Narrator and best friend to Owen Meany, John Wheelwright undergoes significant changes due to Owen’s influence. As a child, he is reserved and unassuming, with no remarkable abilities or talents. Though he is curious about his absent father, his admiration of his mother leads him not to press the issue. Throughout their adolescence, John shares Owen’s interest in baseball but is not highly passionate about it. Likewise, though he attends church and receives a religious upbringing, he does not truly possess any meaningful faith in God—unlike Owen. John frequently finds himself complying with Owen’s wishes without question. He feels a protectiveness of Owen, evident when he is unwilling to introduce Owen to his roughhousing cousins, who could physically injure Owen.

As they age, John’s friendship with Owen grows increasingly closer and John recognizes the ways in which Owen is prone to sacrifice for the sake of their friendship. For example, despite the opportunity to attend an Ivy League institution, Owen insists on attending the state university to remain with John. John harbors a small degree of guilt for this, but knows that Owen will not be swayed when he makes up his mind. Not blessed with great academic skills, John makes his way through both high school and college thanks to Owen’s constant tutoring and assistance with John’s schoolwork.