Beginning of Essay
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving has many different motifs. One dominant motif is armlessness. Armlessness was a reoccurring motif throughout the story and came up in many occasions. It seems to symbolize helplessness or being under your own control. The ....

Middle of Essay
.... and he wasn’t in control of himself, but was the instrument of God. His hands were not his own. Though the armadillo never recovered from the declawing, it had mended John and Owen’s friendship and helped ease some of the pain of that situation. The statue of Mary Magdalene sat in front of a concrete arch. “She was like a goalie protecting her goal,” John had noted. Owen had sawn off her arms when he was expelled from Gravesend Academy. This might also symbolize Owen’s helplessness, not being able to change what had happened. When the statue is returned John notes that she is unable to protect her goal. Alm ....