In A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving, the protagonist Johnny experiences outward conformity while questioning himself internally throughout his life. An example of cowardice, Johnny uses passive aggression and the voices of others to cover up his inability to take a stand. Johnny's tendency to silently ask questions without taking action creates the trait of cowardice that dominates his character throughout the novel. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay It is said that “actions, not words, create change.” Johnny, although inwardly critical of the Vietnam War, not only took no action to create change, but did not even express his feelings. In an era dominated by protests, rallies and demonstrations, Johnny could not even bring himself to express his distaste for the war, expressing that "even when the Anglicans asked me what I thought of the 'old point of view » from Prime Minister Pearson… In fact, I said I agreed! Yet, Eve – as I confessed – I had never met a harsh deserter, not one” (463). The generation of Vietnamese soldiers, upon returning to America, worked to create an America that supported and listened to those who previously had not been listened to. Arizona Senator John McCain is just one example. McCain, dissatisfied with the war and the treatment of those who served, ran for office to combat these issues with more productive policies. Johnny never shared his opinion, much less took action to combat the societal problems he saw. Because Johnny was internally critical of the Vietnam War, but took no action to create change, he was a coward. Before the Vietnam War, Johnny conformed to agreeing with his classmates within the Academy, leaving the questioning to Owen and The Voice. . “I did or tried to do everything Owen did” (287), Johnny said, dependent on Owen's outspokenness due to his inability to use language and speak well. As Johnny struggled throughout his educational career to achieve success in English, reading, and writing, he was willing to give Owen the authority to speak on his behalf. “The Voice was our voice; he defended our causes; he made us proud of ourselves in an atmosphere that demeaned and intimidated us” (295). Johnny depended on Owen to vocally question events and norms, even though Johnny shared the same critiques and questions about society as Owen. Johnny was too cowardly and simply lacked the confidence and ability to say it. He was content with conformity, without ever expressing his true feelings. Thus, the inner criticism and outer conformity spurred by his dependence on Owen and his struggle in English made Johnny a coward. Johnny is also a coward because he cared more about impressing people than standing up for his own beliefs. This standard led him to a life of inner criticism and outer conformity. “I never actually said – to any of my Canadian friends – that I suspected these deserters were no more likely to become 'public charges' than I was. At this point Canon Campbell introduced me to old Teddybear Kilgore, who had hired me to teach at Bishop Strachan. We wheelwrights have always benefited from our relationships” (463). While working in a church and devoting his life to teaching English and the value of Christ, Johnny preaches morality and Christian superiority. However, this.