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Elements Of A Prayer For Owen Meany

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Not all stories fit cleanly into a genre. John Irving’s A Prayer for Owen Meany seem like it could fit into multiple genres, but it best fits into realistic fiction. The book has all the main characteristics of realistic fiction. It could almost be inspirational fiction, but it is missing one key part.
First, realistic fiction typically involves a story whose setting is real and whose events could happen in a real-world setting. A Prayer for Owen Meany takes place in the mid 1900s, and the major events of the time occur throughout the story. One of the main focuses throughout the story is the Vietnam War. The war lasted from 1954-1975, and it plays a large role in Owen’s life. Owen serves as a soldier and sacrifices himself in order to save …show more content…

This genre is usually a heartwarming story of a faithful person who is trying to live morally and overcome adversity. Owen lives with his voice and size his entire life. He does not let that get in his way of accomplishing what he thinks he needs to do. Owen Meany is described as an extremely faithful person to God and to Johnny. He is willing to do anything for either of them. Owen not only tries to do what he thinks it right, but also gives advice to the people around him. For example, he tells Johnny that “IF [HE] [CARES] ABOUT SOMETHING, [HE] [HAS] TO PROTECT IT—IF [HE’S] LUCKY ENOUGH TO FIND A WAY OF LIFE [HE] [LOVES], [HE] [HAS] TO FIND THE COURAGE TO LIVE IT” (511-512). Owen wants to encourage Johnny to do what he wants to, even if it will take courage. Owen doesn’t want Johnny to miss out on an opportunity because he was afraid. When Johnny says that he’s just a reader, Owen tells him, “DON’T SOUND SO ASHAMED” (511). Not only does Owen overcome adversity himself, he helps others through it too.
Another part of inspirational fiction, is the fact that religious terms are not blatantly stated, or in other words, does not preach. The purpose of A Prayer for Owen Meany, is not to convert people to Christianity, but to tell a story. It is told by Johnny, who at the end begs God by asking, “O God—please give him back” (627)! Johnny misses Owen so much, and the impact that he had was so great, that Johnny wrote his story. Any religious terms that he uses are because they are necessary to tell the

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