Meaning of Owen's Painting

The large abstract painting that hangs in Owen's dorm room symbolizes Owen's unique combination of intellectual and athletic passions. In terms of composition, this painting consists of "a large rectangle, smeary and green, with thin white streaks that could easily have marked the foul lines of a baseball diamond" (22). It turns out that the painting was created by Owen himself and is meant to recall the work of renowned abstract artist Mark Rothko; the painting also recalls a baseball field and naturally brings to mind Owen's status as a powerful hitter. It is worth noting that, of all Owen's possessions, this painting is one of the items that most captivates Henry; as a work that recalls the sport that the two roommates cherish, the painting may also be understood as a symbol of the bond between Henry and Owen.