In the novel 'A Prayer for Owen Meany', John Irving's design was for Owen Meany's and Johnny Wheelright's association to be viewed as an uncharacteristic and anomalous Great Teacher - student relationship. This is a crucial part of the novel because it is the author's intent for the reader to become aware of Owen as the second Christ figure at the climax.

"NOW I KNOW WHY YOU HAD TO BE HERE, DO YOU SEE WHY?'

The relationship between the protagonist and the Great teacher is one in which one character compliments the other. What one character lacks, the other has. In essence, the two are two equal parts of a whole. They are in other words, symbolic of Yin and Yang. The protagonists in most case represent the Yin: calm and feminine. The guiding figure represents Yang: the masculine and brighter character. Yin and Yang also compliment each other and together from the perfect whole. The great teacher and the apprentice form the complete circle. Yang is the tendency to gather; yin is the tendency to disperse. Yin and yang is an original binary language in which all life and creation is understood as a unified whole. We may use it to explore the dynamic equilibrium that unifies apparently opposite values: east and west, traditional and modern, spiritual and material, male and female, master and apprentice.

Irony is used to illustrate the symbiosis of Owen's and Johnny's relationship. There are several examples of this which support the view of the uncharacteristic relationship. As a result of their relationship, Johnny, the non-believer, becomes a minister. This is an ironic consequence of Johnny's life before Owen's death. The loss of Owen's arms may also be seen as ironic as they were the instrument responsible for Tabitha's death. Our expectation of a hero is not a high-voiced, short, baby-faced child. It is ironic that these very qualities were instrumental in Owen's ability to have children respond quickly to him instead of reacting in panic. The many hours spent perfecting the shot was an exercise in faith. When it counted, they were able to complete the most important shot of all. It is ironic that the reason for practicing at all had nothing to do with basketball.

The Great teacher is seen in literature as a character in which the protagonist can "live-up" to and spend his lifetime learning from. He is also someone who guides the apprentice throughout the story. For example, in the novel 'The Alchemist', Santiago is guided along his journey by the alchemist who encourages and motivates him to achieve his personal legend. He teaches Santiago about the path to fulfilling his personal legend and about trials he must endure along the journey. An example of the alchemist's teachings is, "Before a dream is realized, the soul of the world tests everything that was learned along the way. It does this not because it is evil, but so that we can, in addition to reali

Some common words found in the essay are:
Owen's Johnny's, Yin Yang, Owen Meany, , P133 Santiago, P135 Santiago, Alchemist' Santiago, Irving P313, Owen Christ, Jesus Christ, owen meany, yin yang, prayer owen, personal legend, throughout literature, owen's johnny's, owen's johnny's relationship, owen meany', story example, 'a prayer, teacher student, yin calm feminine, 'a prayer owen, throughout story example, prayer owen meany',
Approximate Word count = 1719
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)