Looking for Alaska

The book Looking For Alaska by John Green takes place in Alabama at Culver Creek boarding High School. When new student, Miles Halter comes to the school as a junior, he instantly makes lots of friends who are compassionate and kind but aren’t necessarily a good influence on him. He is immediately absorbed in a great deal of unruly, and harmful activities such as smoking and drinking. Near the end of the year, Miles and his friends are forced to deal with the sudden death of their close friend Alaska Young who was killed in a so called “suicidal” car crash.  Throughout the story, symbolism is used to express the characters emotions and feelings.

One example of symbolism in the story is the cigarettes. I think the cigarettes are used to symbolize death and self-destruction. For example, the author states,  “Why do you smoke so damn fast? I asked…. She smiled with all the delight of a kid on Christmas morning and said, y’all smoke to enjoy it. I smoke to die.” This shows how within everyone there is a speck of self-loathing.

Another example of symbolism in the story is the smoking hole. Throughout the story, the smoking hole is used to symbolize friendship and independence. For example, the author states,“ cooled by the creek and the shade of the bridge, I felt unhot for the first time in weeks. The Colonel dispensed the cigarettes. Takumi passes; the rest of us lit up.” This shows how the smoking hole is a safe place where the characters can talk and connect to each other.

Overall, I loved this book because it used symbolism to connect the characters. Friendship is huge part of the book because it allows the story to unfold and it lets the characters express their emotions on the present events and situations. I think the author did a great job displaying feelings and emotions from the characters. I think that doing this really helped the readers connect to the characters and the situations presented in the book.