Irving's novel delves into the significance of gender roles within American culture. Jenny's independence as a woman faces criticism from both her family and society at large. During the 1940s, it was rare for young women to live independently. For example, when Jenny stabs a soldier in the movie theater, it is immediately presumed she has a relationship with him. Jenny rejects the idea that a woman must be "either somebody's wife or somebody's whore." In fact, Jenny possesses some traits typically labeled as masculine: she is strong, direct, and determined. This is clear when her lack of a husband doesn't stop her from becoming pregnant. Her refusal to let society define her by her gender sparks significant controversy and ultimately leads to her assassination.

In contrast, Jenny's son, Garp, challenges traditional gender norms. Despite his masculine nature, Garp assumes the conventionally female role of domestic caretaker. While Helen works, Garp manages the cleaning, cooking, and childcare. Although this setup is practical (as Garp can also write while handling household tasks), the role of "househusband" was unusual during that era. Lastly, the character of Roberta Muldoon showcases the most dramatic gender reversal in the novel. This former football player finds genuine happiness in living as a woman.

Irving's novel ends with the phrase, "in the world according to Garp, we are all terminal cases." This highlights Irving's fascination with the absurdity and unpredictability of violence and death. Throughout The World According to Garp, the author often narrates the deaths of characters soon after they are introduced. Garp's conception occurs among dying and injured men in the intensive care unit of Boston Mercy. As a child, he suffers a disfigurement when a dog named Bonkers bites off part of his ear. Garp is disgusted by the self-harm of the Ellen Jamesians, yet he shows more empathy towards the gender reassignment surgeries undergone by Roberta Muldoon. The family experiences trauma from a car accident that results in Walt's death. In the same accident, Duncan loses an eye, and Michael Milton is gravely injured. Later in the story, the concept of the Under Toad is presented. The Under Toad, a pun on "undertow," serves as the Garps' code word for an overwhelming feeling of dread. Garp "senses" the Under Toad when he receives a call in Austria about Jenny's murder. Near the novel's conclusion, Garp himself is assassinated. The epilogue then chronicles the deaths of most of the remaining characters, tying up nearly all loose ends.

The World According to Garp explores different types of love. The relationship between parents and children is first shown through Jenny and Garp, and later through Helen and Garp with their own kids. Garp's love for his children is so strong that he becomes overly protective. Irving also examines the love between spouses. Garp and Helen have a profound love that helps their marriage withstand several challenges. The book also emphasizes several caring friendships; for instance, Garp and Roberta Muldoon develop a close and affectionate bond.

The novel further investigates the theme of lust. Garp sees his mother as somewhat cold because she lacks lust, but Jenny recognizes that lust can often lead to trouble. She takes care of many women at Dog's Head Harbor who have suffered due to lust. Lust also affects Garp personally. He contracts gonorrhea in Austria after a careless encounter with American tourists, and his marriage is threatened by brief affairs with babysitters. Ultimately, Helen's lust leads to an affair that nearly tears their family apart.

The novel places a strong focus on Garp's journey as a writer and the challenges he...

While certain scenes in The World According to Garp are marked by violence, the novel frequently adopts a humorous tone. The fundamental principles Garp seeks to establish in his life and writings are justice, fairness, and love. A key theme is the difficulty of maintaining these ideals in a world prone to extremism and unpredictable violence. Similar to Irving's other novels, one proposed solution is the cultivation and preservation of family. Jenny Fields is depicted as a nurturing mother, and Garp as a caring father, implying that raising children with care could be a safeguard against disorder.

Although Garp and his wife Helen engage in infidelity during the novel, Irving clearly demonstrates that their dedication to each other is deep and lasting.

A lighter theme explored is the confusion between illusion and reality. Irving demonstrates this by having his main character write a novel within the novel itself. The World According to Bensenhaver is the work of T. S. Garp, and this story within a story serves to remind readers that perceptions of reality can differ, making it challenging to maintain order. In the end, Garp is unable to shield his children or himself from danger.

The World According to Garp unfolds as a sprawling and episodic narrative, centered around the vibrant and occasionally roguish life of its protagonist, the illegitimate son of Jenny Fields. This novel, quintessentially a Bildungsroman, intricately weaves the journey of a writer’s formation, offering an insightful glimpse into John Irving’s portrayal of the artist. The story unfolds through a series of episodes, each symbolizing attempts to conquer the ominous "Under Toad" of death and obscurity. Initially, Garp seeks to achieve this through his craft, believing that writing an immortal novel is the ultimate path to significance.

However, as the narrative progresses, Garp arrives at a profound realization: the search for meaning in life transcends literary immortality. He begins to embrace a form of Aurelian stoicism, tailored to his personal journey. This philosophy involves rising above personal suffering and striving for a harmonious existence with the natural world. Jenny, Garp's mother, embodies this stoic wisdom instinctively, while Garp learns it through his own trials and tribulations.

The motif of the "Under Toad," subtly woven into the narrative of The Pension Grillparzer, initially surfaces through the depiction of Duna, a trained bear whose descent into a state of toothlessness and clawlessness renders it both harmless and obsolete. This bear's fate, symbolic of lost ferocity and vitality, parallels the overarching theme of decline and obsolescence. Similarly, Vienna, the backdrop for Aurelius’s demise, embodies a city stripped of hope, a once-grand locale now languishing in its inability to reclaim past glory. This urban decay mirrors the protagonist Garp's formative experiences, setting the stage for his journey through a world that feels equally diminished and corrupt.