Introduction
The novel Looking for Alaska teaches the reader on how to manage challenges as they arise. Green captures the attention of the readers from all occupations by his funny, inspiring, and compelling approach to sharing the story from Miles’ point of view. This study argues that the first person perspective applied in the novel enables readers to find solutions to life’s mysteries. To unravel character’s challenges, the study will critically analyze the novel in two parts. The first part contains a summary of the story, while the second part is a discussion of the first person perspective as a literary device applied by Green.
Summary
In the novel Looking for Alaska, Miles Halter highlights the feelings of freshness, honesty, and heart. As the protagonist who is fascinated by last words of famous people, Miles decides to enroll in a boarding school for his junior high school. He meets Alaska Young, a wild, unpredictable, and attractive young woman with whom they have a mixed relationship. He goes on to draw attention to adolescent self-image, relationships, personal beliefs, fears and triumphs through a series of events that roll out in the rural Alabama boarding school. Miles goes on to enroll to a clique of the group, which remains in school all through and particularly befriends a circle of friends with unique characters. Alaska’s forceful personality renders his friends into a labyrinth of emotions, which compels them to find a way out, after her tragic road accident.
Analysis of the Point of View as a Literary Element
Green uses Mile’s perspective to narrate the story from the first-person point of view. This perspective enables the reader to capture both the awesome and anticipated thoughts of Green on girls, friends, and emotions. This outlook on every aspect of life is very vivid after Alaska dies. The reader navigates through the social and academic forums of the school and thus obtains an awkward feeling just as Miles himself. First person outlook is essential in developing varied settings within a novel. For instance, the reader suits to new surroundings alongside characters like Miles. Because of the first-person narration, the reader majors on the speaker’s perspective during the conversations and conflicts, thereby becoming enveloped in the sympathetic nature of first person narrator. Case in point, when the Weekday warriors haze Miles, the reader is obliged to become angry (Green 96).
Conclusion
Green’s compelling approach enable readers to unravel character’s challenges and in turn unriddle personal labyrinth. This is majorly enclosed in the first person’s outlook as applied by the protagonist. Miles joins a boarding school to find life experiences but eventually manages to solve personal labyrinth of suffering. Green assists readers in assessing their place in the universe and dealing with relationships and issues as they arise.
Work Cited
Green, John. Looking for Alaska. Dutton Juvenile, 2005. Print