A Prayer for Owen Meany Family Quotes Page 1
| Quote #1 She appeared to want nothing from life but a child and a loving husband; it is important to note these singulars—she did not want children, she wanted me, just me, and she got me; she did not want men in her life, she wanted a man, the right man, and shortly before she died, she found him. (2.3) |
We see examples throughout the novel that show us how strong John's relationship with his mother is. Even though his birth is unplanned, she loves him utterly and completely. John has a remarkable relationship with his whole family – his family life is secure and loving both in good times and bad.
| Quote #2 His name was Dan Needham. How many times I have prayed to God that he was my real father! (2.14) |
John is totally right. Dan's the man. Step-parents tend to get a bad rap in literary depictions, but John knows that Dan is a better dad to him than any other birth father could ever be.
| Quote #3 "They're sort of hard to control—my cousins," I said. "That's the problem." "YOU MAKE THEM SOUND LIKE WILD ANIMALS," Owen said. "They are—kind of," I said. (2.245-247) |
At the beginning of the novel, John's relationship with his cousins is based on fear. Throwing Owen into the mix totally changes the dynamic though – all of a sudden the Eastman kids calm down, partly because Owen freaks them out so much.
