John Irving begins his novel with one of the most iconic introductory lines in modern literature; presenting a character who is a great source of pain and anguish, and yet is the ultimate source of the narrator's belief in God (Irving 3). It is in this paradoxical feeling that the theme of the book is born, which follows it is a journey unlike all others. John Wheelwright, the narrator, tells the story of his best friend Owen Meany and the effect he had on John's own life, while simultaneously introducing into the plot information about the event in the world that surrounds him and his connection with Owen. Through the use of sporadic but continuous plot development, John Irving develops a self-proclaimed Christ-like character whose life, actions, and being directly influence the development of those around him; ultimately conveying a total feeling of belief in disbelief. Irving uses a non-linear plot style to tell the story of Owen's life, accomplishing two things: he gives the reader insight into John Wheelwright's mental state and his slow digression, and makes the reader a experiences events not in the order in which they occurred, but rather in the order of their memories. By accomplishing these two things, Irving develops a biographical and believable plot that has incredible suspense; as the reader doesn't get key details of the setting and plot until later in the book. Owen Meany is presented as an analogue of Christ in the text (Peterson). Irving makes this obvious by offsetting Owen's speech in capital letters, in the same way that most Bible translations offset Jesus' speech in red. He is an unlikely hero in the lives of those around him, both directly and indirectly. Even without considering the penultimate scene of Owen's sacrifice, it is middle of paper...... Critical Approaches to Literature. 3rd ed. New York: Oxford UP, 1992. Home – School of Communication and Information – Rutgers University. Rutgers and Web. February 27, 2011. Hagen, Edward H. Nonbizarre Delusions as Strategic Deception. Publication. Vancouver: Washing State University, 2007. Washington State University, Vancouver, August 2007. Web. February 27, 2011. Irving, John. A Prayer for Owen Meany: A Novel. New York: Ballantine, 2009. Print. Kazin, Alfred. “A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving.” Reverend from A Prayer for Owen Meany. The New York Times March 12, 1989, Late City Final Edition ed., sec. 7:1. Books. New York Times. Internet. February 27, 2011.Marauder. “Introduction to the final literature exam.” Millersville University, nd Web. February 27, 2011. Peterson, Eugene H. “Writers and Angels: Witnesses to Transcendence.” Theology Today, October 1994: 396-98. Internet. February 27. 2011.