Like in Vincent van Gogh's The Starry Night, Looking for Alaska is magnificent. I see the large obtrusion to the left of the painting to be symbolic of Alaska's death and the stars are the memories that she left with those that she loved. Just like the obtrusion in the painting is sudden and apparent and drawing of attention so is Alaska's death. Both represent mystery and suspension and in that they are able to embody themes. In the so beautiful painting you have a large completely ugly mass and it is hard to believe that both exist in such congruence. When you think of the painting you cant help but to think about it and when you think of Alaska you cant help to not think about the horrible way she dies. Then the small church and town represents how belittle everything in her life is compared to her death and the other symbolic meaning of the blob. The other symbol that it represents is her mothers death and how that put a shadow all over Alaska's life. In the top right you see the moon bright and shining like how Alaska radiated happiness and youthfulness. Overall I feel this painting embodies Alaska's life and death.
In both of John Greens books The Fault in our Stars and Looking for Alaska, the main characters have obsessions about different things one was last words and the other the expresssion "ok". In Looking for Alaska the obsession of memorizing last words plays a big part in influencing Pudge's decision. Pudge also uses last words as a form of communication and a way to bond with others whom he would never know. By getting to know the old Pudge is able to influence his now and make things happen for himself that would have previously never been possible. Pudge's obsession in the novel helps to be a driving force to him finding out about Alaska's death. Since last words have always been a thing of closure and happiness for Pudge the need for them is in his best interests. For Pudge last words have always been the closure great people had. When he is denied this by the way of Alaska's death he is forced to explore her life in her death and find out what happened to her; however, since Pudge never will get his last words he will never get his closure and he will be forever looking for Alaska.
Step one, you say, "We need to talk." He walks, you say, "Sit down. It's just a talk." He smiles politely back at you You stare politely right on through Some sort of window to your right As he goes left and you stay right Between the lines of fear and blame You begin to wonder why you came
how it Relates: Just like how in the song the girl wonders why she came so does Alaska. Alaska contemplates multiple times why she is still here and what the heck is she doing.
Where did I go wrong? I lost a friend Somewhere along in the bitterness And I would have stayed up with you all night Had I known how to save a life
how it relates: Unlike in the song Alaska knows where she went wrong, she went wrong when she didn't call 911. The simple act effects her just like how it effects the person in the song who also didn't know how to save a life.
Let him know that you know best 'Cause after all you do know best Try to slip past his defense Without granting innocence Lay down a list of what is wrong The things you've told him all along Pray to God, he hears you And I pray to God, he hears you
how it relates: the only thing Alaska can do is pray to God that he hears her because she is dead. Alaska like the person in the song believes herself to be innocent and that she knows best.
And where did I go wrong? I lost a friend Somewhere along in the bitterness And I would have stayed up with you all night Had I known how to save a life
how it relates: Unlike in the song Alaska knows where she went wrong, she went wrong when she didn't call 911. The simple act effects her just like how it effects the person in the song who also didn't know how to save a life.
As he begins to raise his voice You lower yours and grant him one last choice Drive until you lose the road Or break with the ones you've followed He will do one of two things He will admit to everything Or he'll say he's just not the same And you'll begin to wonder why you came
how it relates: Unlike in the song Alaska would be the one saying she is just not the same and she would be the one raising her voice, but like in the song she will drive till she losses the road... figuratively speaking at least.
Where did I go wrong? I lost a friend Somewhere along in the bitterness And I would have stayed up with you all night Had I known how to save a life
how it relates: Unlike in the song Alaska knows where she went wrong, she went wrong when she didn't call 911. The simple act effects her just like how it effects the person in the song who also didn't know how to save a life.
Where did I go wrong? I lost a friend Somewhere along in the bitterness And I would have stayed up with you all night Had I known how to save a life
How to save a life
how it relates: Just like in the book Alaska is obsessed with how to save a life. After she couldn't do it she hasnt let it leave her mind and she lets it haunt her day and night.
How to save a life
Where did I go wrong? I lost a friend Somewhere along in the bitterness And I would have stayed up with you all night Had I known how to save a life
how it relates: Unlike in the song Alaska knows where she went wrong, she went wrong when she didn't call 911. The simple act effects her just like how it effects the person in the song who also didn't know how to save a life.
Where did I go wrong? I lost a friend Somewhere along in the bitterness And I would have stayed up with you all night Had I known how to save a life How to save a life
How to save a life
how it relates: In the song and in the book the main characters are in complicated. Also alike is the obsession with the loss of a loved one and the obsession with how to save a life.