Inundate of Identities
Do people really know themselves? Do they struggle with or hide their true identity from the world, or wear it proud? Each character in the novel A Prayer for Owen Meany by Jon Irving have a notable identity; however, John, Tabitha and Owen have outstanding distinctiveness that contribute to the theme of identity in the novel. Johnny struggles with his identity multiple times in the novel. The whole book is told in retrospect, but it seems as if Johnny is still seeking his identity and believes he will miraculously find it recalling the past with Owen. What does that say about Johnny as a character and his dependency on Owen? When Johnny is younger he never has excellent grades; but, Owen promises Tabitha, Johnny’s mother, that he will watch after Johnny and help him with his school work. When Johnny wants to attend Gravesend Academy a prestigious school he has to repeat one year of school over. Owen decides to repeat it with him, even though Owen is in the top of his class and could definitely start his school year at the academy. Johnny has trouble reading and it can be inferred that he has dyslexia. Owen helps him understand that how to cope and deal with his particular problem. Once Johnny has a grasp on reading, he becomes an excellent reader. Even in the future he is an English teacher that presses his students to truly understand the novel they are analyzing. Instead of getting drafted, Johnny confesses to Owen that he is too cowardice to run away, but does not want to go to war. This is a point in Johnny’s life where the reader truly realizes that other characters make …show more content…
(9-10).