In what situations in The Art of Racing in the Rain is the quote below true and not true? That which we manifest is before us; we are the...

There are a
few events in the book that emphasize the values inherent in the quote above.

Possibly the best example pertains to the havoc Annika causes in Denny's life through
her false rape accusation. On a winter trip to Methow Valley, Enzo worries that no good will
come from Annika's disturbing infatuation with Denny. Note Enzo's thoughts about this:

Denny was ignorant of her advances; I don't know if it was
deliberate or not, but he certainly acted as if he hadn't a clue.

Enzo clearly defines his fears when Denny lets Annika stay at his home for the night.
Annika makes sexual overtures to an exhausted Denny, but he repels the fifteen-year-old
temptress resolutely. Frustrated by his rejection, Annika eventually accuses Denny of molesting
her. So, be it "through intention or ignorance," the narrator proclaims that we are
ultimately the master of our own fates. Yet, Enzo extrapolates that the "true hero is
flawed."

The true test of a champion is not whether
he can triumph, but whether he can overcome obstacles -preferably of his own making-in order to
triumph.

Enzo makes allowances for human fallibility and
hypothesizes that the true hero can overcome failures that result from his own ignorance or
intentions. He believes that Denny could have avoided his predicament but instead, chose to
"test his mettle" in a battle of his own making. So, while Annika's false rape
accusation sets off a chain of events that lead to Denny being temporarily incarcerated and
losing custody of Zoe, it is ultimately Denny's perseverance and steadfast character that saves
him from self-destructing.

Because of his exemplary lifestyle, Denny
eventually wins visitation rights. He is able to see Zoe and to reassure her that he is doing
everything he can to make sure that they will be a family again. Denny's actions reaffirm Enzo's
"faith in the balance of the universe." In a supervised meeting with Annika, Denny
pleads his case and asks Annika to consider the ramifications of her fury. During the exchange,
Denny is compassionate, eloquent, and considerate. He reassures Annika that his rejection was in
no way a repudiation of her person.

In the end, Annika drops her false rape
accusation against Denny. Because of his actions, Denny emerges victorious; his tenacity
obliterates the previous difficulties that were caused by his own "intention or
ignorance."

As for any examples that nullify your quote, consider
exploring the themes of death and reincarnation in the book. Essentially, no matter what we do,
none of us can escape death. Eve dies despite her doctor's care, and Enzo's death shows that
living beings are helpless in the face of organic decay. Yet, events in thesuggest that
reincarnation, if attainable, is one way human beings can transcend death. However, remember
that reincarnation is beyond human intervention or ignorance; thus it nullifies the values
inherent in the quote you provided above.