Owen Meany Blog, F Bell: due 2/12

"The Voice Crying Out In The Wilderness"

As kingfishers catch fire, dragonflies draw flame;
As tumbled over rim and roundy wells
Stones ring; like each tucked string tells, each hung bell's
Bow swung finds tongue to fling out broad its name;
Each mortal thing does one thing and the same;
Deals out that being indoors each one dwells;
Selves- goes itself, myself it speaks and spells,
Crying What I do is me: for that I came.

I say more : the just man justices;
Keeps grace: that keeps all his goings graces;
Acts in God's eye what in God's eye he is--
Christ. For Christ plays in ten thousand places,
Lovely in limbs, and lovely in eyes not his
To the Father through the features of men's faces.

- Gerard Manley Hopkins

This poem deals with the Calvinistic concept of predestination and the idea that all of of Owen's somewhat strange attributes have been presented to him for a specific purpose. In your response, analyze the literary devices used in the poem (allegory, theme, tone, etc.) and connect them with your own ideas about Owen acting as God's instrument, keeping in mind the different perceptions that the townspeople have about him as a result. Quotes are always delightful!

*This blog is being managed by Meera and Andrea.

B Bell Owen Meany- Grace and Emily Posted 1/29 due 2/5

A Prayer for Owen Meany is a classic example of a post modernism novel. Several characteristics of post modernism literature includes one's search for identity and truth, and the lack of a timeline which follows chronological order. Please give specific examples of how Owen Meany displays these aspects typical to post modernism.

Postmodernism by John and Tripp

The following poem was written by the postmodern poet John Wieners. Explore the conflicting parallelism presented by Wieners. What poetic devices (if any) are used? What makes the broken prose of Wieners' poem effective? Also explore the effectiveness of the poet's direct address to an unknown party.

"You Talk of Going But Don't Even Have a Suitcase"

(A series of Repetitions)

I will be an old man sometime
And will live in a dark room somewhere.

I will think of this night someplace
the rain falling on stone.

There will be no one near
no whisper on the street

only this song of old yearning
and the longing to be young

with you together on some street.

Now is the time for retreat,
This is the last chance.

This is not the last chance.
Why only yesterday I lay drugged
on the dark bed while they came
and went as the wind

and they shall come again
to bear me down into that pit
there is no returning from.

Old age, disaster, doom.

It shall be as this room.
With you by the sink, pinching your face

in the mirror.
Time is as a river

and I shall forget this night,
its joy.

B Bell- Owen Meany Blog, Posted on Jan. 22nd, due on Jan 29th

"God has taken your mother. My hands were the instrument. God has taken my hands. I am God's instrument." (87)


Owen claims that he is an extension of God Himself. This is an unusually profound and insightful thing for a child to say. It must be a heavy burden for Owen to bear as well, if he truly believes that God has sent him for a mission. Give examples of what affect Owen's belief has had on his childhood. Does he still retain youthful qualities, or is he more prone to adult-like tendencies? Use specific examples.


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