Floating Armless :: Philosophy, God

In A Prayer for Owen Meany forthhouse Ivring uses several symbols to explore the themes of fate and divine control. Ivring describes several objects and characters as world armless to represent a sacrifice made by a divine influence. Owen Meany in particular is often described as being supra the ground to represent what he sees as his slope as Gods instrument.Owen is first described as being held in the air when attending Sunday school(p 2). Later in the keep John repeatedly picks up Owen and raises him to a basketball hoop so he can practice a slam dunk that becomes cognise as the shot. Before Owens death he is once once more lifted to a high window using the shot in order to protect a group of children below (p 612). Finally Owen floats above the pine trees after his death (p 615).In part, Owens repeated evasion is practical. Practicing the shot gave Owen and John the ability to place the grenade on the windows. However, Owens flight, specially after his death also alludes that Owen is closer to the heavens and reinforces his role as Gods instrument (p 87). After Owens death, John points out that There were forces that contributed to our illusion of Owens weightlessness they were forces that we failed to believe in-and they were also lifting up Owen Meany, taking him out of our hands. (p 617) This suggests that Owen was being lifted be divine forces from puerility until they lifted him above the palm trees. Owen was confident throughout the novel throughout the novel that nothing happens by accident and that he was fated to pass on July 8, 1968(p 607). Owen feels his death is a part of Gods throw and does not attempt to change his fate. This ties into the theme of divine control. He was carried by spiritual beings through his life to fulfill his role in redeeming(a) the children. In A Prayer for Owen Meany many characters seem to yen amputations. The Indian chief Watahantowet draws an armless totem when he sells his land(p 8). Owen amputa tes the stuffed armadillos claws to represent his ill-doing and grief after accidentally killing Tabitha Wheelwright (p 86). The Meanys nativity present features a one-handed Joseph and a three-legged cow (p 183). Tabithas dressmakers dummy is armless until Owen gives it the arms he removed from a statue of bloody shame Magdalene (p 553), one of which is later separated again from the dummy (p 555).