Summary Of A Prayer For Owen Meany

Through the plot of A Prayer for Owen Meany, John Wheelwright’s complex relationship with his mother mirrors the dynamics shown in Psychologist Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic concept: the Oedipus complex, with his friend Owen Meany assuming the role of the father figure. John seems to be infatuated with his mother, Tabitha, often describing her in ways simply inappropriate for a child to describe their mother. Furthermore, when Owen, who has a crush on her, describes her as having “THE BEST BREASTS”, John not only agrees but further elaborates on her beauty. Moreover, John’s attachment to his mother seems to manifest itself in unhealthy and competitive ways — paralleling the Oedipus complex — such as envy and resentment toward others who receive