No Coincidence

A coincidence is an occurrence of events that happen at the same time by accident but seem to have some connection. Owen makes it clear in A Prayer for Owen Meany that he does not believe in coincidences. He faithfully believes that every event in his life happens for a reason and not by accident. Owen’s belief in a predestined purpose and his faith to act on that purpose shows that fate is greater than freewill. 

Throughout A Prayer for Owen Meany, there are many doubles; one of these includes Owen playing baby Jesus in the Christmas pageant and Owen’s parents believing that he is another Christ-child. These doubles help to enforce the idea that there is no such thing as a coincidence. Another one of these doubles is Owen’s vision of his death date and his actual death. The death date Owen saw was no coincidence; it turned out to be his actual date of his death. Owen never doubted that the death date he saw was wrong. Owen also always refers to himself as God’s instrument, which shows that he believes in something greater than him that controls his destiny.

Owen’s belief that he is God’s instrument also demonstrates the large amount of faith that he has in the plan set out for his life. An important double that shows this is Owen’s recurring dream and how his death actually plays out. Owen has so much faith that his dream will actually occur that he plans for it. It would be understandable that Owen plans for this event if it was a good occurrence, but the event in Owen’s dream is his own death. You would think that he would try to avoid his death, but he accepts it; he even goes as far as trying to help it happen, such as when he practices shooting with John. Also, Owen’s dream takes place in a warm climate with foreign children, so naturally he thought it would happen in Vietnam. Because of this, he constantly tries to be deployed in Vietnam only to be rejected and forced to serve in the United States. Little did he know that his death would actually occur in his home country.

Owen tries to set up how he thinks his death will play out, but despite his efforts his death played out exactly how it was meant to. The difference between Owen’s perception of his dream and the reality of his death shows how fate was in control the entire time. Owen’s knowledge of and willingness to follow his destiny demonstrates how fate is stronger than mans’ will.