Themes Of A Prayer For Owen Meany

2. Setting

• The setting of A Prayer for Owen Meany is mostly in Gravesend, New Hampshire from 1952 to 1968. The other setting is in Toronto, 1987. The book constantly shifts settings and time periods every few pages. The time frame is a very important aspect as we see many things happen that impact not only the characters in the story, but the country as a whole. These events include, the assignation of President Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe’s death, The Vietnam war, MLK’s assignation, and of course in 1987, John takes a lot of time discussing his issues with Ronald Raegan.

• The setting in Gravesend, New Hampshire reflects a very dreary, rainy, dark kind of place where most of the book takes place. The time period, where a lot of tragic things

There are many references to sexual feelings between the two, despite being first cousins. Throughout her childhood she holds many angry emotions that involve sexual, mental, and physical ones. Later on, Owen and Hester become romantically involved.

Harriet Wheelwright: John’s grandmother who lives at 80 Front Street in Gravesend. After Tabby dies, she looks out for John and he spends most of his days living there.

Dan Needham: John’s stepfather. Married Tabby shortly before she died. He works at Gravesend Academy as a drama teacher and is a father figure to John and in part, Owen as well.

• As in any novel, characters begin to change as the plot progresses. Catastrophic events such as the death of his mother and best friend lead to major changes in John Wheelwright. John doesn’t find his belief in God overnight.

“…But he is the reason I found God” (pg 1)

In this quote, John is referring to Owen Meany as the reason he found God. His opinion of Owen changes and progresses throughout the book. When his friend dies, John doesn’t doubt religion like he did previously. John also develops a strong hatred for the U.S. and moves to Canada. Owen is the other main character who we see develop as the story progresses. In the beginning, before he hits that foul ball, he is still strong in his religious faith; but not compared to afterwards. Following that event, Owen starts having dreams about his death and has a theory that he is God’s human instrument on