Julius & Paige Groupwork

Bold is Paige, normal is Julius

1. I believe the true significance of the title of the novel, "Looking For Alaska" in my opinion, is that Alaska's friends don't stop looking for her even though she is dead. They are searching even harder for every important piece of information they can find that will help them understand the person she was and help understand what led to her death. They are looking for her in the metaphorical sense. They are searching for a peace at heart that helps make it possible to go on and live a productive life even though the tragedy caused so much heartache for them.

2. I consider the very last chapter to be the most important in the novel because it captures the essence and overall meaning of the literary masterpiece “Looking for Alaska”. This chapter culminates every circumstance throughout the story and leaves the reader with a sense of satisfaction. Not only does it leave the reader satisfied, but it concludes maturity on behalf of Pudge whom finally has closure with how his friends and he will escape from the unsolvable labyrinth. Throughout the novel Pudge nor his close friends, including Alaska until her death, knew much about how to escape the maze of life and its sometimes seemingly unbearable traits and hardships. From the time of Alaska’s death, Pudge - and the novel - took a turn for the worse, but gratefully in the last chapter resurrected himself to once again seek his Great Perhaps.

3. I believe the most important quote in “Looking for Alaska” was the referenced Thomas Edison quote that Pudge used which was, “It’s very beautiful over there”. Like Pudge stated in the novel, one may not know where there is, but we believe it is somewhere, and we hope it is beautiful. These devout last words of Thomas Edison were perfect to use in the story especially put into context as Pudge did. These words speak volumes to a reader and emphasize the meaning of the work as a whole in a context unimaginable. This is possible due to the fact that throughout the story Pudge and his friends are unaware of their belonging in the world, they see no way out of the labyrinth of life. But towards the end, after the tragedy occurs, Pudge and The Colonel begin to figure out a little more about their meaning and place in the world day by day to make their time in the labyrinth bearable.

5. I believe Pudge is the most important character in the novel because he not only demonstrates a complete transformation from beginning to end, but he helps provide for others, such as, The Colonel in various forms. Related to the novel Pudge is a standout character; he exhibits a complete moral and emotional shift and always is compelling to the reader. So in search for the Great Perhaps, he encounters love, tragedy, friendship, and life’s agonizing adversities, which is in direct correlation with the stories overall message. To overcome such traits he strays away from destitution, caused by the loss of his beloved friend Alaska, and uses his loss for his own benefit. He first thought of life as something that comes and goes with nothing in between or after, but near the conclusion he finds himself yearning for knowledge of himself and of Alaska. This ultimately leads him to continue on his search for a more-than-minor life and the way out of the labyrinth. Conclusively Pudge is the most important character to the meaning of the novel as a whole.

 

8. In the novel "Looking For Alaska", I (Paige) believe I relate most to Alaska. In some ways, I can see myself of how she comes to blaming herself and feeling guilty for her mother's death; where in my shoes, I blame myself for my mother's drug addiction, and the brokenness of my family. one other aspect that relates us is that Alaska doesn't share her real feelings with people. She is like a mystery. Where I don't share my feelings with much people. I go about everyday acting happy sometimes when I am upset on the inside.

14. In the novel, "Looking For Alaska" the main character, Miles "Pudge" Halter, is related to the main character, Charlie, in "Perks of Being A Wallflower" by facing the same situations such as, many instances of heartbreak which are the heartbreak of Charlie losing his friends for a while, and Pudge , danger, death, and many moments of decision, all of which affect the rest of their stories. Not only have they both experienced the same situations, but they also started off inexperienced with life, and sheltered in some way, and in both stories it shows how both characters are "saved" and taken in by important friends in the books. One more addition comparison is that both say a meaningful quote that helps influence the book. Pudge says "seeking a great perhaps" and Charlie says "I feel infinite." Both quotes are very powerful, and not only help carry out the stories, but kind of show Charlie and Pudge as who they are.