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The existence of fate is an ongoing controversy. John Irving, when writing A Prayer for Owen Meany, gives the audience many encounters with fate to try to sway their opinions. However, he does not force it on the audience, merely educates them in the miracles that could happen and lets them decide for themselves. Owen not only believed his life was fated, but that he is an instrument of God who is there to carry out Gods will. His own experiences were obviously believed by him to be fated and the tragedy of Johns mother was supposed to occur. He was an indirect, but integral part of the fates of others as well, including John, Hester and Dan.
Despite Owens belief that life is fated, he believes he must actively pursue that future. Everything he or anyone else does has a reason for happening and that God intends it. Owens visions of his future were seen as not only assurance, but also guidelines to living his life. Throughout his life, people who were only partially religious, or at least felt they had to be, surrounded him. This negativity toward God never dampened Owens faith and it became stronger all the time. His belief in fate led him to Phoenix, initially thought to be Vietnam, where his dream became a reality.
ITS NOT THAT I WANT TO GO TO VIETNAM ITS WHERE I HAVE TO GO. ITS WHERE IM A HERO. IVE GOT TO BE THERE THE WAY YOU KNOW SOME THINGSYOUR OBLIGATIONS, YOUR DESTINY OR YOUR FATE. THE WAY YOU KNOW WHAT GOD WANTS YOU TO DO. (Irving, 1989, 471) Some would question if in fact this was his true fate or if he created it himself. Irving likely put this question in the novel to let his audience know that fate is questionable and mysterious. Even with its mysteries, it has its believers and they have all the proof they need.
Aside from his fate, Owen believed he is an instrument of God. He believes this because of Tabbys fate, but also because he is fated to save a group of children. This keeps Owen from quitting when so many obstacles were in his way. His fate to be a hero kept him going and that demonstrates as faith that plays a crucial role in his life. Although Owen had always believed in fate, he did not come to believe he was Gods instrument until Tabbys death.
Owen assumed he disturbed an angel of death on night, thereby inheriting the job himself. When he hit Johns mother there was little remorse illustrated because he knew it was out of his hands. GOD HAS TAKEN YOUR MOTHER. MY HANDS WERE THE INSTRUMENT. GOD HAS TAKEN MY HANDS. I AM GODS INSTRUMENT. (Irving, 1989, 87) This quote reveals Owens religious beliefs and the strength they hold on his life.
By believing that he is an instrument of God, he has taken on the responsibility of not only his own fate, but also those of others. However, this does not allow him to decide what will happen and when, but merely is chosen to carry out Gods wishes. The fact that he is a virgin birth, most likely helped Owen reach this conclusion; otherwise, it seems preposterous to even suggest. His life was not only fated with an untimely death, but also the privilege to be chosen by God to see that His wishes are met.
This reinforces the fact that John Irving is trying to sell the idea of fate. When Owen interrupted the angel, her death was just delayed, not avoided. Her fate was still carried out which implies that she indeed had a fate waiting for her. In addition to playing a role in Tabbys fate, Owen Meany also affected the fate of others close to him, first and most obvious is John. John says in the very beginning of the novel I am a Christian because of Owen Meany. (Irving, 1989, 1) Religion is a huge topic in everyones life and to credit one person with your beliefs is a great accomplishment on their part. Owen was Johns best friend up until his death and still even then.
Owens fate and the fact that he knew his fate influenced John into believing. Owen served his purpose to John, to enforce the faith in him. Hester was also greatly affected by Owens fate. She stated Ill marry you, Ill move to Arizona Ill go anywhere with you, Owen Ill even get pregnant if youd like that, Owen. Do you want babies? Ill give you babies! (Irving, 1989, 531) Hester loved Owen an extreme amount and was never the same after he left.
Her character was not really developed after his death, but she did become a rock star. Owen had influenced her life and if not for him, she may have settled down and not had a chance to develop her singing career. Dans life may have been affected the least of the three by Owen, but still needs to be examined. Owen was responsible for his wifes death.
The death of a loved one, especially so soon after their marriage, is hard to handle and possibly he was never able to recover. His fate of living a bachelor life was Owens doing as well. His affect on these characters shows his presence was influential and purposeful. He was an aid in Gods plan for them and will remain in their minds and hearts forever. Owens fate was so strongly believed in his own mind that, he turned his life upside down to bring that dream into reality; he also affected the lives of others when he fought for this fate. Irving uses Owens experiences to introduce the idea of fate and cause questions in the minds of believers and non-believers alike.
The audience is left to decide for themselves whether or not Owen really was an instrument of God because that question is never really answered in the novel. He shows how one boys faith in his predetermined future can affect the lives of so many. Owen Meany may not have been an instrument of God, but by giving faith to so many people, he may as well have been.
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Research essay sample on Idea Of Fate Owen Meany
