Symbolism In Looking For Alaska

between Alaska and himself. Pudge’s fascination with Alaska is that she is so different from him. In his eyes, she takes him away from his ordinary life and brings him closer to the unknown. In many ways, Pudge’s fascination prevents him from seeing their similarities and truly enjoying the time he spends with Alaska.

“I know so many last words. But I will never know hers” (142). This quote is my personal favorite. Miles is known so well because he always remembers everyone's last words. He even remembers Princess Diana’s last words before her car accident. Princess Diana said, "Oh God. What's happened?" Movie star James Dean said, "They've got to see us," just before slamming his Porsche into another car. The sad truth is that he will never know what Alaska’s last words were before she died.

“When you stopped wishing things wouldn't fall apart, you'd stop suffering when they did” (196). I like this quote because I can easily relate it to myself. You can not expect to not be sad when something you were wishing for does not happen. Miles is trying to find a way to think about healing from Alaska's death and the guilt he feels about it. He starts to think about his desire for Alaska, and the idea that everything changes whether you want it to or not. he misses her but there is nothing he can do about it.

“I realized it in waves and we held on to each other crying and I thought, God we must look so lame, but it doesn’t matter when you have now realized, all the time later, that you are still alive” (214).

While visiting the site of Alaska’s car crash, Pudge and the Colonel are overcome by their emotions. Pudge realizes that Alaska is truly gone and understands that he and the Colonel are still alive, and that nothing else matters. Pudge’s relationship with Alaska was important to him. Her death felt like the death of his new life at Culver Creek, but in that moment at the crash site, Pudge is able to see beyond Alaska and finally focus on the

present.

12. List all of the major and minor characters in the story (minimum of EIGHT). Next to each,
explain his/her role in the story, his/her significance to the plot and other characters and
choose at least two adjectives to describe him/her:
Miles Halter is the main character. Miles is from Florida, where he was raised. He decided to go to a boarding school in Alabama named Culver Creek He is a junior in high school who is obsessed with the last words of dead people. He is extremely weak-willed when it comes to social interactions so Chip becomes his go to friend. Miles is not a very judgmental person. When he first meets Alaska, and she is telling Chip a story about a summer experience, Miles is captivated by her right away. Miles is a vulnerable character who often finds himself in hard situations because he is very confused and very insecure about himself. He falls so easily for Alaska because she gives him attention. Miles is a follower, and not a leader.
Alaska Young is a gorgeous, clever, funny, self-destructive and fascinating character. She’s a very flirtatious person, and she’s constantly flirting with Miles, even though she has a boyfriend. Alaska never seems to be in the same mood every day. It makes it hard for anyone to figure out what she’s feeling and what is wrong when she is in a bad mood. She shuts everybody out and becomes condescending, cold and even rude towards her closest friends. Her mother passed away when she was younger, and she thinks it was her fault because she had not been able to call 911. She was in shock and she didn’t know what to do. Alaska blames herself for this and lives with a huge amount of regret and guilt. She does not like to be reminded of her mother and the guilt attached to it. Alaska is psychologically strong, and she does not let much bother her. She is an independent person.
Chip Martin is a very blunt and straightforward character. He got his nickname, the Colonel, because he is the mastermind behind all of Alaska’s prank plans. He is a genius, and he skipped a few grades. He takes advanced classes and excels at almost every subject. Chip is very protective of his mother and he states that the best day of his life would be the day he can offer a house to his mom. He is a very sarcastic and humorous person, who is always trying to make sense out of every situations presented to him. He became best friends with Alaska when they met at Culver Creek in freshmen year. They became such good friends quickly, because they both shared an interest in booze and mischief. He is Miles’ very best friend.
Takumi Hikohito is a shy individual who is part of Chips group of friends.He helps Miles understand how moody Alaska can get, and to not take it personally. He has feelings towards Alaska but he is aware that he cannot have her. Takumi is a big help when it comes to pranks because he is very fast. He is a very mysterious character, and it is also hard to understand how he feels.
Lara Buterskaya is russian exchange student who has recently come to Culver Creek. She is friends with Alaska, and Alaska tries to set her and Miles up many times. Eventually, her and Miles start dating but it does not last long. She takes part on the barn prank with Miles. She is the first girl Miles kisses and dates. She makes him discover many things about himself.
Mr. Starnes is the dean of students at Culver Creek. He is the person who enforces the discipline upon the students, and many of the students dislike him. He is a very protective person, and simply does not want to let any harm happen. He is also very strict with certain rules at Culver Creek. He understands when Miles and Chip pull pranks. He does not always punish everyone because he is an understanding person.
Dolores is the Colonel’s mother. She lives in a trailer home. She is very poor and works at a waffle house. She invites Alaska and Miles over for Thanksgiving when she hears from her son that they will be spending Thanksgiving on campus without a family. She is a very caring person and loves her son more than anything. Chip is her source of motivation and she is extremely proud of him because he got into Culver Creek on a full paid scholarship.
Jake is Alaska’s boyfriend. She doesn't like the fact that he lives so far away from her. The distance is a big issue for their relationship and any future they may have. He lives in another town, and comes to visit Alaska every once in awhile. According to Miles, he looks like a catalog model. Alaska claims to love him deeply, but is always flirting with other guys and she cheats on him with Miles.

13. Describe and explain the significance of the opening chapter/scene: In the first chapter, Miles Halter is introduced as the main character. Miles is leaving his home and his parents in Florida to attend a boarding school in Alabama. His mother throws him a going away party. Miles does not expect anybody to show up to this party. Two people from his school show up, Marie and Will, but Miles does not feel in any way excited about this. It is revealed that Miles does not excel at small talk or socializing with others. His father and his uncles have attended Culver Creek, the boarding school he is going to attend, so this is family related. When asked why he's leaving, Miles tells his parents he's going "to seek a Great Perhaps" (5). These are the last words of the poet Francois Rabelais, and they have stuck with Miles. Miles loves people's last words.

14. Describe and explain the significance of the climax scene: The climax of this novel comes with the mysterious death of Alaska Young, who dies after leaving Miles and Colonel in a drunken state.