Looking for alaska plot analysis
Sixteen year old Miles’ twin passions are reading biographies and collecting the last words of the famous. Deciding to search for, in the last words of the great Francois Rabelais, the ‘great perhaps’, Miles leaves his family in Florida and moves to Alabama to complete his final two years of school at Culver Creek Preparatory School. Miles is befriended by his gifted roommate, Chip, who prefers the name “The Colonel”, and included in the Colonel’s group of friends, among them Alaska, vibrant, charismatic and dynamic, but also deeply depressed. Alaska is not only brilliant at devising pranks, but drinks and has sexual intercourse. When Miles falls for (and lusts after) Alaska, she becomes critical to his story. Slowly the reader builds a picture of the main characters as each reveals their story. When Alaska dies in a car crash, her favorite last line from Simon Bolivar, “How will I ever get out of this labyrinth?” takes on a poignant meaning. The story changes as Miles and the Colonel come to terms with the loss of a friend who was central to their lives. Only by discovering the real cause of Alaska’s death can they overcome their guilt at surviving her.
John Green’s masterpiece revolves around a night that plays a central role and an important part in this whole young adult fiction. This can be seen as the book starts at 136 days before a particular moment in the book, and as the countdown goes on, building up the suspense throughout till the last page of the book.
The whole plot of the book can be divided into the following categories as it takes its turns and twists.
Exposition
The novel begins introducing Miles Halter as an introverted kid who is beginning his first year at Culver Creek High School as a junior. His roommate, Chip “The Colonel” gives Miles the nickname of “Pudge” & introduces him to the school. The Colonel takes Pudge to meet his longtime friend, Alaska, whom Pudge develops feelings for.
Rising Action
Alaska sets up a pre-prank on the
John Green’s masterpiece revolves around a night that plays a central role and an important part in this whole young adult fiction. This can be seen as the book starts at 136 days before a particular moment in the book, and as the countdown goes on, building up the suspense throughout till the last page of the book.
The whole plot of the book can be divided into the following categories as it takes its turns and twists.
Exposition
The novel begins introducing Miles Halter as an introverted kid who is beginning his first year at Culver Creek High School as a junior. His roommate, Chip “The Colonel” gives Miles the nickname of “Pudge” & introduces him to the school. The Colonel takes Pudge to meet his longtime friend, Alaska, whom Pudge develops feelings for.
Rising Action
Alaska sets up a pre-prank on the