Open Prompt #1986

1986. Some works of literature use the element of time in a distinct way. The chronological sequence of events may be altered, or time may be suspended or accelerated. Choose a novel, an epic, or a play of recognized literary merit and show how the author's manipulation of time contributes to the effectiveness of the work as a whole. Do not merely summarize the plot.

The novel A Prayer for Owen Meany uses a nonlinear narrative to reveal the characteristics of Owen Meany in order to reveal his characteristics gradually instead of at the beginning of the book. The book is set in the present from the perspective of John, Owen's best friend, but most of the book flashes back to when John and Owen were boys, and within those flashbacks are flashbacks to when John's mom was alive, since she died at the beginning of the book. These flashbacks show both how Owen influences John, and how John's mom influenced both of the boys.

In the present day, John is a teacher in Canada at an all girls' christian school. It isn't clear at first how he got to be there, but a huge factor is Owen Meany's influence on Johns' ideals and character. John wasn't very good in school as a boy, but Owen was the best student in his class. Once high school came around, Owen was invited to gravestone academy, a private school for better students. John, on the other hand, would only be invited if he spent his freshman year in public school and then entered the next year as a freshman again. Owen decided to do the same. John felt like Owen threw his chances away, but Owen wanted to help John get better grades and stick with his only friend. John did get better in school, and went on to college. Owen decided to join the army, which was very controversial, since it was right in the middle of the Vietnam War. Owen didn't want to ruin John's chance to finish school, so he cut off one of John's fingers at his dad's stone cutter to avoid the draft. If not for Owen's sacrifices and friendship, John wouldn't be where he is today.

John's mom dies at the very beginning of the novel to point out that even after she is gone, her presence is still with everyone she knew. We don't know anything about her before she dies except that she is very attractive , always wears sweaters, and doesn't tell John who his father is. John is positive that when she turned towards the stands at the baseball game, and Owen's ball hit her and killed her, that she was looking at his father. Owen shows his guilt later by chopping off the hands of their favorite toy armadillo, symbolizing how John's mom left an empty space in their lives. Later on, we discover that she makes her own clothes based on expensive ones at the store on a mannequin in black in white. Owen takes the mannequin to his house a while after she dies, since he still misses her. Also, as John and Owen continue their search for John's father, we discover how John's mom dated John's step dad for many years before marrying, since she wasn't married to John's dad. The boys find out that she sang at a club in a red dress, even though she never wore any color. Her mysterious past continues to draw the boys in long after her death. 

 If the narrative were linear, the characters would be less interesting and there wouldn't be much suspense about John's mom.  The reader has to think hard about what time each section is in, and realize why the author writes in that order.The nonlinear narrative in A Prayer for Owen Meany makes the novel more suspenseful and interesting.