In the novel "In One Person" by John Irving, a powerful scene unfolds when the narrator observes an oxygen tank in a disarrayed room that used to serve as Atkins's study. This setting, now filled with reminders of mortality, has been transformed into a makeshift space for a deathwatch. The previous purpose of the room contrasts sharply with its current state, highlighting the themes of life, death, and change that permeate the narrative.

This stark image symbolizes a moment of reflection, illustrating how the environment of the characters evolves in resonance with their personal struggles. The use of an oxygen tank suggests a focus on the fragility of life and the imminent challenges related to health and existence, encapsulating the emotional weight that Irving's writing often carries.