Paper Towns Theme Essay

In the book Paper Towns by John Green, the reader learns many important themes. The main character Quentin tries to find his friend Margo, but he must figure out her clues. On the way to find her; he learns many lessons that become important to him. The themes of the story are don’t judge a book by it’s cover, real friends are forever, and always be yourself.

A theme of the story is do not judge a book by its cover. "[That has] always seemed so ridiculous to me, that people would want to be around someone because [they are] pretty. [It is] like picking your breakfast cereals based on color instead of taste" (37). This shows how people look at something and judge what it is worth by what it looks like rather than what is inside. “Just remember

that sometimes, the way you think about a person [is not] the way they actually are” (266). This proves how people judge others before meeting them or before seeing them. “A poem [can not] do its work if you only read snippets of it” (136). As one can clearly see, this show that if you judge something by its look, then you will not know how good it actually is. The theme do not judge a book by its cover is important to the reader because it is a significant life lesson.
An additional theme is real friends are forever. “You were my first partner in crime. I wanted you to be my last” (Paper Towns movie). This clearly shows that Margo and Quentin were friends that lasted until she left and how much their friendship had meant to her. “This was the first time in my life that so many things would never happen again” (Paper Towns movie). As the reader can see as Quentin’s high school senior year is coming to an end and he will not see his friends for a long time but during his journey to find Margo he realizes how much he will miss them. "[I am] gonna get a cell, and [I will] call you…” (304). This proves that Margo will do whatever it takes to talk to him no matter her situation. The reader will see that the theme real friends are forever is important to them in their current lives and in their future.
The final theme of the book is always be yourself.

“My parents have a shit ton of black Santas, but that’s okay. [They are] them.[I am] too obsessed with a reference website to answer my phone sometimes when my friends call, or my girlfriend. [That is] okay, too. [That is] me. You like me anyway. And I like you. [You are] funny, and [You are] smart, and you may show up late, but you always show up eventually” (194). This shows the reader the importance of accepting others for who they are even for their differences. “You keep expecting people not to be themselves” (Paper Towns movie). This demonstrates how people are so use to people not being themselves. “I thought maybe the paper cutout of a girl could start becoming real here also. And it seemed like a way to tell that paper girl who cared about popularity and clothes and everything else... “ (294). It is better being yourself than trying to be something that you are not even if it just feels wrong. The theme always be yourself is significant to today’s society and for the reader to understand and follow.

To conclude, in the book Paper Towns by John Green he tells the reader of Quentin and his friends. As the themes do not judge a book by its cover, real friends are forever, and always be yourself will drive the plot. The themes will teach the reader of life lessons like friendship, courage, and many other

things.