His own feelings over the loss of Owen Meany shows how much damaged and torn his character truly is that his constant recollection and narration of the past reveals his desire to relive them, or perhaps hisfailureto live in the present. (“ A Prayer for Owen Meany: Analytical Overview”)
References:
“ A Prayer for Owen Meany: Analytical Overview.” November 7, 2006.
“ Plot as Repetition: John Irving’s Narrative Experiments.” November 7, 2006.
