Fate can be linked to a sense of belief in a higher being. In A Prayer for Owen Meany, Irving uses a small, supernatural being to connect the beliefs of fate and religion. Owen Meany’s devoted sense of faith eventually forms into a belief that he is under control of his god; he prepares the foundation of his life behind this sense of fate. Owen’s religious dependence upon his future, whether it be to justify the cause of John’s mother’s death of to signify the end of his own, can be linked to his belief in his own fate.
Irving introduces the spark of Owen’s firm belief in fate after he believes the “Angel of Death” was sent down to signify his fate to kill Tabitha. Whether or not Owen truly was destined to have the opportunity for an at-bat, linking the fly ball which killed John’s mother back to Owen, this is the justification in Owen’s mind for what he has done. His faith and belief in fate gives him a solid reason to sleep at night. Irving creates this cushion early in Owen’s life and it continues to grow and mature as Owen’s faith does. Coincidence is emplaced to connect Owen to a supernatural being, capable of firmly believing in his destiny. Irving places small tidbits of information throughout the novel to allude to his connection to Jesus Christ. Not only is Owen chosen to portray Jesus in the Christmas pageant as well as the ghost of Christmas, but he is chosen to be somewhat of a disciple during the Vietnam War. Never given the opportunity to fight, he conveys a sense of peace and discretion when dealing with others. These facts signify Irving’s ability to convey Owen as a higher being, who has the ability to grasp a firm sense of his own faith.
The final chapter of the novel solidifies Owen Meany’s faith journey by completing what I like to call his circle of fate. Owen’s foreshadowed death can be linked to his belief in fate, but his destiny unravels to be elegantly connected by Irving. Owen is killed in the act of selflessly helping a group of Vietnamese children. This reveals Owen’s true ability to disregard all prejudice and hate, as Christ did. The connection that completes Irving’s circle of fate is that Owen had notified his killer, Dick Tarvit’s family of his Dick’s brother’s death when serving in his peaceful army action. Irving creates this sense of fate so well that it completes the theme of religion.
Fate is linked to faith through all actions and decisions made through by Owen Meany. Irving creates his character to symbolize a connection between the two similar beliefs. These examples of Owen’s dependence in fate help to solidify the control of a higher being.
dibs on editing!
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