“Owen Meany believed that “coincidence” was a stupid, shallow refuge sought by stupid, shallow people who were unable to accept the fact that their lives were shaped by a terrifying and awesome design – more powerful and unstoppable than the Yankee Flyer. (a train)”
Explore This Quote Further
Quote Analysis
In this quote from John Irving's novel "A Prayer for Owen Meany," the character Owen Meany expresses his belief that the concept of "coincidence" is a weak explanation for the events and occurrences in our lives. Instead, Owen Meany believes that our lives are guided by a grander, more mysterious design that is beyond our control. By comparing this design to a powerful and unstoppable force like a train, Meany emphasizes the idea that fate plays a significant role in shaping our destinies. This quote challenges readers to consider the idea of fate and the role it plays in their own lives.
The concept of coincidence according to Owen Meany
In this quote from John Irving's novel "A Prayer for Owen Meany," the character Owen Meany challenges the idea of coincidence, believing that events in life are part of a larger, predetermined design. This belief can be seen as a reflection of a modern relevance in the sense that it prompts individuals to consider the idea of fate and destiny shaping their lives. It encourages a deeper reflection on the interconnectedness of events and the possibility of a greater plan at work. This perspective invites individuals to find meaning and purpose in their experiences, rather than attributing everything to mere chance or coincidence.
Quote from John Irving's "A Prayer for Owen Meany"
In this quote from John Irving's novel "A Prayer for Owen Meany," the character Owen Meany expresses his belief that life is not shaped by mere coincidence, but rather by a powerful and unstoppable design.
"Owen Meany believed that “coincidence” was a stupid, shallow refuge sought by stupid, shallow people who were unable to accept the fact that their lives were shaped by a terrifying and awesome design – more powerful and unstoppable than the Yankee Flyer."
Reflection Questions
Reflecting on this quote from the character Owen Meany in John Irving's novel, consider the following questions:
- Do you believe in the concept of coincidence or do you think that events in our lives are part of a greater design?
- How does your perspective on life events shape your beliefs about fate and destiny?
- Have you ever experienced a moment in your life that made you question whether there was a greater design at work?
Similar quotes
“This was not of the nature of a Christlike lesson for Owen Meany to learn, as he lay in the manger, that someone you hate can give you a hard-on.”
“Anyone can be sentimental about the nativity; any fool can feel like a Christian at Christmas. But Easter is the main event; if you don’t believe in the resurrection, you’re not a believer."“If you don’t believe in Easter,” Owen Meany said. “Don’t kid yourself—Don’t call yourself a Christian.”
“Owen meany who rarely wasted words and who had the conversation-stopping habit of dropping remarks like coins into a deep pool of water... remarks that sank, like truth, to the bottom of the pool where they would remain untouchable.”
“...but I suddenly realized what small towns are. They are places where you grow up with the peculiar -- you live next to the strange and the unlikely for so long that everything and everyone become commonplace. My cousins were both small-towners and outsiders; they had not grown up with Own Meany, who was so strange to them that he inspired awe - yet they were no more likely to fall upon him, or to devise ways to torture him, than it was likely for a herd of cattle to attack a cat.”
“And in our Scripture class, Owen said, "IT'S TRUE THAT THE DISCIPLES ARE STUPID - THEY NEVER UNDERSTAND WHAT JESUS MEANS, THEY'RE A BUNCH OF BUNGLERS, THEY DON'T BELIEVE IN GOD AS MUCH AS THEY WANT TO BELIEVE, AND THEY EVEN BETRAY JESUS. THE POINT IS, GOD DOESN'T LOVE US BECAUSE WE'RE SMART OR BECAUSE WE'RE GOOD. WE'RE STUPID AND WE'RE BAD AND GOD LOVES US ANYWAY - JESUS ALREADY TOLD THE DUMB-SHIT DISCIPLES WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN. "THE SON OF MAN WILL BE DELIVERED INTO THE HANDS OF MEN, AND THEY WILL KILL HIM..." REMEMBER? THAT WAS IN MARK, RIGHT?""Yes, but let's not say "dumb-shit disciples" in class, Owen," Mr. Merrill said.”
“I am doomed to remember a boy with a wrecked voice. Not because of his voice, or because he was the smallest person I ever knew, or even because he was the instrument of my mother's death, but because he is the reason I believe in God. I am a Christian because of Owen Meany.”