During their high school years at Gravesend Academy, Owen has developed an obsession, ironically, for basketball. He has developed a special fixation on slam-dunking. Due to his height, he obviously cannot do this alone. Thus, he has developed a technique that involves a second person passing him the ball, then hoisting him above the hoop, allowing Owen to slam dunk the basketball. It is in Owen's mind crucial that he learn to master this technique in less than four seconds. Obviously, the second person is Johnny.
One day, when Owen and Johnny are practicing this maneuver, just as Johnny is about to hoist Owen, Owen says, "GOD HAS TAKEN YOUR MOTHER. MY HANDS WERE THE INSTRUMENT. GOD HAS TAKEN MY HANDS. I AM GOD'S INSTRUMENT." Johnny is so startled that he drops.....
This is a free excerpt of 135 words. This section contains 1,737 words. This
study guide contains 29,998 words (approx. 100 pages at 300
words per page).
Read the rest of this Literature Guide with our A Prayer for Owen Meany Access Pass.