A+Prayer+For+Owen+Meany

Group Members: Jackson L Evan H Sara M Charity W Conor G.
 * Gro F.




 * __A Prayer for Owen Meany__ Book Talk Agenda**


 * Discussion Facilitator:** Sara M

Sara is bringing cookies Charity is bringing brownies Jackson will bring some fine tea Conor will bring in a something to eat and some juice
 * Food and Drink Volunteers:**

A photo of Owen Meany from the feature film.


 * Plot Based Questions/Analysis:**
 * Factual and Clarifying Questions
 * Characters and Narration
 * Why does Irving use all capitals for everything Owen says?
 * Why is Harriet Wheelright (John's grandmother) so agitated by Owen's voice?
 * Does John ever feel bad for Owen? Why or why not?
 * Why does John's mother care for Owen as if it was her own son? Is it because she feels bad? Or is it because she just likes him as person for who he is?
 * Setting
 * What is the significance of the book being set in New England? How would the themes be affected if the story were instead set in, say, New York City or New Mexico?
 * What is the significance of the chosen time period? How were unmarried mothers seen during this time? Is the way Tabitha Wheelright treated along these same lines, or is she treated differently than other women?
 * Themes
 * Does Owen believe that God will help him as a person since he does not look like everyone else?
 * The morality of the American government
 * Predestination or free will?
 * Virginity
 * Style of Writing and Structure
 * What is the significance of the fact that John's narration of the past is much more passive and uninvolved than his verbose and opinionated persona of current times?
 * Why does Irving use flashbacks instead of chronological narration? Would it be possible to tell the same story effectively if time moved in more of a straight line?
 * Secondary Criticism and Commentary
 * How is Irving influenced by Hawthorne's __The Scarlet Letter__? Is Tabby ever treated differently because of her status as an unwed mother?
 * Does Irving intend for the red dress to act as Tabby's scarlet letter? How does the symbolism of the dress differ from that of the letter?
 * Notable Quotes
 * "I am Christian because of Owen Meany" (1).
 * Is John really Christian only because of Owen Meany? Are there any other factors that likely played into John's newfound piety? Can these factors all be linked to Owen?
 * "I was twenty-one and I was still a Joseph; I was a Joseph then, and I'm just a Joseph now" (439).
 * How does this association with Joseph factor into John's narration style and his dialogue with other characters? Does this "Joseph" persona explain why he doesn't get the girls? Is Owen Meany his Jesus?
 * "Owen Meany believed that 'coincidence' was a stupid, shallow refuge sought by stupid, shallow people who were unable to accept the fact that their lives were shaped by a terrifying and awesome design–more powerful and unstoppable than //The Flying Yankee//" (186).
 * Where does Owen get his absolute, unwavering faith in God? Is his belief in such definite predestination (one of our themes) shape his decision to save those dream children in 'nam? Why doesn't John share this viewpoint?

Owen and John in the feature film Simon Birch. Owen and John at a baseball game.



new york times review: http://www.nytimes.com/books/97/06/15/lifetimes/10212.html

A collage of significant objects from __A Prayer For Owen Meany__ A photo of the author relaxing.