What are the motifs in A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving?

While not wholly a theme, but rather a motif, armlessness and amputation is prevalent throughout the novel and vitally important to understanding the story. The first instance of armlessness within the novel exists within John’s narrative of his ancestor’s purchase of Gravesend from Watahantowet. Legend states that unable to read, Watahantowet signed the papers with an armless totem. Owen’s removal of the armadillo’s feet in a gesture meant to refer symbolically to Watahantowet’s totem. Additionally, Tabby’s dressmaker’s dummy is both headless and armless and Owen removes the head and arms from the Catholic’s statue of Mary Magdalene. Armlessness, as a symbol, evolves over the course of the novel. At first, armlessness is unacceptable.