The use of symbolism in literature is very vital for the author to further the readers understanding of context in the novel. This is especially evident in the novel Looking for Alaska by John Green, where symbolism is used as a critical literary device for explaining the deeper meaning to simplex objects in the novel. The use of symbolism is found in three distinctive objects of white flowers, cigarettes, and “famous last words” all shown throughout the novel. As the story develop aspects of the three objects tie together in explaining a deeper meaning of the motif of death to the understanding of the characters in the novel and the reader. In John Green Looking for Alaska symbolism plays a key role in providing importance and explanation
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Miles is always going to wonder what Alaska’s last words are, because since she was alone in the car, nobody got to hear the last thing she uttered. “A lot of times, people die how they live. And so last words tell me a lot about who people were, and why they became the sort of people biographies get written about. Does that make sense?" (Green. The last day. 45) The quote shows how much Miles idolized Alaska, he knows that she is the type of person biographies are written about. Miles adored her in un-imaginable ways, “If people were rain, I was drizzle and she was a hurricane.” (Green. 49 before. 32) Alaska is very mysterious and secretive which would explain why Miles is so intrigued by her last words. He figured if he knew her last words, he could have some type of insight on what kind of life she lived. Miles’ interest in her last words symbolizes the everlasting love he has for her, the hope that she loves him as well, from beyond the …show more content…
The first symbol Green uses is white flowers. White is normally used as a symbol of purity. He used the flowers to symbolize the purity and innocence lost when Alaska mother passed away. However, they also symbolize the fact that she regained those two qualities when she died. Another symbol used in the novel is cigarettes. Cigarettes represent the friendship between Miles, Colonel and Alaska. They also symbolize death and the inner workings of Alaska’s mind. Finally, “famous last words” are the last symbol used in Looking For Alaska. Miles believed that last words represented the life they lived and thats why he was so curious about Alaska’s. “Famous last words” symbolize Miles’ undying love and curiosity for Alaska Young. Alaska was walking mystery. The way she spoke, her thoughts, even her death was mysterious. The use of symbolism allows the reader to develop deeper intellectual thoughts about the characters and situations without the author clearly stating them. Each symbol used in Looking For Alaska relates back to the explanation and meaning of the use of the motif of death in the
Miles is always going to wonder what Alaska’s last words are, because since she was alone in the car, nobody got to hear the last thing she uttered. “A lot of times, people die how they live. And so last words tell me a lot about who people were, and why they became the sort of people biographies get written about. Does that make sense?" (Green. The last day. 45) The quote shows how much Miles idolized Alaska, he knows that she is the type of person biographies are written about. Miles adored her in un-imaginable ways, “If people were rain, I was drizzle and she was a hurricane.” (Green. 49 before. 32) Alaska is very mysterious and secretive which would explain why Miles is so intrigued by her last words. He figured if he knew her last words, he could have some type of insight on what kind of life she lived. Miles’ interest in her last words symbolizes the everlasting love he has for her, the hope that she loves him as well, from beyond the …show more content…
The first symbol Green uses is white flowers. White is normally used as a symbol of purity. He used the flowers to symbolize the purity and innocence lost when Alaska mother passed away. However, they also symbolize the fact that she regained those two qualities when she died. Another symbol used in the novel is cigarettes. Cigarettes represent the friendship between Miles, Colonel and Alaska. They also symbolize death and the inner workings of Alaska’s mind. Finally, “famous last words” are the last symbol used in Looking For Alaska. Miles believed that last words represented the life they lived and thats why he was so curious about Alaska’s. “Famous last words” symbolize Miles’ undying love and curiosity for Alaska Young. Alaska was walking mystery. The way she spoke, her thoughts, even her death was mysterious. The use of symbolism allows the reader to develop deeper intellectual thoughts about the characters and situations without the author clearly stating them. Each symbol used in Looking For Alaska relates back to the explanation and meaning of the use of the motif of death in the