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.

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