Joseph In A Prayer For Owen Meany
In A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving, Johnny Wheelwright is chosen by Owen Meany to play the part of Joseph in the Christmas pageant. Because of this action, Johnny feels as if his fate is determined by Owen. When Dan Needham suggests that Johnny should take over Owen’s role as the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come in A Christmas Carol, Johnny refuses because of his permanent role as Joseph. Johnny refuses to take Owen’s role in the play and describes himself as “just a Joseph” (Irving 207). Johnny utilizes a metaphor when calling himself a Joseph to refer to how he presumes that the biblical Joseph is insignificant to the story of Jesus. This symbolizes how Johnny believes that he is just a follower of Owen, much like Joseph is a follower
of Jesus. Use of a metaphor also brings the story to life and makes it more interesting to the reader. Furthermore, this metaphor helps to give the audience a deeper understanding of Johnny’s reserved personality traits. The reader is also able to understand the complex relationship between Owen and Johnny throughout the novel. Irving utilizes a metaphor in his novel to demonstrate how Johnny often feels powerless and vulnerable in his childhood and adult life. Irving’s comparison of Johnny and Joseph also represents how Johnny is not in control of his own fate. Owen, who represents Jesus, and his actions always seem to determine Johnny’s future, such as when Owen accidentally kills his mom. Moreover, Owen is always saving Johnny by helping him with his schoolwork or keeping him out of the war draft. Through use of metaphor, Irving also establishes how Johnny is a foil to Owen. Owen is always the center of attention, while Irving describes Johnny’s life as being ordinary and even somewhat boring. Irving intensifies how Johnny is always in the background of major events, causing him to feel insignificant. The author also portrays how Owen’s power over Johnny and his inferiority causes slight jealousy and anger towards Owen.
of Jesus. Use of a metaphor also brings the story to life and makes it more interesting to the reader. Furthermore, this metaphor helps to give the audience a deeper understanding of Johnny’s reserved personality traits. The reader is also able to understand the complex relationship between Owen and Johnny throughout the novel. Irving utilizes a metaphor in his novel to demonstrate how Johnny often feels powerless and vulnerable in his childhood and adult life. Irving’s comparison of Johnny and Joseph also represents how Johnny is not in control of his own fate. Owen, who represents Jesus, and his actions always seem to determine Johnny’s future, such as when Owen accidentally kills his mom. Moreover, Owen is always saving Johnny by helping him with his schoolwork or keeping him out of the war draft. Through use of metaphor, Irving also establishes how Johnny is a foil to Owen. Owen is always the center of attention, while Irving describes Johnny’s life as being ordinary and even somewhat boring. Irving intensifies how Johnny is always in the background of major events, causing him to feel insignificant. The author also portrays how Owen’s power over Johnny and his inferiority causes slight jealousy and anger towards Owen.