Slob

Owen confronts and begins to develop an understanding for the concepts of revenge, acceptance, and forgiveness as he develops throughout the novel. Owen’s desire for revenge is based on trauma from the murder of his parents, a violent act that highlighted his powerlessness. Revenge represents an attempt to regain control in his life, and his obsession with revenge results in an inability to accept change. By contrast, Owen’s forgiveness represents a chance for healing, growth, and development.

Owen’s Nemesis device is an important symbol of retribution in the novel that blends two aspects of Owen’s response to the murder of his parents. Nemesis represents a compulsion to build, signifying his attempts to take back power and control, a reaction to his inability to save his parents. Built largely from scavenged parts, Owen’s project is an act of empowerment and his desperation to complete the project signifies the depth of his emotional trauma. Nemesis, through its name, is a symbol associated with the Greek goddess of retribution, and Owen’s compulsion to capture the murderer through Nemesis signifies that his desire is based on anger and vengeance rather than acceptance. Together, this symbolism makes his invention a representation of his inability to let go.

Nima provides an example of how to enact acceptance for Owen. He is observational and his presence is often silent. His ability to listen well and identify Owen’s distress makes him a therapeutic mentor who guides Owen toward a state of acceptance. His influence upon Owen is evident through the multiple allusions to the man’s perspective, which Owen uses to overcome the trials he faces. Nima’s influence is frequently couched in terms of his Tibetan heritage and Buddhist faith, guiding Owen to use the concept of karma as a mode of punishment for the unknown murderer. This leads to closure, acceptance, and ultimately forgiveness.

Forgiveness is the final aspect within this theme, and it relies heavily upon the concept of empathy. The author develops empathy in two main ways in the novel, through a motif of The Grotesque and by challenging Owen’s perspective. Mason’s grotesque characterization forces Owen to confront his own lack of acceptance and identify his mistaken assumptions. He achieves power through empathy by standing up for Mason during the climax of the novel rather than taking revenge on the murderer. This method of empowerment allows Owen to heal and forgive the murderer in a final act of empathy as signified by the final prayer at the conclusion of the novel.