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A Prayer For Owen Meany Analysis

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The most significant theme in the book A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving is the noticeable lack of arms and digits on many of the items and characters. The first time we notice this is when Owen gives Johnny back the armadillo with its front claws removed. Owen justifies doing this because he believes “GOD HAS TAKEN YOUR MOTHER. MY HANDS WERE THE INSTRUMENT. GOD HAS TAKEN MY HANDS. I AM GOD'S INSTRUMENT”. Owen is implying that God is using his hands to accomplish things that are destined to happen, hence taking the armadillo claws. Tabithas dressmakers dummy also doesn’t have any arms. This item is different from the armadillo in that Owen mistakes it for the angel of death, which makes him believe he's interrupted the angels work, leading

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