A Prayer for Owen Meany Characters

Character Name	Description
Owen Meany	A small, smart boy with a strange voice and strong faith. He believes he is an instrument of God.
John Wheelwright	Owen’s best friend and the novel’s narrator. He struggles with questions about faith.
Dan Needham	John’s kind stepfather who works as a drama teacher.
Tabitha Wheelwright	John’s mother, who dies tragically. She is a loving and mysterious figure.
Rev. Merrill	A religious man who battles with his own faith and secrets.
Hester Eastman	John’s strong-willed and rebellious cousin. She has a complicated relationship with Owen.
Aunt Martha	John’s caring and strict aunt who looks after the family.
Mr. Fish	John’s neighbor with a colorful past and many stories to share.
Mr. Chickering	The funeral director who has a connection with the family.
Lydia	John’s family’s maid who becomes paralyzed later in life.
Harold Crosby	A classmate of John and Owen who often causes trouble.
Mr. Meany	Owen’s reserved and distant father who works at the quarry.
Mrs. Meany	Owen’s overly protective mother who keeps secrets about Owen’s birth.
Mr. Morrison	The basketball coach who interacts with Owen and John at the academy.
Mr. Fishburn	The headmaster at Gravesend Academy.
Mr. Brinker-Smith	A teacher at Gravesend Academy who catches Owen in a compromising moment.
Mr. White	An instructor at the academy who teaches Owen and John.
Larry Lish	A student who frequently bullies Owen.
Mrs. Wheelwright	John’s stern and judgmental grandmother.
Canon Mackie	A religious authority figure who interacts with Owen.
Mary Beth Baird	A classmate who has a brief romantic connection with Owen.
Major Rawls	The imposing leader of the ROTC program at Gravesend Academy.
Edwin	Owen’s close military comrade.
Dick Jarvits	A troubled young soldier in Vietnam who meets Owen.
Barb Wiggins	A classmate who joins Owen and John in drama productions.
Coach Merrick	The demanding basketball coach at the academy.
Noah Eastman	John’s other cousin, known for being confident and athletic.
Simon Eastman	John’s cousin who is calm and reliable.
Mrs. Eastman	John’s strict aunt, married to Uncle Alfred.
Uncle Alfred	John’s imposing uncle with strong opinions.
Father Findley	A Catholic priest at Owen’s church.
Johnny Ives	A classmate and friend to Owen and John.
Harriet Wheelwright	John’s stern grandmother who has a complex relationship with Owen.
Dr. Dolder	The Swiss doctor who treats Owen for injuries.
Mr. Chickering’s Son	The son of the funeral director, who often interacts with the main characters.
Germaine	A housekeeper in the Wheelwright home.
Julia	A minor character involved in the funeral home services.
Mrs. Walker	A Gravesend Academy teacher with strict principles.
Eleanor	A girl who dates one of John’s cousins briefly.
Thomas Wheelwright	A distant family member mentioned in the family history.
Martha Wheelwright Jr.	Another minor Wheelwright family member.
Winifred	A guest at a family gathering in one scene.
Father Broderick	A religious figure who attends John’s family services.
Mr. Ashworth	A classmate with minimal involvement.
Jason Nichols	A minor character from the academy’s sports team.
Colonel Wixom	The head of the military academy, who interacts with the students.
Susie Merrill	The daughter of Reverend Merrill.
Mr. Tompkins	A gravesend academy janitor who has brief interactions with the students.
Buddy King	A minor student who often agrees with the majority.
Elaine	A girl who participates in school activities with John and Owen.
Daisy Needham	A family member of Dan, mentioned briefly in the story.
Gregory Gordon	A Gravesend Academy student who plays sports with John and Owen.
Natalie Reardon	A drama class member who admires Owen’s acting skills.
Roger Anderson	A student at the academy who often follows others’ lead.
Barry	A minor character who attends the same school.
Dr. Durette	The school’s doctor, who interacts with Owen and John.
Kathy Winslow	A girl who takes interest in Owen’s stories.
George Marcellus	A student who tries to outshine Owen in class.
Mr. Stark	A visiting lecturer at the academy.
Carl Bennett	A minor student who takes part in the school’s basketball team.
Carrie Danforth	A classmate who has a minor role in the drama play.
Lucas Finnigan	A distant character who makes a brief appearance in the story.
Marcus Daniels	A student who mocks Owen’s voice.
Jennifer Crosby	A sibling of Harold Crosby, involved minimally in the story.
Peter Gordon	A classmate who respects Owen’s determination.
Dennis Lacy	A Gravesend Academy student who participates in sports activities.
Uncle Theo	A relative of John’s family with strong opinions.
Father Flynn	A priest who interacts with the students.
Anne-Marie Eastman	The youngest of John’s cousins.
Jerome Eastman	A distant cousin, mentioned in passing.
Carl Bradlee	Another academy student who plays a minor role.
Jessie St. Pierre	A girl involved in the school’s activities.
Megan Reilly	A classmate with a small role in the play.
Mrs. Wilkes	An older resident in the community.
Mr. Johnson	The academy’s groundskeeper, with brief interactions.
Samuel Whitcomb	A student at the academy with minimal involvement.
Dr. Harding	A local doctor who is called in a few scenes.
Katie Harper	A neighbor who watches Owen’s activities.
Amanda Eastman	Another cousin of John, with limited appearances.
Susan Briggs	A family friend, mentioned briefly.
Michael Higgins	A classmate at the academy with little involvement.
Bobby Drake	A basketball player at Gravesend Academy.
Henry Jameson	A classmate who plays in the drama production.
Mrs. Finn	A local resident who attends church events.
Jerry MacIntyre	A minor character who plays in the school’s sports team.
Father O’Rourke	A visiting priest with brief involvement.
Mrs. Callahan	A woman who knows the Wheelwright family.
Jonathan Stokes	A student who often doubts Owen’s abilities.
Agnes Wilson	A neighbor who watches over the school grounds.
Ralph Newton	A student who has small disagreements with Owen.
Gene Matthews	A Gravesend Academy teacher who scolds Owen.
Amy Merrick	The coach’s daughter, involved in school events.
Dr. Parker	A school physician, who helps Owen after injuries.
Charles Kennedy	A minor classmate with a quiet personality.
Irene Gates	A local church member who prays with Owen.
Jimmy Bell	A student who mocks Owen but regrets it later.

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Lets Talk About the Character

A Prayer for Owen Meany characters are wonderfully diverse and complex. The main character, Owen, is small and wise, believing himself to be God’s tool. John, his best friend and our narrator, provides a thoughtful perspective. The other A Prayer for Owen Meany characters, like the fiery Hester or the caring Dan, add depth to the narrative.

Each character contributes to the story’s rich tapestry. From the stern Harriet to the doubting Reverend Merrill, A Prayer for Owen Meany characters make the novel a memorable read. Their interactions and growth shape the heart of John Irving’s tale.

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A Prayer for Owen Meany

A Prayer for Owen Meany Characters – Characters List