Character Analysis
Mr. Meany is Owen's dad. He runs a granite quarry in Gravesend. Every time he sees John, from childhood to adulthood, Mr. Meany exclaims, "why, it's Johnny Wheelwright!" Mr. Meany is proud of his property and despises Gravesend Academy because the school tried to get permission to have the river widened for the benefit of the crew team – a move that would cut into Mr. Meany's land. Mr. Meany usually lets Owen boss him around.