Enhance meaning using various literary concepts

Essay by kittie_kat08High School, 12th gradeA+, February 2007

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The meaning of a piece of work is the most important aspect of the creator's work. "A Prayer for Owen Meany" by John Irving and "The English Patient" by Michael Ondaatje are two terrific novels that deals with religion, friendship and love that leaves you begging for more. The relationship between the form of the novel and the meaning is that the forms help create/enhance the meaning. The Form of the novel is what helps create and enhance the theme within the novel. The form and purpose of a text generate meaning. In this case the form in which the novel is written and the different elements used to develop theme help understand the meaning. The structure, setting, perspective and character are a few of the elements that help create meaning. Without these elements it's hard to get an understanding of the meaning of a text. To also know the meaning of a text you also need to know the purpose in which the author is trying to convey.

When reading two-piece of writing, there are always differences and similarities that one might encounter in term of the narrative elements and literary devices. Although the two novels are written by two different authors and have two different meaning, there are many similarities within the novels. Both John Irving and Michael Ondaatje use appropriate patterns and structuring devices to influence and even enhance meaning using various literary concepts. Comparing and contrasting literary concepts such as characters development of major characters within the novel, symbols of bodies and themes of religion, and nationality and identity and how they contribute to the meaning of the novels.

A Prayer for Owen Meany is a novel about the lives of two boys and their journey to find faith and to discover their destiny.